Advent Day 18

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“Well, Jim, you went and broke your leg but good.”

Jim grimaced. “You don’t have to tell me. I was the one who came crashing down those stairs.”

Bones patted his shoulder. “You want the good news or the bad news?”

“Both.”

“Your leg can be fixed so you won’t have any long-term issues.”

Jim nodded. “But?”

“It’s broken in so many spots that we need a specialist to come in and use the regeneration on it.”

“You mean you can’t just do it?”

“Correct. I’m calling in an orthopedic surgeon. He’ll get you fixed up, no problem.”

Jim smiled. “Good. When does he get here?”

Bones sighed and squeezed the shoulder his hand still rested on. “That’s part of the bad news. He’s on Rigel 3 at the moment.”

“Rigel 3?”

“Yup. Won’t get back to Earth until after the first.”

Jim frowned, taking that in.  ”Of January?”

“Exactly. So you got a few weeks to wait. Now, you’ll have a full cast on that leg, so my recommendation is—”

“No way, forget it,” Jim quickly interrupted. “I am not staying in the hospital until then.”

“Jim, it’s going to be hard for you to get around with your leg in a cast like that. You live upstairs.”

“You live on the first floor of your building. I could stay with you.”

“Maybe but I’m supposed to be going to see Jo.”

“Okay, so I’ll stay at your place by myself.”

“Jim—”

“It’s a broken leg, Bones. I’m not paralyzed.”

“Still. Maybe I should see if someone can stay with you.”

Jim shook his head. “There’s no one.”

“How about—”

“Don’t even finish that sentence. No. I’ll be fine by myself. You can set me up with food and I’ll stay inside and not bother anyone. Before you know it, you’ll be back and taking me to see the surgeon.”

“This is against my better judgment, Jim.”

“Duly noted.”

****

By the time Jim struggled to the door of Bones’ apartment, he was out of breath and sweating. He couldn’t say his leg hurt exactly, but the whole experience was extremely uncomfortable, and if it was just some delivery person he was going to be pissed because whoever it was kept ringing the bell repeatedly.   

Jim couldn’t deny he was cranky. He just wanted to be done with having his leg fixed and back to his own place and his job back at HQ. It was Christmas Eve and he was alone, heating up left over mac and cheese.

“What do you want?” Jim demanded as he yanked open the door.

To his dismay, it was no delivery guy but instead a Vulcan. A stupid, arrogant, asshole one. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Jim—”

He started to close the door but Spock stopped the action.

“Please. May I come in?”

Jim was in no condition to fight him, so he moved back far enough to let Spock in.

Spock closed the door after himself.

“Look, last Christmas—”

“That is why I am here.”

Jim shook his head. “I gave you my heart, but you threw it away. Didn’t want to have anything to do with me and my illogical Human heart.”

“I was wrong and I have come to tell you—”

“Save it. This year I’m giving my heart to someone special.”

Spock, momentarily nonplussed, frowned. “Who?”

“I don’t know, but definitely not you.”

“Jim, last year was a mistake. When I learned of your injury…”

“Did Bones contact you? I told him not to. Look, I don’t want anything to do with you and your too logical Vulcan heart. Get lost.”

“Please. I…know I deserve your disdain, but this past year has taught me that I cannot live without you. I am in love with you.”

“That’s too bad because…what?”

Spock moved closer to him, took Jim’s hand. “I am irrevocably in love with you. I cannot change the mistakes I have made in the past, I can only spend the rest of our lives loving and worshiping you.”

Jim blinked. “I don’t need to be worshipped.”

“Loving you only then. And only loving you. From now until the rest of our lives.” Spock paused. “And beyond.”

“That’s pretty romantic coming from a Vulcan.”

“You bring it out in me. Please. Give me a chance. And allow me to care for you until your leg is repaired. I will wait upon you hand and foot.”

Jim bit his lip. “Well.”

“Whatever you want for your meal for Christmas Eve and Christmas and every day beyond, I will make it happen.”

“Spock—”

“Please.” Spock looked down at their entwined hands. “It is not in my nature to beg, but I realize it is required in this situation. If you ask me to leave, I will do so, but I am, in fact, begging you, not to send me away.”

“Spock, I have only one thing to say.”

Spock squeezed the hand he held.

“Kiss me.”