"Spitfire Summer" - 5/6

[amine_eyes]

Masterpost :)

Part 4/6


Jim turned into the small driveway of Bones’ house and killed the engine, looking up at the rambling vines and dark windows, the white of the cottage walls slightly glowing in the darkening sky. He sighed and swung his leg over the side, leaning the bike against the stone wall that surrounded Bones’ house, shoving the door open with a well-placed shove to the top right corner. Walking inside, he looked at the mirror on the side of the hallway, and ran a hand through his hair, hastily making it look less like it had survived a horrible incident with a hedge. Even if this goes so horribly wrong that I end up living in a tent on the side of the airfield, Jim thought to himself as he removed his tie and unbuttoned his top button, slinging the tie onto the banister, I’ll still look vaguely human. Toeing off his boots, he padded through to the living room, pausing in the doorway.

On the sofa sat Bones, elbows on knees, looking into the flickering fire with an intensity that normally accompanied his games of darts at the local pub. He was still dressed in his uniform, grimy from the removal of people caught in blast zones, and Jim’s heart skipped a beat.

Was there any logical reason for falling in love with this guy? He asked himself, and sighed, rubbing a hand over his face to try and remove the sense of fatigue sinking into him. He stepped forward, and the floor creaked under his foot.

Bones started and looked around, standing up as he saw Jim. Jim grinned a bit and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, trying not to notice the worry in Bones’ eyes turning to relief.

“Jim, I heard what happened, is everyone okay?”

“Dawson is off to speak with Uhura about Spock, but otherwise, people are as okay as they could be.”

“And you?”

Jim raised his eyebrows as he smiled, hand still rubbing at the back of his neck as though it would solve everything.

“To be honest? I’m … in a bit of a bind. Bones,” Jim stepped forward, and bit his lip, looking at Bones, “why did you – damn, this is hard to say …”

Bones raised his eyebrows, and took a step forward, heading round the sofa.

“What is?”

Jim took a deep breath, and looked Bones in the eyes.

“Why did you say you loved me?”

Bones stopped, and swallowed, speaking hesitantly.

“Jim, I’ve never said that -”

“In the brig. You said you loved me. Okay, you didn’t say it but your lips formed those shapes, why?”

“Jim,” Bones shook his head, “in case you had failed to notice, I would never say that. Especially since we’re friends, I wouldn’t say that I -”

“Would it make it easier if I said it?”

Bones’ jaw dropped in response. Jim ran the hand that was on the back of his neck through his hair and over his face, looking back at Bones.

“Would it make it easier if I said I love you?”

“Wh – why – why would you say that?”

Jim spread his hands out in appeal.

“Maybe ‘cos it’s true? Maybe,” he drew a breath and looked at the flickering fire, hoping it would provide him with a magical device that would explain everything for him, hoping that he hadn’t fucked everything up and removed any chance for happiness, “maybe it’s because I can’t imagine life without your bear expression in the morning as you try to find the coffee, the quirk of your eyebrows when I say something spectacularly stupid, the half-smile as you try to get me to go to bed after a long shift and I refuse to move, your ability to put up with my snoring even through the walls of the two rooms. Maybe it’s the fact that,” he looked back and blinked, “I love you. Have for a while, just never really wanted to notice before.”

The room was silent – only broken by the crackle of the fire – and in the amber light Jim saw Bones shift his jaw to speak.

“I thought you liked women.”

Jim raised his eyebrows.

“What?”

Bones gestured around the room as though hoping it would speak for him.

“Gaila? Or was that just a lie?”

“Says the guy who was married and had a child.”

Bones huffed in resignation, leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, he looked back at Jim.

“Jim, I …”

Jim cut in.

“Actually, I’m being an idiot, I should really go, in fact, I’ll just grab my stuff and -”

“Jim, for once, stop babbling and listen to me.”

Jim stopped and Bones sighed, rubbing his own hand across his forehead as he looked at Jim with a strange expression on his face.

“Yes, I said I love you in the brig. Damnit, I’m thirty-seven, never thought I would know love again, and you completely turn me about so I don’t know what’s up and down, right or wrong, or even quite frankly, whether I’m going mad. I know what happens in this sort of situation, hell, it lost me my wife and child, but … I don’t care. Not if it means,” he paused and sighed, biting his lip before he finished speaking, “not if it means losing you.”

Silence fell again, and Jim walked slowly round the sofa, sitting gingerly on the end. He looked at Bones, and Bones turned and looked back.

“You … mean it?”

Bones quirked his eyebrows, and smiled slightly, shrugging his shoulders.

“Wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.”

Jim nodded, and leant back on the sofa.

“So what happens now?”

“What do you mean what happens now?”

Jim covered his eyes with his hand and dragged it down his face to try and remove the tiredness.

“What happens now? Do we stay as friends, or …” he looked at Bones, “do we maybe, try to see where this leads?”

Bones sighed.

“Jim, I don’t want you thrown into prison.”

“Then we won’t get caught. Simple as that, Bones.”

“How can you even want to talk to me after today?” Bones said, and Jim huffed.

“Don’t worry you can repay me for that by eternally apologising till the end of your days, but this … this thing, that doesn’t get affected by it. Just means that I,” he caught a yawn and looked at Bones, “will be holding off going any further in the relationship for a while.”

Bones nodded slightly, and a smile appeared on his face. Jim grinned in return, and yawned again. Bones laughed slightly, and stood up, stretching as he did so.

“Come on. Bed, I think.”

“For both of us?” Jim asked, sniggering slightly at the flush appearing on Bones’ face.

“Infant,” he eventually replied and Jim laughed, standing up.

As he stood, he and Bones bumped into each other and they burst into apologies, quickly breaking apart and laughing self-consciously. Jim gestured for Bones to go ahead, and they climbed the stairs and paused at the top, both looking at each other and waiting for the other to make the first move.

“Well … goodnight, Bones,” said Jim, shifting from foot to foot and shoving his hands in his pocket.

