The Last Unknown
The clock ticked time away in its usual fashion, the fashion in which it had done so for over three hundred years. Around the old man his life was gathered. Mementos from far places, models of ships, the instruments of his life and profession cluttered the room. One model, the special one, he held in his hand.The old man lay in his bed, the comforter his Mother made close against his body. A few others stood, or sat by the old man Friends, good friends some that had come a long way to be here. One sat closer than the rest. He held the old man's hand, firm in his warm, strong grip.
The old man looked out of bright unseeing eyes. An old, unsure hand caressed the lines of the special ship within his grasp. His other hand, the hand held by his true friend griped tighter.
"Spock, Spock?"
"I am here, Captain."
The old man smiled softly. "Spock, let's do it all again."
After a moment, Spock reached up, and lovingly closed the eyes of James Kirk for the last time.
Garry Stahl, October 1999
tesral @ comcast.net