AKA Totally Modern Jim

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For a long time, the Human who’d introduced himself as Jim just looked at Spock. There was no fear on his face nor even open curiosity. His expression was simply blank. He rivaled any trained Vulcan Spock had known.

When the silence stretched on, Spock finally spoke.

“You do not seem surprised.”

“Well. I’m not sure exactly where Vulcan is,” Jim said honestly. He really was quite a handsome man. “Is it part of another country?”

Ah, that explained it.

“Do you not see my ears?”

Jim nodded. “Cosplay?”

“Cosplay?”

“Uh-huh. Like for an elf. Lord of the Rings I’m guessing. You just come from a convention?”

Spock frowned. “I am not an elf. My ears are…real.”

Jim cocked his head. “Plastic surgery? It’s cool. Whatever gets your goat.”

“Gets my…”

Jim smiled then. It was an appealing smile. “So not a monk?”

“I am not.”

Jim opened the pizza box. “You have any paper plates?”

“They are wasteful.”

“That a no?”

“It is, yes.” Spock gestured to his dining room table. “Perhaps we’d better sit down.”

Jim moved to do just that as Spock got out two non-paper plates from the apartment’s cupboard. He also poured himself a small cup of Sake.

“Do you wish a glass for your malt beverage?”

Those plump lips curved. “I’m good.”

Spock brought his Sake to the table and took the offered plate from Jim with a slice of pizza.

In truth, since his unexpected arrival there, Spock was not in the habit of explaining his appearance. Both in theory and physical. Most Humans would have trouble believing anyway. So Spock was uncertain what cause himself to lower the hood to expose his ears.

In general when leaving his apartment, Spock wore a hat or hood to cover his nonconformity.

“New here huh?”

“I have recently come to occupy this apartment, yes.”

He had been stranded on Earth for several months now, but found it necessary to leave the first place he stayed.

“I resided on the Eastern side of town until recently.”

“Rent increase?”

Actually, the warehouse he had been hiding in had been demolished.

“Something like that.”

“What do you do?” Jim asked. “Like I said before, I’m a teacher. I teach physics. Full name is Jim Kirk.”

Spock nodded. “As it happens, I am looking to get a position as a teacher myself at the Science Institute. I have interviewed and expect a decision at any time. In the meantime, I am waiting tables at an Asian Fusion restaurant on the corner.”

“Oh, yeah, I know that place. Good food. So are you a scientist?”

“Correct.”

“Cool. I’m glad we have so much in common. What’s your name?”

“As I said, Spock.”

“No, I mean, your whole name.”

“Spock.”

“Oh. Okay. Like Cher or Bono. Gotcha.”

Spock did not know what Jim got but he let it pass.

After he finished a couple of slices of pizza and his cup of Sake, Spock waited for Jim to decide to leave. He liked Jim and didn’t mind the company, but he hadn’t failed to notice several yawns from the Human.

“Sorry, long week. And my dad’s in the hospital, so a bit stressful.”

“I am sorry to hear it. Is he gravely il?”

“Not anymore. He had bypass surgery though. I’m going to drive out there to see them next week.”

“Where is out there?”

Jim laughed and it was a pleasing sound. Not that Spock could get close to Jim. Or anyone. His main goal was to return to where he came from. If that was possible.

“Originally Iowa. Riverside. But we moved away from there a few years back. The family unit now lives in Napa. My dad has a small vineyard. Sam helps him run it.” Jim smiled. “Sam’s my older brother. And now I’m babbling my life story. It’s just…you’re really easy to talk to.” Jim stood then and picked up his empty pizza box. Spock noted he had eaten quite a bit of it.

“I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing. I hope to see you again, Spock. It was nice to meet you.”

“It was nice to meet you as well, Jim.”