“Yeah … you too …” Bones replied, and started to turn towards the door.

He paused, and turned back, looking at Jim who hadn’t moved from his spot.

“Jim?”

“Yeah?”

“I … well … erm …” Bones smiled crookedly and Jim felt his heart twist at the sight, relishing in the fact that he could actually acknowledge the feeling in public now.

“Well, that is to say, erm, that, oh screw it,” and Bones stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Jim. Jim lifted his arms out of his pocket and slowly put them around Bones, breathing in the smell of antiseptic and dirt that covered Bones from head to toe. They stood like that for a long moment, until Jim lowered his head slowly onto Bones’ shoulder, feeling the solidness below his cheek as he laid his head on. Eventually he spoke, quietly in order to not disturb the peace and new development.

“You realise, Bones … you smell.”

“Not like you smell any better Jim,” retorted Bones, his comment slightly muffled into the fabric of Jim’s shirt as he held on.

“Thanks, Bones, glad you don’t hold back the truth,” Jim said, lifting his head and laughing, falling silent as he realised how close he and Bones were. He licked his lips, and spoke even quieter.

“Bones …”

“Yeah,” whispered Bones and Jim took it for a sign of encouragement. Slowly, he closed the gap between them, and gently placed his lips on Bones’.

He didn’t move; just let his lips touch Bones as each other’s breath blew onto the other’s face from their noses. He breathed in the deeper smell of Bones, pure Bones that was dark and smelt like home, and shifted his lips, softly closing them and opening again and drinking in the smell of Bones that made his heart sing.

Bones shifted in his grip, and for a moment Jim’s heart stopped at the thought that Bones would pull away and say that it was all a joke, he didn’t mean any of it – all he did was sigh against Jim’s lips and move his own, soft and gentle.

They stayed like that for a long moment, kissing gently and it wasn’t till an owl hooted outside that they parted, Jim looking at Bones and smiling softly.

“Well, goodnight then, Bones …”

Bones smiled and unfolded his arms from around Jim’s body.

“Night, Jim …”

Bones started to pull back and stopped, looking at Jim with a grin.

“You realise, you have to let go at some point, Jim.”

“I would, Bones, but I’m stuck.”

Bones rolled his eyes.

“Really, Jim.”

Jim pulled on his arms and winced.

“Yep – I think my arms have seized up and now I can’t move.”

Bones looked up to the ceiling as if asking for divine help.

“Please, give me strength. You’re actually stuck?”

“Hey! Give me some credit here, Bones!”

Bones laughed, and reached back around Jim, securing his arms around Jim’s back.

“Fair enough Jim …”

“So … what happens now? I mean, we’ve both got to get some sleep and I can’t actually let go at the moment.”

Bones looked at Jim and Jim shrugged helplessly.

“You could … well … stay … in my bed? Just sleeping, that’s all,” he hurriedly added and Jim laughed loudly for the first time that evening.

“You’ll put up with my snoring?”

Bones shook his head in disbelief, smiling as he did so.

“I don’t have a choice, do I … what with you being attached to my back …”

Jim dropped his head onto Bones’ shoulder, laughing as he did so.

“You could try and sleep standing up; I hear it’s very beneficial nowadays.”

Bones laughed, walking backwards and through the doorway of his bedroom, Jim stepping with him and keeping his head on Bones’ shoulder. Bones’ legs collided with the back of the bed and they fell onto it, Jim landing on top with an “Oof!” from Bones and a groan from Jim, who promptly rolled over so that his arms wouldn’t be trapped underneath Bones. Jim looked into Bones’ eyes and blinked, yawning as he did so.

“I’ll try not to snore too loudly,” he spoke through the yawn and Bones sighed, snuggling into the mattress.

“I’ll believe that when it happens, now hush … go to sleep …”

The only sound which filled the room was the sound of settling breathing, and the occasional clink of the bedsprings as they shifted slightly in sleep – both with small smiles on their faces.


-x-x-x-x-x-x-


Leonard shifted slightly as he came to consciousness, and blinked blearily. Nothing. He couldn’t see Jim in front of him. He reached behind, no arms, and he sat up, looking at the deserted room.

Shit, he thought, and then heard a crash and muffled swearing from downstairs. He got up, hurrying downstairs, and burst through the kitchen door to see Jim kneeling on the floor, a saucepan in one hand and a lid in the other as he started to get back up. He looked at Leonard and shrugged, getting up and placing the pan and lid on the table. He grinned and shifted on the spot.

“Erm, sorry, didn’t mean to wake you, I just -”

“It’s okay, you … you’re not hurt?”

Jim waved him off in response, turning back to the table and putting the pan on the oven, turning on the gas. Turning back, he smiled, and leaned against the table.

“Nah, just clumsy. Luckily I didn’t spill the scrambled egg stuff on the floor – would have made a hell of a mess!”

Leonard blinked, and stepped into the room.

“Scrambled eggs?”

“Yeah … I’m ... I thought you’d like some.”

Jim looked at Leonard, his smile turning into a worried look, and Leonard felt his heart skip a beat as he replied.

“I’d love some … thanks, Jim.”

Jim nodded, letting the smile return to his face as he turned back to the oven, stirring the mixture as it started to cook.

“Okay then, if you get the coffee sorted, this’ll only take a couple of minutes.”

Leonard nodded, heading towards the coffee and preparing two mugs, wondering if they were going to talk about last night, or continue like nothing had happened. As he waited for the water to boil, he looked at Jim, who was concentrating furiously on stirring the eggs, and he swallowed the dry feeling that came into his mouth.

“So, Jim … about last night -”

Jim stopped stirring and looked at Leonard, an indescribable look on his face.

“What about it?”

Leonard shifted and put his hands in his pockets, for want of something better to do. As he did so, he realised that he still hadn’t had a wash yet, and was in the same smelly uniform as last night.

