Jim found his first officer alone gazing out from a balcony that overlooked one of the parks in Yorktown. It was just outside of a conference room and something about Spock’s body language gave him pause.
“You okay?”
Spock let out a slow, soft breath, then glanced at Jim. “Nyota and I have ended our relationship.” He paused. “For good I believe.”
“Yeah? I mean, you guys seemed like you were getting close again just two days ago.”
“We disagree on the direction our relationship should take,” Spock replied. “It is not altogether unexpected. It has been challenging between us for a while.”
Jim nodded. “Okay. Listen, how come I didn’t know today was your birthday?”
Spock blinked at him. “I do not know. Vulcans are not in the habit of marking their birth as a remembrance, but it is a part of my official record.”
“I think there’s a reprimand there somewhere,” Jim said. He put his hand on Spock’s arm. “Funny our birthdays are so close together. That’s crazy.”
“I see no particular significance in it.”
“Well, I do. I’ve never had a birthday buddy before.”
Spock frowned. “Birthday buddy?”
“You know you really should have been part of the party two days ago. If I had known…you know, Bones has to know, right?”
“I…”
“I’m sure he does. I’ll have to have a word with him.”
“Captain, I do not think that is necessary.”
Jim ignored that to say, “Want to go have a birthday drink with me?”
Spock glanced away, out at the park. “I am not in the mood.”
Jim deflated. “Oh. Okay.”
Spock straightened away from the railing and faced Jim. “But if you are amenable, we could have tea in my temporary quarters.”
Jim’s gaze met Spock’s and the warmth there made him smile. “I’m definitely amenable.”
Spock had long been used to his husband’s flirting.
Even when they hadn’t been together it had been hard to miss. Back so many years ago, walking side by side, and Jim walking backwards almost to give females attention. It was the start of Spock developing a sort of crush on his then captain (briefly demoted shortly after),which he had assumed would fade with time.
After all crushing on someone with questionable morals was not in his best interests.
Then Jim had died saving them all and Spock’s crush became love.
He did nothing about it for a long time. He had still been convinced that Jim’s flirting was likely a good indicator that he would never be a faithful mate. And he could not deny that Nyota had encouraged that way of thinking.
After he had finally ended things with Nyota for good and actually pursued a relationship with Jim, Spock had learned the truth of Jim’s character. He was nothing like what everyone assumed, Spock included, and in fact he was everything Spock had ever wanted in a faithful, loving mate.
Jim still flirted, of course, but Spock knew it was nothing.
“What?” Jim asked as they stepped inside their San Francisco apartment after a lengthy party. “What’s that look for, honey?”
“You were flirting,” Spock said, reproachfully, but without much heat. In their now twenty-five years together neither of them had ever strayed. When you had perfection why would you?
Jim laughed. “Only a little. And just with, uh, what was that, er, hell, I can’t even remember what she, er, was.”
Spock shook his head, bemused. “And Doctor Flanners?”
His husband gave him a quizzical look. “Who?”
“Tall, thin man with a mustache. Graying hair.”
“I was not flirting with that guy.”
“But I—”
Jim stepped forward and kissed Spock. ”Sorry, babe, but he was interested in you not me.”
“Surely not.”
“Surely so.” Jim laughed. “Just admit you’re a hottie and get over it. Come on, let’s go to bed.”
This month I vow to update all works in progress now that the holidays are behind us once more
First up will be A Heart Needs a Second Chance. I haven’t updated it since September and I am ashamed. Then the others Our So-Called Life, Cosmic Love, and Welcome to the Enterprise haven’t been updated since October. My own fault. I mistakenly signed up for the Advent Calendar thing but I won’t again. Lesson learned as I didn’t have near enough time to work on my own things that needed doing. I need to plan better this year if I’m going to get new stories and all that. No special challenges for me this year, 2023, unless it’s my own special challenge
I’ll get another flash up in a day or so. Going into the physical office Wednesday (today) so work is interfereing!
Spock had been meditating when Jim came home so when he had completed his usual afternoon hour of meditation, he sought his husband out.
After checking the house, Spock came to the conclusion that Jim was sitting outside on the small patio. He made Jim coffee and took the mug of the steaming liquid outside.
Sure enough, Jim sat on a lounge chair there looking rather hunched in on himself. Spock approached him and handed him the coffee.
Jim gave Spock a strained smile as Spock placed himself in the lounge chair beside him.
“Is something amiss?”
“No more than usual. I don’t really care for this planet or the assignment.”
They were currently residing on the planet, Armiron. It was not Spock’s favorite place either. It rained nearly every day and in fact that particular day was a rare day when it had not. It was a dreary, depressing place.
Jim had been promoted to a diplomatic admiral position within Starfleet and was being sent to various different planets. This was their third different one within the last few years. They also maintained homes in San Francisco, Riverside, and on Vulcan. They had not been awarded any length of time for any of those lately and it was wearing on both of them.
Spock had taken on the ambassadorship from his ailing father and had, on occasion, also been sent to a different place from Jim. Neither of them cared for this at all.
“It is only for six months,” Spock said, in an attempt to placate him.
“That’s what they said before when they sent me to Lorand and we were there for 18 months.” He sighed, frowned into his coffee, and then took a sip. “Perhaps it’s finally time to retire.”
Spock was understandably skeptical. Jim had talked of retirement before. After he’d been demoted to captain and then, finally, had the ship taken away from him for good. They’d promoted him again, once more to admiral. He was going to retire then, he’d told Spock, and yet, he couldn’t sit still even for a few minutes, and soon he was accepting this position which included so much diplomacy.
