Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Here we are closing out February

“What are we doing here again, Bones?’

His friend shot Jim a disgruntled look. “We’ve never been here.”

“Right. I mean, tell me again why we’re here and you know it.”

They had just walked into a seedy bar. As those types of establishments went, this one was hardly the worst. But it had a sort of…dark vibe. Jim couldn’t quite decide what made him uneasy about it.

“You used to love these types of places,” Bones pointed out. He gave Jim the side-eye. “Back in the day.”

“Mm.”

“Now you’re a dud.”

Jim chuckled. “If you say so. But you haven’t answered the question.”

It was shore leave and without any particular plans of his own, Jim had accompanied Bones here.

“Well.”

They made their way to the bar counter itself and chose two seats, quickly ordering drinks. Jim watched the bartender as he mixed them. He had some experience with questionable drinks in places like this.

“There might have been a rumor that a woman from my past is on this planet and frequents this bar.”

Jim glanced at him in surprise. “I thought you dated only nice women. Other than your wife, of course.”

“Ex. And she was nice once. I probably turned her ornery.”

Jim smiled faintly. “Who is this former lover?”

“I didn’t say we were lovers. Just that she was from my past.”

“Mm.”

Bones looked around. “I don’t see her…wait. There she is.” When Jim went to turn around, Bones hissed, “Don’t look.”

He laughed. “What?”

“I don’t want to make myself a spectacle,” Bones insisted. “This is supposed to be a casual, just kind of a coincidental meeting while I’m on shore leave.”

“Ah, gotcha. So go on over there. Tell her you noticed her and ask her if she’s whoever. Or the other way around. Whatever.’

Bones nodded. “Okay. Yeah.” He eyed Jim. “Uh, I might be a while.”

“That’s okay. Probably going to go back to the ship.” He put his hand on Bones’ shoulder as his friend moved away. “Be careful.”

“Always.”

Jim decided to finish his drink before leaving and he was about to do so when a young attractive female member of that planet slid into the seat Bones had occupied.

“Hi, honey,” she said breathlessly.

“You come here often?”

Jim turned to his other side to see a tall Vulcan standing beside him. “First time.”

The female frowned and leaned forward. “Hey, I saw him first.”

“That is factually incorrect since I have been married to him for fourteen months, three weeks, forty-eight—”

“Oh my God. Just shut up.” She slid off the stool and hurried away.

Jim laughed. “You always manage to charm them, Spock.”

Spock nodded. “I do try.”

“You needn’t worry. She wasn’t my type.”

“Breathing?” Spock asked coolly.

He laughed again. “Ouch. You’re all snippy. Thought you weren’t coming down here.”

“I changed my mind and decided to spend some time here with you.” Spock looked around. “Well, not here.”

Jim emptied his drink, cast one last look to see Bones engaged in conversation with some woman, and headed out of the bar with Spock.

“Nyota convinced me I was being unreasonable,” Spock explained outside.

“Did she? She say you were being a poopy head?”

Spock blushed. “How did you know?”

“She’s used that line on me before. I know her tricks.” He linked arms with Spock. “Where do you want to go, husband?”

“There is a museum here filled with ancient planetary artifacts.”

“I love museums with ancient planetary artifacts.”

“If there is somewhere else you’d—”

“Spock. Let’s go. You know it drives me wild with lust when you explain those artifacts.”

Spock arched a brow. “In that case, I can show you a slide show in our private quarters.”

Jim burst out laughing. “Come on. It’s a beautiful day. And I happen to know a lot of that museum is outside. Let’s go, Pointy.”