“Well … um … how do you – well, feel about – what I mean to say is, well, what happens now?”

Jim looked down briefly and then back at Leonard, holding the spoon in his hand as he spoke.

“Well, whatever you want, Bones. I thought that perhaps breakfast could happen first though, ‘cos I’m starving.”

Leonard snorted, leaning back against the kitchen side.

“As if you are ever NOT hungry!”

Jim rolled his eyes in response, leaning against the oven.

“As if you’re any better, Mr-I-must-have-at-least-three-meals-a-day-or-I-turn-into-a-bear.”

Leonard raised his eyebrow.

“A bear?”

“It was the first thing I could think of,” Jim admitted and Leonard laughed, watching in delight as Jim laughed as well. They fell silent and stared at each other, Leonard feeling his heart pound louder as he looked at Jim.

The kettle whistled and they jumped, Leonard turning back to the kettle and pouring the water just as he heard Jim’s loud “Shit!”

He spun round, kettle still in his hand as he looked forward, and started laughing. Jim was flapping one hand through the smoke that was rising from the eggs as his other quickly turned off the heat. He stared down into the blackened pan and grinned ruefully, turning and facing Leonard.

“I guess eggs is off the menu, Bones …”

Leonard couldn’t help it; he continued laughing even as he tried to put the kettle down on the side. Jim narrowed his eyes.

“You’re not helping, Bones!”

Leonard tried to speak through his laughter.

“You! And the eggs! Your face!”

“Screw you, Bones!”

Leonard just continued laughing, and Jim walked over, poking him in the side.

“You are an ass, Bones!”

Leonard tried batting him away, but he over-balanced and fell to the floor, dragging Jim with him. His head hit the cold tiles and Leonard groaned, while Jim propped himself up by his hands on either side of Leonard’s face.

“You quite finished?”

Leonard sighed happily and looked up at Jim.

“No, I think I’m going to treasure that image in my head for a long while …” his voice trailed off as he realised how close he and Jim were. He swallowed, watching Jim’s face for any reaction.

Jim blinked and started to move back, and Leonard lifted his hand, putting it against Jim’s cheek. Jim stopped, looked down, and Leonard lost all track of whatever thought led him to here, he just looked into Jim’s eyes.

“Your eyes are really blue,” he blurted out, and Jim raised his eyebrows.

“That’s your first thought? Really?”

“Oh, hush you,” Leonard said and stroked Jim’s cheek, “I never really noticed before. And what with … well …”

“This?” Jim replied, even as he smiled and leaned into Leonard’s touch. Leonard shrugged, and run his hand over the softness of his cheek.

“Yes, this … Jim?”

Jim looked at him, and smiled even as he spoke.

“Yes?”

Leonard licked his lips and leant upwards.

“I think I’m going to kiss you now …”

Leonard placed his lips on Jim’s and softly moved them; revelling in how different this was to what he’d experienced before. Jim let his weight fall onto Leonard’s chest and brought the hand that wasn’t supporting him up to rest on Leonard’s shoulder, letting Leonard simply kiss him.

Leonard moved away, and smiled.

“Jim … I …”

Jim placed a finger on his lips and Leonard quieted.

“Not right now Bones, just … let’s just stay here for a moment …”

Leonard nodded, and brought up his other arm to wrap around Jim’s back.

“Okay,” he whispered, and the two of them lay on the floor, while the smoke from the eggs drifted across the kitchen and their coffees cooled.


-x-x-x-x-x-x-


Nyota stepped inside the garden and looked at the figure sitting on the bench by the tree, folded over as though studying a book. She sighed, and stepped forward, her bare feet getting wet from the early morning dew as she pulled her dressing gown tighter around herself from the chill in the air, acknowledging as she did so, the fact that this cold would only last till the last glimpses of night left, then, it would go back to the heat and brilliant blue skies that this summer had been –

A Spitfire summer, she thought to herself, and she settled onto the bench next to the figure. Up close, Spock was soaked through, and she resisted the urge to go and get a towel and a hot drink for him. Instead, she merely placed her hand on his arm, and waited.

A long moment passed, and she almost lifted her hand off, but then he lifted one of his, and placed it on top. A deep sigh and he lifted his head, looking at her.

“It is too early, Nyota, you should go back to sleep.”

She tilted her head and smiled softly.

“Would you go to bed, Spock?”

He dropped his shoulders and looked out at the rest of the garden, watching the shadow of the tree pass over the flowers in their beds.

“It … is not that simple, Nyota.”

Nyota took her other hand and cupped his cheek, turning his head back to face her.

“Spock … it is always that simple.”

He looked at her, and dipped his head, looking at their joined hands. When he spoke, it was with a whisper.

“I froze … how can I fly again? I can’t lead the squadron into battle if I freeze.”

Nyota waited, and eventually he began to speak again.

“I … I can’t fly if I’m like this.”

“Spock … you were born to fly. No, Spock,” she lifted his head and he looked at her, and Nyota smiled softly, “if you were not able to fly, you would not have survived this long. You froze, but that doesn’t make you unable to fly ever again – can you imagine never being behind the controls of an aeroplane?”

They stayed in silence as the last scraps of night let and the sun started to glint on the dewy grass. Nyota felt the beams of light start to warm her feet but she didn’t look, she stayed looking at Spock.

After what seemed like eternity, he sighed a deep sigh, looking at her.

“That may be true, but how will I be a part of the squadron?”

“Could you not fly with them still?”

“Yes, but I was their commanding officer, and I froze in battle.”

“Could you not be the second in command? Like you were before?”

Spock twisted his lips, frowning slightly.

“It is possible, but whether the station commander, let alone Kirk and Dawson would agree is an entirely different matter.”

“Spock, I think they wouldn’t mind, as long as you were flying. Mr Kirk has said it himself, you are an exceptional pilot, I’m sure he would jump at any chance to still have you with the squadron.”

