Flash Fic

Flash Fic May 29, 2026

Yeah, yeah, here’s part two (and one more to go)

Of course what seemed like a good idea at the time, insisting Spock leave him and go contact the ship, therefore making sure two of them were not injured, now sucked.

It was dark and cold and still no sign of a rescue.

He huddled under the emergency blanket sincerely hoping he wasn’t going into shock. He’d been shaking like a leaf for over an hour. Or it felt like an hour at least. He wasn’t sure on the timing, really.

It must have gotten dark on the planet at least an hour ago and he’d started shaking then. It could, of course, be shaking from the extreme temperature drop. He hoped it was. He didn’t want hypothermia or anything, though he didn’t really think that would happen. It was cold but not that cold, surely.

The pain in his twisted leg had switched to a dull throb but he didn’t know if that was good or bad.

He’d eaten two nutritional bars and he had one left. Of course what he really wanted was a big steak, even a ship replicated one.

Admittedly he hadn’t thought the rescue would take this long and he began to worry that Spock had never made it to safety or was somehow waylaid. He tried not to dwell on that.

If this was it, well, then, he had a lot of regrets.

For instance, not completely reconciling with his brother. Things were…better than they had been, but not where he would like them to be.

Maybe not treating his mother as warmly as he should have. He kept his distance, affectionately, but yes, he could do better.

And never telling Spock that he was in love with him. That was big on the list.

He could do nothing about it now, unless the rescue really did come.

“For now,” he said out loud. “I’m going to sleep.”

He supposed if he didn’t wake up, he wouldn’t know.

****

Jim let out a gasping breath.

“Easy, easy, you’re all right.”

“B-Bones?”

His friend’s grumpy face appeared above him. “That’s right.”

“Where…”

“You’re in the medbay on the ship.”

Jim closed his eyes in relief. ‘Spock?”

“He’s here. I’ll send him in, but give me a minute.” Bones scanned him. “You were close, kid. Too close.” He lifted a lever and Jim sat up. “How do you feel?”

“Really hungry.”

Bones nodded. “I’ll get you something while I send in Spock.”

“He’s okay?”

Bones snorted. “Except for the tongue lashing I gave him, he’s fine. I’ll be back with some food.”

Jim nodded, smiled. “Thanks, Bones. I owe you.”

“Yeah you do.” Bones squeezed his shoulder and was off.

He blew out a breath, waiting for Spock. It was time to come clean, no matter the consequences.

May 29, 2026 2

Flash Fiction, April 17, 2026

I’m not necessarily moving away from posting the continuing story here but today’s flash fic is unrelated and a stand-alone

There were a few things that needed to be done to the Enterprise that hadn’t been able to be finished on Yorktown so the starship had been moved to HQ in San Francisco to have those finishing touches done before the crew went out again.

There had been no reason to remain on Yorktown under those circumstances, so Bones and Jim had returned to San Francisco. Bones had arranged for his ex-wife to bring his newly turned thirteen-year-old daughter to San Francisco for the time Bones would be there before the Enterprise departed.

Naturally Jim’s bestie was incredibly excited at the opportunity to spend some quality time with his daughter and Jim was happy for him. But he didn’t intend to intrude most of the time they had together. Jim had some things he wanted to do also.

Jim had joined them when Bones had decided to take Jo on a tour around a lot of the city, but when they happened to finish the tour right by HQ Jim told them he was taking his leave.

“I have some meetings scheduled.”

“Meetings?” Bones frowned. “I thought maybe you could join us for an early dinner.”

Jim smiled. “I’d love to, Bones. Really. But I don’t think I’ll be free to make it tonight. Why don’t we plan something later in the week?”

“Later in the week?” Bones asked, doubtfully. “You’ll be that busy?”

“Well…”

Jo laughed. “Daddy, stop pestering Uncle Jim. I’m sure he has stuff he wants to do while he’s here. You can message him later and set something up.”

Jim shot her a grateful look. “She’s right. Go and go eat. Jo’s been talking about starving for the last twenty minutes.”

