This one ended up having more legs than I intended and could possibly be the beginning of a new story! Oh well LOL

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“Did you ever think we’d be together like this on Yorktown for the week between Christmas and New Year’s?” Jim asked his mom as they strolled along the street together toward the restaurant where he’d made a reservation for them.

“No way. It’s bene years since we’ve seen each other in person, let alone got to spend any quality time together. It was sheer luck that had me having to come here for my boss while you’re still here stuck waiting for the Enterprise.”

Jim agreed. “Most of my crew’s been temporarily assigned elsewhere. It was just fortuitous they decided to keep me assigned to Yorktown.”

His mom smiled and linked her arm with his. “I can hardly believe it. I’ve been so excited to get here. You didn’t need to arrange a fancy dinner though.”

“There’s not a huge kitchen in my apartment and the replicated food is okay, but I figured one night while you’re here, we can splurge.”

She sighed. “You’re right, of course. And it’s been a long time since I had a real dinner out, let alone with you.”

They arrived at the restaurant and shortly after got seated.

Jim ordered them a bottle of red wine while they settled in.

“When was it, you think?”

“Hmm?”

“Last time we went for a real dinner together.”

“Oh, gosh, Mom. Probably my first year in the Academy.”

“See? Absolutely shameful.”

The waiter returned with the bottle and poured them each a glass. Jim sent the waiter away and told him to come back for their dinner order in about fifteen minutes.

“We live in different worlds, mostly.” Jim leaned back after talking a sip of his wine. “Literally. Things could be a lot worse. At least we’re both still alive, yeah?”

She gave him a gentle smile. “Thanks to the miracles of modern medicine for you. And probably still some of that luck for both of us. How is your first office?”

Of course she’d guesseed his reference to Spock when speaking of lost parents. She’s met Spock once back when she visited Jim in the hospital back when he’d been “revived”. And she knew all about Nero. All too well.

“Good, I think. He was temporarily assigned to a science vessel exploring sector 24. He’s supposed to be back to Yorktown next week.”

“And you miss him, don’t you?”

Jim laughed. “Mom, come on. I mean yeah, I miss him because we’re friends. That’s all. He’s got a girlfriend or a fiancé or whatever.”

“Are they engaged?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea. I’d heard they were off and then after my ship was destroyed they were on.”

“Hmm. Are they on assignment together?”

“No separate assignments. He hasn’t mentioned her when we’ve communicated but that’s not unusual.” He waved that away. “Enough about Spock. Let’s order.”

He flagged down the waiter and they both ordered steaks and baked potatoes.

“This realy is an indulgence,” she said. “I can’t remember when I last had steak. Your dad was a vegetarian.”

“I didn’t know that.”

She smiled wistfully. “Oh not always. He tended to change his eating habits at his whim. He’d eat nothing but chicken. Then everything but chicken.” She laughed. “Whatever some fad was he’d read about. At the end though, yes, he was a vegetarian. And after, well, replicated steak isn’t so great. And I wasn’t…” She sighed again and shook her head.

“What?”

“I wasn’t home much after that. But you know that better than anyone, Jim. And here I’m going on about food when you were…:

“Hey.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “Tarsus was a long time ago now. And we’re having a nice dinner remember? Just the two of us.”

“Yes, you’re right.” She drank some wine. “I wish it could be three of us.”

“A logical friend of mine tells me not to have regrets,” Jim said gently.

“You’re right again. All right, all right. Tell me about the new Enterprise then.”

He perked up right away and began to tell his mom all about the improvements his new lady would have.

They had a nice dinner and Jim didn’t think about Spock again. Much anyway.