“And there is the other issue – Mr Kirk. He,” Spock looked away, and this time Nyota simply waited for him to turn back, “he is an exceptional pilot and leader, but ... he has no experience of the way of life, of how things work in the air force. I am not sure that I would be able to work with him.”

Nyota smiled softly, and Spock turned to face her.

“Spock, whatever you decide, just know,” she leaned forward, and gently kissed his lips, “that I will support you.”

Spock smiled softly, and moved his arm, lifting his hand to link with Nyota’s. Their arms dropped, and their hands stayed linked even as they fell into the gap between them.

“Thank you, Nyota,” and this time Spock leaned in, gently, as the sun rose higher and higher in the sky and the dew evaporated in the light, and kissed her on the lips.


-x-x-x-x-x-x-


Inside the ops room, Jim stood with arms folded, looking at the plotting board beneath the walkway. Fighter Controllers moved around the board speaking into head-phones, writing new numbers up on blackboards as they shifted pieces, it’s like the biggest game of Chess I’ve ever seen … with much higher consequences, he mused, and looked across to where Dawson was standing, with a frown upon his face.

“Any luck with Spock last night?”

Dawson looked at Jim and shrugged, pointing to Uhura who was seated below them, calmly talking to several squadrons at the same time as she fiddled with the tuning of the radar viewer.

“I spoke to Uhura, and I haven’t heard anything since. He may come back or …”

“Or he may not,” Jim finished, and Dawson nodded, turning back to the board and running a hand through his hair.

“This doesn’t look good,” he murmured to himself, and Jim nodded in response, watching the models signifying the enemy build up and up in higher concentrations on the coast of France.

He looked at James, and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Get the squadron ready to go at a moment’s notice, I’ll eat my cap if we don’t have a major sortie before lunchtime,” he said, and James nodded, turning towards the door, when it opened, and Spock walked in.

“Flight Lieutenant Kirk. Flight Lieutenant Dawson.”

Jim blinked in shock, and then remembered how his mouth worked.

“Spock?”

Spock walked forward, and everyone turned to look at him, despite the officer on the floor below berating the fighter controllers to get back to their work. From the corner of his eye, Jim saw Uhura smile wide, and he made a mental note to buy her a bunch of flowers once the day was through.

“Flight Lieutenant Kirk, I was wishing to enquire whether you needed a hand.”

Jim looked over Spock’s shoulder to where Dawson was nodding enthusiastically, and looked Spock in the eye.

“We’d be glad to have you, Spock, you ready to go?”

Spock nodded, and Jim stepped forward, clapping him on the shoulder, about to speak when a shout when up from the floor.

“They’re moving, sir! Heading over the Channel!”

Jim turned to Spock and grinned.

“Let’s go get them.”

A nod, and he, Spock and Dawson started running for the nearest truck to take them to the waiting Spitfires.

Jumping on, the truck roared off, screeching to a halt what seemed like moments later beside the dispersal hut. Before the truck had even come to a complete stop however, the three of them were jumping off and running towards the aircraft. Swinging himself into the waiting cockpit, Jim took a moment to touch the teddy-bear, and sent a silent prayer up to God.

Please God, make sure I get back, make sure Bones is okay.

“Ready, sir?” called the techie on the wing, and Jim nodded, pulling on his helmet just as the cockpit canopy slid home, flicking the switches and test the controls as the techies removed the chocks and stepped out the way, already heading towards the next aircraft. A flick of the starter, and the propellers spun into life, spinning faster and faster as Jim quickly continued the checks.

Flicking on the radio, he called to Fighter Control.

“Fighter Control, this is Red squadron ready for departure.”

Uhura answered, and Jim grinned.

“Red squadron, this is Fighter Control, bandits are at Angels twenty approximately fifty miles away on bearing one one zero, numbering thirty plus.”

“Fighter Control, this is red squadron leader, received and understood. Oh, and Uhura?”

“Sir?”

“Thanks.”

He heard a soft “it was nothing, sir” over the radio, and then looked ahead, noticing with a quick nod that the area ahead was clear. He revved the engine, and called over the radio.

“Red squadron, time to go! Form up in pairs once you’ve hit Angels ten, keep an eye on each other!”

He started forward even as the calls of acknowledgement came over the radio, surging forward and up into the waiting sky, looking in his rear-view mirror and seeing the rest of the squadron rise up behind him. A crackle came over the radio, and Jim answered.

“Flight Lieutenant Kirk -”

“Call me Jim, Spock.”

A definite sigh came over the radio, and Spock continued.

“Jim … who is everyone meant to pair up with?”

“You can go with me Spock, James, you head with Clewer, make sure he stays alive. Rest of you, work it out amongst yourselves, and keep an eye out for any other planes.”

“Yes, sir!” came over the radio, and Jim grinned, waving to Spock’s Spitfire which levelled with his left wing.

“Ready to get the Luftwaffe, Spock?”

Jim saw Spock slump his shoulders as if to ask why is he asking me this, but he turned back forward, watching the clear sky in front of him. Further they flew, past the little wisps of cloud that drifted past, and Jim looked out the horizon, wondering out loud.

“Where the hell are you …”


-x-x-x-x-x-


Forty miles away, Nero was wondering the same thing, scanning the sky for any potential fights. He called over the radio to Ayel, and he quickly responded.

“Yes, sir?”

“Where the hell is the RAF? I was expecting a fight today, and it is as quiet as the squadron when paperwork is due! There’s no one here!”

“I’m sure they’ll turn up soon, sir,” said Ayel soothingly, and Nero snorted, gesturing even though no one could see.

“Yes, while we’re stuck babysitting the bombers, they’ll probably try to bounce us from the sun. That is our job,” he muttered, looking down at the bombers beneath his squadron.

He looked back up, and continued to scan the sky.

“Where the hell are you …”


-x-x-x-x-x-x-


“Flight Lieutenant Kirk, there is a dark smudge on the horizon, about five thousand feet below us,” said Spock over the radio and Jim frowned, looking down and forward.

