Title: Let the Blind Lead
Fandom: Star Trek: the Original Series (Mirror Universe)
Rating: PG
Characters: Mirror!Kirk, MirrorSpock
Length: 827 words
Content notes: none
Summary: Stranded on an enemy base, Spock has to inform Jim that he is temporarily blind, but Jim's response is surprising.

At the abandoned base of Xelan, Spock stiffened his lips and stood in parade rest thinking of the best way to break the news to Jim. While they successfully destroyed their enemy, Jim would not take his blindness well when he woke up - temporarily, he amended, because he would find a cure, because he had to - due to the attack he had suffered.

As usual, Jim’s response exceeded his expectation.

"So I'm blind," Jim said. He sounded oddly calm, staring ahead in Spock's direction. If not for the lack of focus in his eyes, Spock would have thought that he made a mistake with his assessment.

"Yes," Spock replied, expecting emotional outburst or yelling from Jim, and unsettled when Jim suddenly smiled and adopted a relaxing sitting position. "I apologize for my inability to neutralize the Xelan's nervous poison to your optic centre with the current lack of resources."

"Then congratulations, Mr. Spock, or shall we say Captain Spock," Jim kept smiling.

"Captain?" Spock asked. He would have preferred Jim to berate or even hit him instead of his indifferent calm, even though such responses would be illogical. Jim should have never been logical.

"We both all know the Empire's attitude towards people with my condition, Mr. Spock," Jim spoke slowly and gently, as if lecturing a child. "The Empire has no need for burden of its resources, so I guess it’s time for our alliance to end."

"No," Spock said, his heart stricken in pain as he understood Jim's meaning. They both knew that the Empire had no place for the weak, but he would not let Jim die.

Jim shook his head and laughed. "Everyone has to go some day, and some would have said I have way more luck than I deserve. I trust you to do the honour. You'll do the last favour for me, will you?"

Spock grabbed Jim's shoulders and Jim tensed under him. "No, I will not kill you. Once we are back on the Enterprise I will have the capacity to treat your eyes." How can Jim expect him to kill him? How can he?

"Don't make it more difficult for us both," Jim said in a strained voice. "The crew will be ecstatic about this excellent chance for their careers and even you can't protect me from the whole ship."

He continued with his chin up. "I'm the captain of the Enterprise, and I won't let the vultures tear me apart on the ship. Call it human vanity or something similarly illogical, but just get it done."

Spock shook his head in denial, even though Jim wouldn’t have seen it. Even though Jim’s words were practical, he still hated how Jim had given up on himself. There must be a way to save Jim.

One day they might destroy each other, but when that day came Spock would kill Jim properly, looking into his eyes, not when their hands were forced by their enemy. Not today.

"Captain, I have a proposal," Spock said. His idea was risky, dangerous and questionable, but Jim had long taught him that there were no no-win scenarios.

Jim tiled his head. "Tell me."

"I would have linked with you to share our vision. We will have to stay close together when I worked on the antidote, but it will buy enough time for us to avoid the crew's notice."

"Are you serious? It's the most illogical suggestion I have heard from you," Jim exploded, his face reddened. "Stop coming up ridiculous solution that will kill us. Just make it easy for me and get it over."

Spock watched Jim and came to a conclusion that made him almost smile.

"Captain, do you trust me?"

"What does this have to do with anything?"

"Captain," Spock said, a wave of hope and warmth filling his body with his sudden realization that Jim cared for him. "During our years of partnership, I trust that you find me capable of securing my part of agreement and safeguarding my interest."

"Spock, no one does a better job than you, except perhaps me."

If Jim was able to joke, he must be in a more suitable mood to heed Spock's argument. "Then you should trust me that I only make proposal that I am sure of its benefit."

"But... How can this work?" Jim asked, with faint hope in his voice.

"It will require your cooperation in our subterfuge and is highly challenging.

"Do we ever have nice missions?" Jim asked, his smile warmer now.

"Very well. I will explain to you, but first we have to meld."

"Do your best or worse." Jim raised his hand.

Spock's even tone hid his anxiety as Jim’s continued survival hinged on the success of his plan. He suppressed the feeling. As he have told Jim, he would see it to the end. After all, Spock had an excellent track record to protect his own interest, and Jim would be no exception.