“How are you feeling, Jim?”

Jim grimaced. “Like anyone would when they were stuck in the hospital on Christmas Eve.”

Bones patted his arm. “I know and I’m sorry. I just think it’s better to keep you here for a few days. Observe you.”

“What exactly is wrong with me? I feel fine now.”

Jim had been fine. Going about his business in San Francisco, headed into HQ when he just…collapsed.

“Looks like…I don’t know. All your vitals are normal now, Jim. But you had some kind of reaction, almost a rejection of Khan’s blood.”

“After all this time? Bones, it’s been years.”

“I know. Doesn’t make any sense. And while you are fine, I don’t trust those findings until I thoroughly check out every last scenario or evidence for what happened. And it sucks I know, but there it is.”

Bones thrust a large cup at him. “To make things a little better, I brought you a pumpkin shake.”

Jim took it and even managed a tiny smile. “Thanks. How about visitors?”

“Nope.”

“Bones—”

“Your immunity might be compromised, Jim. I don’t want to take any chances.” Bones hesitated. “I may have a surprise for you later.”

“A surprise? Bones, I don’t like surprises.”

“You’ll like this one.”

“Then tell me. Make it my Christmas present.”

“It is your Christmas present, but in case I can’t make it happen, just…wait.”

Jim sighed and fidgeted with his blanket before taking a big sip with his straw of the pumpkin shake. “At least this is good. Bring me some Christmas music or something.”

Bones smirked. “Aye, aye, Captain.”

Luckily for Jim, perhaps for Bones, now that Jim thought about it, not only did Bones supply him with Christmas songs, but also a little tree with decorations and a small handheld screen to watch holiday movies on.

Sure, it still sucked being in the hospital with no real answers as to why he collapsed in the first place, but it could have been much worse, and Jim knew it.

He was fully engrossed in one of his favorite renditions of Ebenezer Scrooge getting his lesson from three spirits when suddenly he felt awareness begin at the top of his head and flow down his body.

Eyes wide, he set aside the little screen after hitting pause.

Then the door to his room opened and in stepped…

“Spock!”

“T’hy’la,” Spock greeted him, hurrying over to pull him close. “You gave me quite the scare.”

“Sorry. How-are you my Christmas present from Bones?”

Spock pulled away only slightly. “I am.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and took both of Jim’s hands in his.

“But you said you couldn’t make it back to Earth for the holidays. You were too busy.”

“That was before your somewhat theatrical collapse.”

“It wasn’t intentional, honey, I swear.”

“I know and I am relieved to see you are as well as you are. I had to rearrange many things on New Vulcan, but here I am. And I am not leaving you again for a very long time.”

“If that’s ever, you’ve got yourself a deal.” Jim smiled. He loved the feel of Spock’s hands in his.

“I am concerned for your welfare.”

“I know but Bones is doing tests. We’ll figure it out. I feel good. Great even. Better than ever now that you’re here. Join me on the bed and finish watching my movie with me.”

Spock gave him an indulgent look, but he did as Jim requested and drew Jim close into his arms as Jim restarted A Christmas Carol.

He was right to the part where the Ghost of Christmas said to Scrooge,

“There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time you have.”

Jim turned his head to gaze at Spock, Spock felt his gaze and looked at Jim. Jim smiled and kissed him. Maybe being in the hospital was tolerable.