“I see … everyone get higher!”

“Jim, what are we planning to do when we engage the Luftwaffe?” called James, and Jim looked across at Spock.

Spock nodded towards Jim, and spoke over the radio.

“Your choice … you are the commanding officer after all.”

“Fair enough,” Jim said to himself, and then called to the rest of the squadron.

“I want everyone to concentrate on their wingman, and just get as many Luftwaffe down as possible. Make sure that you always know where your wingman is.”

Spock nodded as the rest of the squadron replied, and Jim looked at the rapidly approaching smudge.

“Here it comes …” he whispered and took a deep breath.


-x-x-x-x-x-x-


Nero continued scanning the sky in front, growing ever more frustrated as he failed to find the supposedly waiting enemy. He looked around the rest of the squadron, all of them flying steadily along, he looked down at the bombers who flew on without a care in the world, and he felt a cold feeling sit in the bottom of his stomach.

He looked up, and saw a flash of light.

“Damnit! Break!” He yelled even as he spun his aircraft out the way, climbing as rapidly as he could. The rest of the sortie scattered like sheep, and Nero growled in anger, climbing higher and higher as the RAF dropped like avenging angels.

“Goddamnit! That’s our job! ‘Beware of the Hun in the Sun’, that’s what the newspapers say!” he yelled to no one in particular, firing upon the closest Spitfire that he could. He felt his plane shudder as he fired, watched the Spitfire in front shudder from the bursts of ammunition, and felt a sense of satisfaction return. Not even Molders or Galland, would be able to stop me now he thought to himself, I’ll get these people destroyed, let the bombers do their job, Goering can’t tell me off for leaving the bombers undefended if I bring them all back. With that thought running through his mind, he swung down, screaming towards his next target, a Spitfire engaged in battle with Ayel’s BF109. He flew down and down, aimed, and then –

Ayel’s plane burst into flames, dropped down and down towards the waiting ground. Nero paused, looking at the space where Ayel had been, and then swung his plane right, avoiding the Spitfire that came up on his left. He swung back, and looked out at the carnage. No more were the RAF using their laughable tactics that were the subject of much hilarity at the local bar. Instead they were …

“They’re flying like us!” Nero exclaimed, and narrowed his eyes. No matter, I’ll destroy them anyway.

He swung round, and fired at the approaching Spitfire. It veered to the left, avoiding the tracer and fired at Nero. Nero spun trying to avoid it, flinging his other hand towards the photograph that threatened to fall off its perch. As he did so, his hand fell against the controls and he accidently flicked the radio frequency, even as he rolled straight and headed towards the Spitfire in front of him, coming towards him as fast as he could.

Bursts of English came over the radio, and Nero rolled his eyes in annoyance. Now he could listen to them as they continued to confound him.


-x-x-x-x-x-x-


“Spock! Over here!”

“On my way, Jim.”

Jim flew faster and faster, whirling and twirling between the fighting aircraft, firing at any enemy planes he could see. From the corner of his eye he saw Dawson lead a section of the squadron towards the Dorniers scattering themselves across the sky, and he looked ahead to where a Messerschmitt lined up with his sights. Spock levelled with his left wing, and spoke to Jim.

“Ready?”

Jim nodded, looking at the approaching Messerschmitt.

“Ready.”

Together, they pressed the fire button.


-x-x-x-x-x-x-


Nero felt the jolts of multiple rounds hitting his aircraft, and looked at the two Spitfires in front of him with astonishment. They zoomed closer and closer rising up and passing over even as Nero looked bewilderedly at his control panel.

Bits of glass lay everywhere, he looked down to move the control panel and it just spun in his hands. It must have become disconnected from the main parts, no matter, I’ll just jump, I can survive a couple of weeks in a POW camp and then Germany will invade and I can be released, he thought, and tried to move his hands so that he could reach for the canopy to open it. His hands spasmed and he started feeling twinges. He looked, and blood started appearing through his dark flying gloves. He blinked, and in the slight reflection of the broken glass, he saw more and more blood start to stain his clothes. A dull ache spread from his head to his feet, and he gaped, feeling blood well in his mouth.

“I’m … I’m not supposed to die yet …” he whispered, gurgling slightly, feeling his plane, his Narada, his all-seeing eye dropped downwards through the sky, starting to spin as it turned and the nose pointed towards the unforgiving ground. As the red crept up on his vision, he felt the ache intensify, and he looked at the aged photograph between the cockpit and the instruments. The slight spatters of blood – his blood, oh God, his blood marred the faces of a woman and child, and he drew in a breath, it caught in his throat as he tried to reach for the photo.

“I’m sorry, so sorry, my darling,” he whispered, feeling his vision fuzz and grow darker. A flash of green went past the cockpit as a Spitfire flew past, and Nero closed his eyes, whispering as he fell.

“I love you …”


-x-x-x-x-x-x-


The distinctive pattern of Biggin Hill’s runways appeared in the horizon, and Jim sighed in relief before reaching to the radio.

“Biggin Hill, this is red squadron, requesting permission to land.”

Uhura’s voice came over the radio, and Jim grinned as she replied.

“Red squadron, this is Biggin Hill, permission granted.”

He waggled his wings in a display of victory as they drew lower and lower to the waiting ground, and kept the grin on his face as he landed, feeling the thunder of the entire squadron land behind him as he taxied onwards, rolling to a stop and flinging open the canopy. He stood in his seat, and saw the tired, beaming smiles of the rest of the squadron, and looking at the teddy-bear; he picked it up, and stroked its belly, tucking it into its jacket.

“Thanks, Dad …” he whispered, and grinned at the techie who clambered up onto the wing, holding out a hand to help Jim out.

“Any casualties here?”

The techie smiled, leaning out the way as Jim landed on the wing.

“Only a couple, and they’re walking wounded, sir.”

Jim jumped down, and looked up at the brilliant blue sky.

