The Hind End of Space

itreallyisthelittlethings:

From the episode Elaan of Troyius:

MCCOY: Did she cry? Did her tears touch you at any time?

(Kirk looks at his hand.)

MCCOY: Oh, we’re in trouble. Now listen, Jim. Petri told Christine that the Elasian women have a sort of a biochemical substance in their tears that acts like a super love potion. And according to him, it doesn’t wear off.

(later…)

MCCOY: Spock, I’ve isolated the biochemical substance of the Elasian tears. It’s a kind of an infection, and I think I’ve found an antidote.

SPOCK: You are too late, Doctor. The Captain has found his own antidote.

MCCOY: Are you out of your Vulcan mind? Do you know how long I’ve worked on

SPOCK: The antidote to a woman of Elas, Doctor, is a starship. The Enterprise infected the Captain long before the Dohlman did.

So basically- Kirk is infected with a ‘love potion’ but he overcomes it’s affects because his love for the Enterprise supersedes it.

Kirk loves the Enterprise a lot. A lot a lot.

And here is this lovely gif set showing Kirk sacrificing the Enterprise to do what Bones says: What you had to do.

And later: 

SAREK: Kirk. I thank you. What you have done is…

KIRK: What I have done, …I had to do.

SAREK: But at what cost? Your ship. Your son.

KIRK: If I hadn’t tried, …the cost would have been my soul.

It’s just…these guys! and their love and their sacrifices for each other. And how they say they love each other by stealing a starship and setting it ablaze over a dying planet.