“I will support whatever decision you make, Jim.”
Jim sighed again. “I know. I’m tired of talking, Spock. I spend all day talking. Then I leave the conference and walk in the rain every day to come to this rundown place.”
It was hardly rundown. It was old though. One of the oldest homes on Armiron. They’d given him the home as a temporary residence believing it was an honor for them to stay in such an ancient revered home. But there were numerous challenges.
“I’m going to tell them. I’m giving it the six months and then I’m going back to Earth.” Jim drained his coffee. “First to our apartment in San Francisco. We’ll spend a month there. Then we’ll go to Riverside and spend maybe two there. And then to Vulcan to see your dad and a few months there.” Jim smiled then. “Doesn’t that sound good?”
“It does,” Spock agreed.
“Let’s plan on it.”
“Very well. When you are ready, I have soup warming for dinner.”
Jim handed his empty cup to Spock and then struggled to his feet. “I’m ready now. I think I just felt a raindrop. I never hated the rain before.”
Spock nodded and took Jim’s arm as they made their way inside. And even as he closed and locked the door to the patio behind them, the sky opened up and it poured again.
It was nearly midnight and Jim knew he should be sticking around for the virtual ball drop and for everyoe to screamHappy New Year while kissing everyone that they could get their lips on. But he’d finished his champagne, set down his glass, and snuck out a side door.
He’d explain to his date, Olivia, later. When last he’d seen her, she was surrounded by her throng of admirers. If she didn’t talk to him again, he wasn’t really sure that was a bad thing.
It was crisply cold outside and windy. It blew the scarf he’d wrapped around his neck around so violently it was a wonder it didn’t fly off into the air never to be seen again. He quickened his stride, wanting to be anywhere else but the streets of San Francisco as midnight struck.
There was only five minutes to spare when he made it inside the apartment building. He took the stairs two at a time not wanting to chance getting stuck if the lift broke down yet again.
It was a foolish dream. Time wasn’t even the same where Spock was. And yet, he had this burning need to contact his former first officer.
It has been months since their…whatever it was they’d had before their mutual departure.
He opened his apartment door, ordered the lights on, and rushed to his terminal. He immediately pulled up the information for contacting New Vulcan. But as the seconds ticked away and there was no answer, Jim’s heartbeat slowed, and disappointment soured the champagne that sat inside his stomach.
Jim briefly closed his eyes, willing himself not to give into the illogical emotion of regret. He hadn’t seen Spock since February. And yes they’d spent a night of scorching intimacy but parted as mere friends.
Spock had said so and Jim had done his best to convince himselr that was what he wanted too.
A knock on his door had him rising, prepared to face an angry Olivia or even a nosey Bones. He could hear the countdown to midnight outside his apartment even as he opened the door.
“Hello Jim.”
“Spock,” he whispered.
“Happy New Year.”
And the kiss he received at midnight was the best he’d ever had.
“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.
I got an idea last night while lying in bed that just won’t leave me alone, so I’ll be starting it soon and posting the first chapter at some point on A03, after it’s finished, and proofed. It’s rather amazing to me that after nearly ten years writing for this fandom I can come up with an idea I feel this strongly about writing but there you have it. Yes it will add to my WIPs but it is what it is. So look for that to appear sometime within this next week. I already have a title and everything.
As a child (okay and as an adult) I always remember feeling letdown when Christmas was over. You do so much planning and then blam, it’s over, and another year before the next one. So, there’s a slight element of that here.
Winona founder her son outside fairly early on the day after Christmas. She had been quite happy to have him home for the holiday season. A very rare treat. In fact, since he’d joined Starfleet and came its most famous starship captain, this was the only time it had ever happened.
They’d had a good day on Christmas with food and drink and presents. Lots of reminiscing and hoping for the future, whatever that would be. They’d gone to bed late, so it was why she was surprised to spot him outside from her bedroom window so early.
She pulled on her snow boots and a heavy coat and trudged on out there.
“I didn’t wake you, did I?” He asked as she joined him, bringing him a travel mug of steaming hot coffee.
“Not really. I got up to pee and saw you out here. You okay?”
“I don’t sleep late most days,” he admitted. “But I was particularly restless this morning.”
“How come?”
Jim shrugged. “Christmas is over. Not much to look forward to. The day after is always a bit of a letdown.”
“Yeah. But there’s always New Year’s. When do you have to be back in San Francisco?”
“January second. It’ll be here before you know it. I’m grateful we’re getting this time together though.”
“But?”
He smiled. “No but. I do… miss some people though.”
She smirked. “People huh? Not just one Vulcan in particular?”
“I understand he wanted to spend the break seeing his dad on New Vulcan. Just like I wanted to see you.”
“Mm.”
“Plus, before the break, we’d barely gotten started. Only involved officially for three weeks.”
She sipped her own coffee. “Who are you trying to convince? It’s okay to miss someone you love.”
Jim snorted. “Love? Who said anything about that?”
“Well either way you’ll be happy to know I have one more present for you.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s not under the tree though.” Her smile widened as she spotted the hover car down the path to their home, approaching quickly. “In fact, here’s the delivery now.”
“Delivery?” Jim frowned.
“I couldn’t quite get it delivered on Christmas.” She paused. “Him.”
The hover car pulled up right next to where they stood. The door opened and out stepped—
“Spock!”
Winona couldn’t keep the beaming smile off her face as Jim went straight into his first officer’s arms.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 