And so we begin with the November flashes. They will be mostly gatherings, family stuff, probably a few continuing stories.

This continues one of them…

Jim still hasn’t told his mother his decision about the Academy. He’d sent in his application right after Spock came back from his retreat and told Jim he was purging his emotions. He still felt a bit foolish for having pinned his hopes and his possible future on the possibility of more with a Vulcan he had gone on only one date with.

In a way Spock had done him a favor by setting him straight there. And his talk with Sam had been prominent in his mind when he applied.

Even after he and his mom had seen Sam off for the ship back to Earth, Jim had held back the news. After all it was certainly possible he would be turned down. Mom told him once that Tiberius Kirk, Jim’s grandfather, had been rejected after all.

Why have such an important discussion if nothing was to happen?  

But when his acceptance came for the upcoming next semester, Jim knew he was going to have to tell her.

“Hello Jim.”

Jim looked up from his PADD with the acceptance. Spock stood in front of him wearing dark pants and a heavy sweater. It made Jim hot just looking at him. For more than one reason obviously.

“Hi. Nice to see you,” Jim said politely. He’d seen Spock walking from a distance with an older human woman Jim assumed was his mother.

Spock inclined his head. “And you.” His gaze moved off Jim to somewhere beside him and Jim got the weirdest feeling that Spock was nervous. “I wonder if you would consider joining me for dinner again.”

“Uh. You want to have dinner?”

“If you are free.”

“When?”

“The soonest I suppose.”

A part of him was inclined to say no. Where would it go? Spock was purging himself and Jim was joining Starfleet. But another part was curious. And he did like Spock.

“You are reluctant,” Spock murmured.

“Well. I think you should know that my time here is pretty limited now. I’ve applied and been accepted at Starfleet Academy for the next semester in January.”

Then Spock surprised him.

“I have also applied and been accepted.”

“You?”

“Indeed. I have also applied for the Vulcan Science Academy. I am to meet with the board for the VSA tomorrow for their decision.”

Jim frowned. “You applied for both?”

“I was hedging my bets.” Spock fell silent for a moment. “Dinner?”

“I’ll have to check with my mother as to when she won’t need me for the shop.”

Spock nodded. “Understandable. You know how to message me, you have my contact information, please let me know when you are available.”

“Okay, sure.”

Spock walked away then and Jim went back into the ice cream shop to help his mother.

Later when the shop was closed, and they were in their apartment above the shop, Jim talked to her.

“Mom, are you getting a house here?”

She looked surprised he knew. “I am looking into it, but nothing has been completely decided. Sam told you?”

“Yeah.”

She sighed. “I know I said this was going to be short, but I like it here.  I do. And the company asked if I would stay here at least two years to get everything more permanently established. I didn’t want to live in this apartment for that amount of time.”

“I completely understand that. But Mom. Uh.”

“You want to leave,” she guessed.

Jim exhaled and then nodded. “I applied for acceptance into Starfleet Academy and I just received word that I can attend beginning with the January semester.”

“January? That’s only two months away.”

“Yeah. If you want me to cancel or postpone it—”

“No, no, don’t be silly. Of course you should go. I’m just adjusting to having neither of my sons with me. Empty nest, they used to call it.” Her smile was sad, but it was a smile.

“It’s still two months away.”

She wiped her eyes then and hugged him. “Congratulations, Jim. I know you’re going to be wonderful.”

“Thanks,” he whispered. “And, uh, Spock wants to have dinner with me again.”

She gave him a look. “That guy that dumped you after one date?”

Jim laughed. “He didn’t dump me. You have to be something to be dumped, Mom. But yeah, him. I was surprised but he asked.”

“When?”

“I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow night? He’s meeting with the VSA in the afternoon I guess about applying there.”  

“I’m sure I can cover the shop if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Thanks Mom. For everything.”

She hugged him again and then went to go have her video conference with her superiors at her company.

Jim messaged Spock.

Tomorrow night?

A moment later.

Yes.

You’ve probably guessed by now that I am setting this up for Spock to give his FU to the VSA like he does in the film, so that he and Jim can join the Academy together in January.