Thanks, God he thought, before walking to the dispersal hut. Inside, Dawson walked forward shaking his head and grinning, holding out his hand.

“I can’t believe it! We’re all back!”

Jim grasped it and shook it, grinning back as he did so.

“I know – now all we have to do keep it up,” he said, smiling and Dawson raised his eyebrows.

“Like that’ll happen – sir” he added at the appearance of Spock, and he shook Jim’s hand once more, breaking off and walking over to where the rest of the squadron stood chatting excitedly about the fact that they made it all back. Spock came over and stood just in front of Jim.

They both looked at each other, and Jim eventually broke the silence.

“We did well today, Spock.”

“Indeed …”

“In fact, Spock, I was wondering if you still wanted to be in charge of the squadron?”

At least Spock smiled ruefully, looking at Jim.

“I think I much prefer being in second-in-command, Flight Lieutenant Kirk, but thank you. I hope you may continue to be the commanding officer of this squadron.”

Jim looked at him, and tilted his head.

“Even though I have no regard for the traditions of the RAF?”

Spock looked at the chattering squadron, and back at Jim.

“Sometimes … sometimes tradition is not what is needed for success. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must head to the Operations room in order to begin my debrief.”

Jim smiled, stepping forward and clapping Spock on the shoulder.

“Give my regards to Flight Sergeant Uhura, won’t you?”

Spock rolled his eyes and declined to answer, merely walking out. Jim laughed to himself, walking out into the sunshine and taking a deep breath, enjoying the smell of summer and Spitfire that pervaded the air.

A cough from behind him, and Jim turned, rapidly coming to attention at the sight of the station commander behind him. He rolled his eyes, and gestured Jim to stand at ease, coming to stand next to him.

“So, I gather today was a successful mission, Flight Lieutenant Kirk?”

“Yes, sir” Jim nodded, looking at the stern visage in front of him. The station commander nodded, and continued to speak.

“In that case, I have no worries about sending you and the rest of the squadron off on a well-deserved leave period.” He handed Jim a pile of papers and Jim stared, taking them into his hand and gaping openly. He looked back at the station commander and managed to find his tongue to speak.

“Seriously, Group Captain Archer?”

Archer nodded, and Jim tore them open, looking at the collection of documents in his hands with a rising sense of happiness. Archer smiled, and stepped closer.

“Once you’ve had your leave, your squadron is being posted to RAF Church Fenton to patrol as part of Twelve Group.”

Jim nodded in acknowledgement, and turned, looking at Archer.

“Thanks sir, I’ll let the men know right away.”

“Oh, and Mr Kirk?”

“Yes, sir?”

Archer dug in his pocket and handed a strip of ribbon to Jim.

“I believe this is now yours … congratulations, Squadron Leader Kirk.”

Jim smiled, and gently took the ribbon, turning it over in his hand and feeling the weight start to settle on his shoulders. He looked back at Group Captain Archer, and came to attention.

“I won’t let you down, sir.”

Archer nodded, and spoke.

“I don’t believe you will, Squadron Leader …”

He turned and walked away, and Jim looked back down at the ribbon, gripping it in his hand as he headed towards the rest of the squadron to let them know the good news.


-x-x-x-x-x-


Jim looked across the sofa at Bones and raised his glass. Bones mirrored his action and let his head fall against the back of the sofa as he did so, sighing deeply.

“Thank God we have a couple of days leave before the next long haul,” he said and Jim nodded, drinking a bit and then replying.

“And that Church Fenton doesn’t expect us to be there until Monday evening means I can even sleep in on Monday before leaving.”

Bones nodded, and then looked towards the crackling fire, taking a long drink before he replied.

“So … how do you plan to spend your leave?”

Jim frowned before replying.

“Well, if you weren’t busy, I thought … maybe … with you?”

Bones rolled his eyes and turned towards Jim.

“And why would you want -” Bones looked at Jim and smiled, before continuing. “Jim – you, really, honestly want to spend the entire weekend, with me?”

Jim laughed, finishing his drink and placing his empty glass on the floor.

“You’re not that bad a conversationist, Bones!”

“Besides”, he continued, leaning towards Bones and removing his glass from his hands, “I thought I could maybe do this all weekend, Bones,” he murmured, and placed his lips upon Bones’.

Leonard sighed, and moved until Jim didn’t have to lean forward any more, softly moving his own lips against Jim’s, feeling his way around the softness that belied Jim’s otherwise tough face. He brought his hands up to touch Jim’s cheeks, smoothing his thumb over the prickly stubble that was already starting to appear, and shivered at the sheer feeling of right in this. Jim sighed, moving closer as he brought his own hands up to tangle in Leonard’s hair, and he opened his mouth a little wider. Leonard deepened the kiss, and felt a rush go through him at Jim’s soft moan. He moved forward, tilting his head as he continued to kiss Jim and wondered why I waited so long to realise I loved him. He opened his mouth, could hear his breath and the moisture of their lips occasionally parting as they kissed and Leonard leant forward even more, brushing his chest against Jim’s.

The touch of another body on his own made Leonard gasp, and Jim laughed slightly as he moved closer to make it happen again, Leonard pulling him closer as they tangled in each other’s grasps, moving quicker, so unlike the soft slowness of before.

“Bones …” Jim sighed as he broke for a moment, and Leonard swallowed, watching Jim’s face light up even as his reddened lips came closer, closing his eyes and simply feeling what was happening. Jim shifted and the pull of material against Leonard’s chest made him groan, moving one hand away from Jim’s face and down to pull him closer so he could feel it again. The fire continued to crackle, and Leonard shifted to try and get the perfect angle, when he felt the edge of the sofa give way underneath, and the two of them fell onto the floor. Leonard groaned, moving a hand away from Jim so that he could check the back of his head from where it had collided with the floorboards, and Jim started to lever himself up off Leonard’s chest, when he shifted and his body rubbed against Leonard’s cock.

