This involves the Jim and Spock from “This Place is Haunted”.

This is a sort of segue from November’s themes to December’s.

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“You’re kind of grumpy.”

Jim eyed Bones as he pushed the grocery cart. “You can out grump anyone I know. Who are you to talk?”

Bones smirked. “Okay, sure. Normally. But you have a sourpuss look on your face despite the fact you just put a jug of eggnog in the cart and ice cream. AND Christmas lights. You are the one who wanted to do ‘festive’ shopping as you called it.

Jim sighed. “I did, yeah. But Spock’s not back from visiting his folks on Vulcan yet.”

“You could have gone with him,” Bones pointed out.

“Mom really wanted me to go home to Riverside for Thanksgiving. It was the first time in I don’t know how long we were all going to be there. I couldn’t disappoint her.”

“Yeah, I get it. When does your Vulcan Romeo return?”

“I don’t know. He hasn’t contacted me since he left two days before Thanksgiving. Almost a week.”

“Maybe the love has worn off already,” Bones cracked. “Weren’t you all cozy as hell like a month ago at Halloween? Isn’t that why we went to that stupid so-called haunted house thing?”

“I’m still annoyed at you for your part in the gardener’s ‘death’. Not to mention freaking me out in the hallway.”

“James ‘I Don’t Believe in Spooks’ Kirk freaked out?”

Jim grinned. “In a totally rational manly way.”

Bones snorted. “I’m sure lover boy will be back before you know it, eyes shining Vulcan bright as he gazes lovingly into your countenance?”

“Where do you get this crap?”

“I’m an educated man,” Bones assured him. He stopped at a Christmas cookie display. “Gingerbread people. You know you could make these yourself.”

Jim grabbed a box and added it to his cart. “Who has time for that? These are pretty good for store bought. Anyway, so I’m going to decorate the apartment while I wait for him to come back.”

“I can’t see Spock caring for all that holiday stuff.”

“Maybe he doesn’t, but he cares about me, and I do, so…”

“All right, then. What else?”

Later, Jim was in the apartment he now shared with Spock decorating with garland and lights, sipping on his eggnog.

He was about to step back to admire his handy work when he heard someone at the door.

“Spock?”

Sure enough the door opened to reveal Spock, holding the bag he’d taken with him to Vulcan.

“Jim.” Spock set the bag on the floor, closed the door, and opened his arms for Jim.

“God, I’m glad to see you,” Jim said against Spock’s neck as Spock held him close.

“I am likewise pleased.” Spock looked around. “You have been busy.”

“Yeah.” Jim laughed. “Do you mind?”

“Not in the least. Your gathering for Thanksgiving went well?”

“Yeah, well enough. I mean the food was good. I liked seeing Mom.” Jim shrugged. “And your parents? How are they?”

“My mother is well, my father is…challenging. I am glad to be home.”

“I’m glad too. Come on. I have cookies.”

Thanks for checking out November! See you Friday, December 02, 2022