Chapter Seventeen: Possibilities

“Mmm.”

Jim felt Spock’s warm hand smoothing down his torso, in a soothing way, no longer sexual. Which was good because Jim didn’t think he could handle another round just then. He was wiped out, pleasantly, but thoroughly exhausted.

“I really need to get up and go home,” Jim said after a while. “Maggie will want to go back to her own place.”

“Yes.” He heard the regret in Spock’s voice and understood it. But yes, Jim had obligations.

Spock’s hand moved away, and Jim sat up, smiling down at the sleepy Vulcan.

“You don’t have to get up. Tomorrow is Saturday, you can sleep in if you want.”

Spock’s lips curved faintly. “I do not sleep in.”

He got out of the bed with Jim and reached for clothing.

“That was…” Jim shook his head as he slipped into his pants. “I don’t even know. I felt things I never felt with anyone.”

Spock nodded. “It was the same for me.”

“Is that…well some of the stuff you were referring to before? It was like, I can’t explain, I was floating, and we were…connected in…I’m not explaining it well.”

“I…believe so. It is…”

“Is that normal for Vulcans?”

“Yes and no.”

Jim laughed. “Well, that’s cryptic.”

“I know,” Spock replied. “It is all very uncertain to me as well. Vulcans form bonds.”

“Yeah, I know that. Are you saying we have? They aren’t spontaneous, are they?” Jim finished dressing by pulling his sweater on over his head.

“Not generally, no. But there are more rare ones that might. Though I do not believe ours formed spontaneously exactly.”

Jim stared at Spock. “Ours? Then we do have one?”

“That is not what I mean, exactly. Please. I need time to explore what this means myself.”

“Okay.” He went to Spock and kissed him. “Okay. I’m not freaking out and you shouldn’t either. It’s just that was amazing on a level I never even thought was possible. We’ve only known each other a short time.”

“Yes,” Spock agreed. “Are you able to drive your hover car home or should I take you?” Spock paused. “I could drive your hover car to your home, then come back with it tomorrow when we go Santa Claus shopping. We can even tell Lily as we drop her off that we must have a work meeting.”

Jim smiled. “Yeah that sounds like a great idea. I don’t feel too drunk anymore but there’s no reason to take chances if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all or I would not have put forth the suggestion.”  

A short time later, they bundled up into Jim’s car and Spock headed to the farmhouse.

Jim had to smile at the Christmas lights framing the outside of his house. He might have teetered off the ladder and been saved by his very own version of a hero, but the house looked good. Great. Special for Lily. And that’s what mattered. Some day Lily would be older and probably not care about such things, so Jim made it special for her while could.

Jim leaned over and kissed his hero.

“Thanks. For everything. I had an amazing night.”

“As did I,” Spock murmured, returning the kiss. “And I will see you tomorrow for shopping.”

“And you still want to?”

“More than ever,” Spock assured him.

“You’re just about perfect.”

“Hardly. Good night, Jim.” And he kissed Jim once more both on the lips and with his hands.

Jim got out and rushed to the house, aware Spock waited for him to get inside before leaving.

“Hey,” Jim greeted Maggie.

She put a finger to her lips. “Your girl’s asleep on the couch.”

Jim grinned. “Thanks for everything.”

“You had a nice time?”

“The best.”

Maggie smiled, and kissed his cheek. “Then you are very welcome. It’s only what your mama would have done.” She got her coat and scarf and made to leave. “Bringing her by tomorrow, right?”

“Yep. So I can go shopping.”

“See you then.”

And Maggie was off.

Jim went to the living room, scooped up his angel and brought her upstairs to bed.