“Okay, okay. If you’re sure.”

Jim playfully shoved him. “Go on. I’m going inside.” He said gesturing to the HQ building. And he did just that.

Ten minutes later he walked back out again, looking down the street to make sure Bones and his daughter were out of sight.

With a satisfied nod, Jim shook his head and headed in the opposite direction from where his friend had been headed toward the sea.

When he reached an area with a railing, he paused and sent a message.

Here.

And then he waited, anticipation making his stomach flutter though he was a full-grown man of many years of experience. But something about this secret, clandestine meeting had him absurdly excited.

It had been years since this kind of thing.

Jim pulled the collar of his coat a little tighter around his throat as the ocean breeze picked up and the temperature dropped a little.

“Have you been waiting long?”

He didn’t turn around, but he smiled. “Yeah, I think I have.”

A hand on the small of his back forced a shiver down his spine.

“You are cold?”

He did turn a little when strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him close.

“Just a little chilly. I missed you.”

“You saw me when we parted this morning when you went on your tour with the doctor.”

Jim laughed. “I know. It’s just…”

“This is still new,” Spock spoke quietly.

“Yeah.”

“You could have informed the doctor about us.”

“I know.” Jim sighed and pulled away, conscious of making Spock too uncomfortable with such PDA. “I just sort of want to keep this between us for now.”

“You have doubts?”

“No,” Jim denied. “Just…it’s nice only the two of us. No one knowing or commenting or judging.”

“Eventually they will all know. We will have to report it.”

“I know that too. But we won’t have…this stage in our relationship won’t ever come again, you know, and I want to enjoy it.”

“Jim,” Spock said softly.

“Yeah?”

“I will not change my mind, T’hy’la.”

Jim looked away, felt the sting of tears he couldn’t keep from forming. “Yeah?’ He swallowed the heavy lump. “Okay.”

“I suggest we pick something up to eat, whatever you wish, as I am not particularly picky, and take it back to our hotel room, spend the rest of the day there exploring all there is to explore between us.”

Jim smiled. “That does sound good. And super hot too.”

Spock smiled a little. “And we will enjoy the experience so much we may as well do it tomorrow as well.”

“Now that sounds like an excellent plan, Spock.”

“I thought you would approve. Come Captain. I will warm you.”

Jim snuggled into Spock’s arms. “You do, Spock. You do.”

April 17, 2026

Flash Fic, April 3, 2026

This is sort of an Easter flash.

“Jim, what are you doing?”

Jim frowned as he looked up from the hard-boiled egg he held in his hand. “Huh? I’m making Easter eggs with Joanna.”

Bones made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a snort. “Yeah. About that. Can we speak privately, please? And bring the egg with you.”

Jim glanced at Joanna. The five year old was busily brushing an egg with a paint brush dipped in pink.

“I’ll be right back, okay?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

Jim rose and followed Bones out of the dining room where they’d set up their egg dying.

“What’s up?”

“Why are you here?” Bones asked.

“Because you asked me to come with you for Spring Break. Are you going senile, Bones?”

Bones smirked. “I know I did. Because you were weeping and wailing back in San Francisco and acting like the world was over.”

Jim felt himself flush. “I did not. There was no weeping. And hardly any wailing.”

“Uh-huh. I thought coming along with me was better than you moping back there for the week but now you’re moping here so I’m not sure there’s much improvement.”

“Well…”

“Let me see that egg.”

Jim reluctantly let Bones take the egg.

“How did you get that dismal gray color on it? I thought it was pink and purple and green.”

Jim scowled. “I don’t know. The colors sort of ran together.”

“And are those eyes and a mouth? Why did you do a frightening face?”

“It’s not frightening. It’s supposed to be a bunny.”

“Only if it’s some kind of rabbit horror movie for Halloween. Geez, Jim. Don’t quit the Academy and decide to be an artist.”

“You’re a big help, Bones.”

“Look, kid…”

“Uh-oh. Whenever you call me kid I’m in big trouble.”