Leonard’s eyes flew open, and he looked at Jim, a gasp escaping his mouth. Jim stilled, his own mouth fallen open at the movement he had just done, and Leonard’s eyes widened, watching Jim. In the firelight, his eyes seemed to glow even bluer and Leonard felt a lump of … something … rise up in his chest. He gulped, and Jim looked down, red starting to tint his cheeks.

“Bones? I -”

Leonard made a decision, and pulled Jim closer, smashing their lips together. When he pulled away, he looked at Jim and through the sense of arousal coursing its way through him, he spoke.

“Jim – just – I want … I want you.”

Jim gulped, and looked down at Leonard, the red starting to leave his cheeks, and a determined look appearing on his face.

“Okay then,” and he sunk down, capturing Leonard’s lips in a searing kiss and moving his body again. Yes, yes, THIS is what has been missing, this is what I need, thought Leonard even through the pushing upwards of his own hips to try to connect more, feel Jim press against him and shift, hands roaming across and touching as much of Jim as he could, mapping out what made him moan, sigh, whisper, shiver, laugh and gasp even as Jim did the same.

His world shrunk down to just them, all thoughts of what would happen if they were caught, all thoughts of whether this would last past this night, this weekend were ignored and Leonard focused on the now. His hand lifted under Jim’s shirt and he felt the heat, sitting up as much as he could in order to run his hands up and over the smoothness of his back. Jim broke off, staring into Leonard’s eyes and he lifted his own hands, and brought them towards the buttons of Leonard’s shirt. He started to open his mouth, to speak, to ask, but Leonard moved closer, cutting him off with a kiss even as Jim carefully undid the buttons, keeping hands on Jim’s back, gliding them across untouched skin as he kissed, feeling Jim’s hands brush his own chest as he worked downwards, his nails scraping slightly against Leonard’s body every time Leonard brushed his shoulder blades. Jim ran his hands up, curving them round Leonard’s shoulder and down his arms, and as his shirt came off, all he could think was more. He unbuttoned Jim’s, letting the amber light play on Jim’s skin as he drew off his shirt and brought him closer. As their chests came into contact, Leonard forgot about the loss of feeling in his legs from having Jim’s weight resting upon them, forgot about the fact that he would be in pain after he got up because of the blood rushing back through, and gasped, feeling the slide of skin, Jim’s skin, against his own.

“God … Jim …” he breathed as he drank in the sight of Jim in front of him, caressing his shoulders with light kisses as he felt Jim’s head drop back and his hands reach around Leonard’s back, arching into Leonard’s hold as he kissed along his collarbone, feeling the bone beneath give way to muscle as he worked his way up Jim’s neck, tilting his head as he mouthed along the side of his neck and up to Jim’s jaw, eventually returning his lips to Jim’s.


A rumble of thunder and they broke apart, breathing heavily and looking at the other.


Jim stared at the sight of Bones half-naked, hair mussed from where Jim’s hands had tangled in it, tiny almost unseen scratches on his tanned chest, and all his brain gave him, was one word.

“More … need more Bones,” he said, and Bones didn’t even nod, he just moved forward and captured Jim’s lips, rocking against him as he did so. Jim arched, feeling a familiar heat pool in his belly at the contact of Bones’ hips against the back of his legs and he pushed down with his hips, feeling Bones’ spine bend under his fingers as he moved up again, bringing a moan out from both their lips.

Jim’s fingers drew lower as they continued to move, brushing against the top of Bones’ trousers and the resultant roll of his hips caused Jim to open his eyes and break the kiss, staring hungrily into hazel eyes as he tried to catch some breath, knowing that something had to be said, something, anything.

Bones looked at him, his eyes darkening even further in the amber light given off by the fire, and spoke.

“Jim?”

Jim licked his lips, and opened his mouth to speak.

“Bones – I – I want – I want -”

“This?” Bones asked huskily, looking into Jim’s eyes with a look of lust and worry mixed into one.

Jim bent forward, sending Bones’ back against the floor and looking down.

“Yes …” he breathed, and ground his own hips against Bones’, causing him to buck. Less clothes his brain suggested, and Jim agreed, hands going to fumble with Bones’ trousers even as Bones’ hands came up to open Jim’s. The resultant pass of hands across his groin caused Jim to bite into his lip hard enough to draw blood. He lifted his hips so that he straddled Bones, and he ran his hands down Bones’ legs, pulling down the trousers and anything underneath, watching his hands until they reached Bones’ feet and the fabric was off. He looked up, and his mouth fell open.

“Jesus, Bones …”

Bones looked at him and raised an eyebrow, pausing in bringing down Jim’s trousers.

“Jim?”

Jim shook his head and laughed, moving so that Bones could continue bringing down his trousers, so that his face was inches from Bones’ as he held his body above him.

“I never thought it would be this good,” he laughed, and sank his body onto Bones.

Jim’s body felt like it was on fire, every part of him burning at the touch of Bones’ skin to his but still screaming for more. He groaned out loud, rocking into Bones’ hold and Bones followed suit, lifting his hips as he did so that their cocks aligned and rubbed against each other. Sparks went through Jim’s body, so much that he opened his eyes to check that they weren’t actually travelling over him and Bones so fierce was the connection between them. Bones moved his hand lower, brushing against Jim’s hip and he arched into the touch, wordlessly begging for more, knowing that this, this was what he wanted. Bones pulled back and looked at him.

“Are you sure you want this, Jim?”

Jim rolled his eyes and looked at Bones.

“If I didn’t, would I really be naked and rocking into you? Really?”

Bones laughed, and moved his hand lower, keeping eye contact with him all the while, as his hand closed over Jim’s cock. Jim shuddered and closed his eyes, resisting the urge to cry out in pleasure from the feel of Bones’ calloused, rough hand over his cock, and Bones laughed quietly, bringing his other hand up and caressing Jim’s cheek.

“Jim, look at me, I wanna see your beautiful eyes.”

