A little dose of Vanik…

“Where is Jim?”
Spock looked up from the terminal at his desk to see Vanik standing before him. “When did you get here?”
“A moment ago.”
“I have told you before that you do not have permission to just let yourself in.”
Vanik straightened. “Acknowledged. But I had concerns.”
Spock leaned back. “Concerns?”
“Where is Jim? He has been missing for a few days and does not respond to my attempts to contact him.” Vanik paused. “I have two theories.”
Spock arched a brow. “Do continue.”
“Either he has, as humans would say, ‘dumped you’, and is ignoring me due to our personal connection.”
Spock was torn between amusement and outrage over the notion that Jim had ‘dumped’ him. Amusement won out.
“Or?”
“You have committed a grievous act of violence against him and you have buried the body somewhere.”
This time Spock rolled his eyes. “I did not murder Jim.”
“Then it is true. He has dumped you.”
“No, it is not true. Jim went to Riverside.”
“Iowa?”
“Indeed. To visit with his mother and brother over the Terran festival of giving thanks. Neither Jim nor his mother have had contact with George Samuel Kirk for many years so this was a big deal for them.”
Vanik looked pensive. “And why did you fail to accompany him on such a momentous occasion?”
“I was not invited.”
“You were not invited?” Vanik exclaimed. “But I thought your romance with Jim was progressing appropriately.”
“And it is. This is a time when it is important for them to bond as a family.”
“But are you not Jim’s family?”
Spock shook his head. “Not as yet. Our relationship is satisfactory and we are mutually invested in the continuous nature of it. I was perfectly fine with Jim going to Riverside for this trip. As for not contacting you, I assume that he is either busy or communication is not ideal there.”
“And have you heard from him?”
Spock had not and said so. “But I had not anticipated hearing from him. The trip is brief and he will be back on Sunday.”
“That does not bode well.”
“How so?”
Vanik shrugged. “At this point, had you been providing the emotional support Jim surely needs as a human, he would have asked you to accompany him. That he did not…”
“Do you not have something to attend to other than harassing me regarding my relationship with Jim which is most certainly not your business.”
“Yes, unfortunately I do. I must go to class.”
Vanik left then, but Spock was dismayed to realize that he made Spock begin to doubt his relationship with Jim. He had thought nothing of Jim going to Iowa by himself.
He had been convinced that everything was good between them. Should he have pressed Jim for an invite? Insisted on going with him? Was he failing to emotionally support his lover?
Spock hadn’t even bothered to check that Jim made it all right. Was that wrong of him? He had assumed…
He tapped out a message.
Jim, my apologies for not checking in with you prior to now. Did you make it safely? And it there anything you need from me?
There was, of course, no immediate response, and so Spock returned to working on his coursework.
He was searching out something to eat when he finally heard from Jim.
Yeah, I’m here. No trouble at all getting here. Mom and I are fine. Things are a little more tense with Sam. Hey, tell that nephew of yours I said hi. I’ve been meaning to respond, but with the family drama…
Understood. Vanik did express concern for your welfare. I will advise him. Jim?
Yeah?
Would it be…permissible for me to board a shuttle to Riverside to join you?
When no immediate response was forthcoming, Spock began to hastily type a message taking it back.
What time can you get here? I’ll pick you up from the shuttle bay?
I will leave immediately. I will text you my arrival information.
K. See you soon.
Spock made his arrangements, closed out of everything and packed a small bag. Before he left, he sent a message to his nephew.
Jim sends his regards. I am joining him.
Then Spock added…
Thank you.
November 9, 2020 at 4:13 am
That child is so precious and precocious! I adore him. Grievous harm and buried the body lol! Perfect for him. And I love that it got Spock thinking.
I adore these two. And Vanik! They’re always a pleasure to see
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November 9, 2020 at 7:30 am
ha yes they are all cuties for sure
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November 9, 2020 at 5:16 am
“You have committed a grievous act of violence against him and you have buried the body somewhere.”
Hahaha. I love Vanik reasoning for not hearing from Jim. Dumping or death
He’s such a cutie and is so wise with his relationship advice. Glad Spock took it and is joining Jim 🙂
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November 9, 2020 at 7:31 am
Yep in that little boy’s mind those are the only possibilities! ha ha
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November 9, 2020 at 8:21 am
Just line after perfect, clever, darling line.
I’m beginning to think that Spock might ought to watch out for Vanik in about 10 years. A grown Vanik might be trying to get Jim to “dump” Spock for real and make his own moves on Jim!
But seriously, on some days like this, death or dump, Vanik has a bit of Jewish mother in him!
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November 9, 2020 at 8:57 am
ha ha yes he does, but considering his Human mother, Anoria, is Jewish, just like Spock’s in Amanda, that makes sense! I have loved having Vanik appear these last few months and I am going to miss him a bit! But maybe he can appear here and there in 2021!
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November 9, 2020 at 12:46 pm
Vanik is such a cutie! I love his ability to meddle in Spock and Jim’s relationship snd I just love his theories! Quite extreme, if I may say so, but it was enough to nudge Spock into contacting Jim. Jim definitely sounds like he needs emotional support. Kudos to Vanik for seeing this. And Kudos to you for writing this.
Definitely hope to see more of Vanik in your future flashes!
❤️💚😘🖖
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November 9, 2020 at 1:50 pm
thank you and I am sure I will find some way to get Vanik in there in 2021
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November 10, 2020 at 2:34 pm
LOL. Vanik’s theories are hilarious and brilliant. Seriously, that kid is too precious. And funny. And fortunately more capable than Spock to navigate humans, their feelings and their relationships. Good things he’s so young or he might’ve gone for Jim himself. LOL
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November 10, 2020 at 2:47 pm
LOL nah, he’s just a busy body
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