Jim opened them, and looked at Bones. He took one, two deep breaths, and licked his lips, moving slightly in Bones’ light hold.

Bones smiled, and started to move his hand. It felt nothing like Jim’s own ministrations, or those of Gary and the other partners he had had, the pace was slower and rougher at the same time, Bones’ hand gliding slowly over Jim’s cock as it rubbed up and down, Bones occasionally sweeping his thumb over the top, his little finger occasionally touching Jim’s balls as he went all the way down. Jim tried to think of something to say, do, but all he could do was concentrate on breathing and not collapsing on top of Bones. He saw Bones’ own cock rise up as Bones continued, as Jim couldn’t stop himself from making broken-off gasps and shudders, couldn’t stop the redness appearing on his chest as Bones’ hand tortured him with his slowness. He reached down, and Bones paused, looking at Jim.

“Jim – you don’t have to -”

“I want to,” Jim replied, and closed his hand over Bones’ cock. Bones moaned loudly, hips involuntarily jumping up in the air as his grip tightened, causing Jim to moan in return. He slowly moved his hand up the shaft, revelling in the almost-but-not-quite same feeling of flesh beneath his hands as he stroked up and down. Bones’ breath was now coming in shorter gasps, and his hand sped up, causing Jim to make a noise he would forever deny was a whine as he pushed into Bones’ grip. Faster and faster they both stroked, and Jim leaned forward, catching Bones’ mouth in a sloppy, uncoordinated kiss that sent shocks down his spine and tipped him over the edge. He felt himself contract and spurt in Bones’ hands, felt Bones shudder and orgasm beneath him and his legs gave way, collapsing on top of Bones and panting heavily even as he began to return to the world. He shifted, feeling the stickiness of their semen between their bodies and he looked at Bones, watching his mouth open and close as he panted for breath.

“Fucking hell,” he eventually said, and Bones laughed, the hand that wasn’t covered in semen tangling in Jim’s as he opened his eyes and crooked his lips.

“Never thought I’d reduce you to that, Jim,” he said continuing to smile and Jim raised an eyebrow.

“Not even in your dreams? Bones, you wound me!”

Bones narrowed his eyes even as a flush went up his face at the implications, kicking him in the leg as Jim started to laugh. Eventually Bones joined in, and the laughter rang through the house as they simply enjoyed the afterglow. Jim started to quiet, and looked at Bones.

“So what now?”

Bones shifted beneath him, and looked up.

“Well, I think we should clean up, because this,” he waved a hand over their sweaty, dirty bodies, “is quite disgusting. After that,” his gaze softened, “whatever you want, Jim …”

Jim nodded slowly, and started to pull away; wincing at the feeling starting to return to his legs which he had been kneeling on.

“Owwww … in that case, I’m going to go clean myself up, and – well, it is late …” he let his voice trail away as he looked meaningfully at Bones, who let a small smile appear on his face as he propped himself up on his elbows.

“Would you like to share a bed?”

Jim finished standing up, and looked at Bones, letting his smile appear fully on his face.

“I’d like that.”

Bones’ smile grew wider, and he levered himself up, standing in front of Jim. He paused, and Jim held out his hand.

“Come on Bones, we’ve got one weekend, let’s not waste a moment.”

Bones’ laughter followed them up the stairs as they disappeared into the bathroom to clean up.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Leonard looked up, and wondered vaguely what he’d done to deserve this. Jim – flushed, heady, sweaty and still smelling of his Spitfire – rocking against his body, cock bouncing slightly as he rocked up and down. Jim twisted, and Leonard gripped the sheets, arching into Jim as he cried out. All Leonard could see was Jim, Jim, Jim and he desperately clenched his hands into fists, trying not to orgasm from the sheer image let alone the sensation of pushing into the muscle and warmth that was Jim, let alone the sounds that Jim and he were making – half breaths, slick squelches of the lubrication combined with the slap of flesh against flesh, whines that Bones would forever deny he was making as he tried , oh he tried he tried so hard to look at Jim but he was burning, burning up and the heat inside him sparked to every nerve as Jim grew less coordinated as he sped up, moaning louder and louder as he went further and further along the road to climax, and Leonard went headlong along with him.

They came apart too quickly not quick enough and collapsed onto each other, bodies cooling in the night air as Jim closed his eyes and twitched, his legs tangled with Leonard as he drifted off into sleep. Leonard blinked away the sleep edging on his vision, imprinting the image of Jim – oh Jim his Jim his only Jim – tangled in the sheets, sweat cooling on his body and face smooth from lines, falling into sleep. As he drifted off, he sent a prayer to God.

Thank you … thank you for not deserting me God … thank you …


-x-x-x-x-x-


The two of them lay in bed, and Jim idly played the with strands of dark hair on Bones’ chest, relishing the feel of Bones’ hand stoking his back as they simply enjoyed the feeling of not having to get up, to do any work.

He felt Bones move against him as he yawned, and Jim drew closer, smiling as he did so.

“Any plans for today?”

Bones yawned again and looked at Jim, a smile playing on his face.

“Well, I thought sleep followed by more sleep, with maybe some sleep in the middle might be a plan. Unless you had any other ideas …” his voice trailed off as his hand drifted lower and Jim rolled over, pinning Bones underneath him.

“Well, we’ve only got one more day, so I was thinking we should make it count …” he ground against Bones’ hips and greedily drank in the sight of Bones arching underneath him, still smiling as he did so.

“Let’s get to it,” Bones said and Jim nodded, already leaning down to kiss Bones deeply as his hand scrabbled on the bedside table for lubricant, legs nudging Bones’ apart as he did so.

I don’t want to give this up, I don’t want to leave this, to leave him, he thought, and then came back to the moment as Bones jerked his hips up, as desperate for contact as Jim. He obliged, letting the thoughts and wonders about the future drift away, so that all he could concentrate on was this.


-x-x-x-x-x-
 
Part 6/6