Bones ignored that. “I get why you didn’t want to go to some party town for Spring Break. I know you’re upset about what happened between you and the hob…Vulcan.” Bones quickly corrected. “But you walking around here with your hang dog face isn’t helping anyone.”

“I’m not trying to bring anyone down, Bones,” Jim protested. “Okay, so I thought maybe Spock and I could possibly make some sort of relationship between us work, but I was wrong.”

“Well you couldn’t be any more wishy washy even when just talking about it. Did you actually talk to him about your expectations?”

Jim shrugged. “I started to. And that’s when he said he was going to spend Spring Break on Vulcan visiting his parents.”

“And what did you say?”

“Maybe I should come with you.”

Bones winced.

“Too soon, right? I know. I think that’s what scared him off. He mumbled—and believe me Spock does not mumble—that wouldn’t be wise or something like that. And then he was gone in a flash and I haven’t heard anything since. So, yeah, pretty sure we’re done almost before we got started.”

“Yeah,” Bones agreed. “Not sure seeing each other for a week counts as much of a relationship, Jim. Did you even…I mean… you know.”

Jim rolled his eyes. “No. But we were working our way toward that. I think. We’d kissed. You know both ways. And I actually thought we might spend Spring Break together and it might happen then, but then that’s when he said he was going to Vulcan and I said my idiotic thing.”

“I get it. But you’re acting pretty broken hearted for something that wasn’t even much of a thing yet. That’s not like the Jim I know.”

Jim blew out a breath. “Yeah. I just…I really liked him, Bones. A lot.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll try to be more cheery. Let me go back in there and finish those Easter eggs with Jo and then I think day after tomorrow, I’m going back to San Francisco.”

“That’s a couple of days early. You don’t have to do that.”

Jim smiled. “I know. But I want to. Get a good start on studying for the classes coming up.”

“Now I know you’re delirious. Okay, Jim. I’ll let you do what you want to do.”

“Thanks, Bones. Now why don’t you come help us with those eggs.”

Bones nodded. “Will do.”

Two days later, Jim opened his dorm room and stepped inside. He tossed his carryon bag into his bedroom and went into the kitchen to get himself a cold beer.

Now he had a few days before classes started back to decide what to do with himself. The truth was the whole domesticity in Georgia had been starting to get to him.

He took a swig of his beer and was about to take another when there was a knock on his door.

He set the bottle on the counter and made his way over. Not for the first time he wished there was a peephole in the door because there were at least a dozen individuals he did not want to see.

With a sigh, he cracked open the door and peeked out.

“Sp-Spock?”

Yes, Spock stood there at his door, dressed in black slacks and a navy sweater. Too hot for this time of year, but that was Spock.

Only Spock was not alone. Next to him stood a Human woman, with a flowery headscarf covering a lot of her dark hair, and dark eyes that resembled Spock’s or maybe the other way around because he very much feared this was Spock’s mother. On his doorstep. Unannounced. While Jim looked like something the cat dragged in.

“Jim?”

Jim swallowed and opened the door wider, hoping he didn’t look nearly as freaked out as he guessed he did.

“Spock, uh, what are you doing here?”

“I learned you had returned from Georgia and wished to invite you to have dinner with my mother and me.”

And just like that Jim’s ability to think crashed out. He blinked stared.

“Can-can you excuse me? I’ll be right back.”

Jim turned and left them standing at the door. He went into his bedroom, shut the door and sat on the bed, head in hands.

A moment later the door opened and in walked Spock.

“Jim? What is wrong?”

Spock now knelt in front of him, and he reached over to remove Jim’s hands from his face.

“Talk to me.”

“I-I…I think I’m having a panic attack.”

Spock nodded. “Why?”

“Wait. How’d you know I was back from Georgia?”

“Your friend Leonard McCoy advised me. As it turns out, my parents came to San Francisco, so I did not go to Vulcan, however by the time I had this information you had left to Georgia.”

“You-you really want me to have dinner with your mother? I thought…maybe you didn’t want that. I know it was too soon. But I figured maybe you didn’t want me to ever meet them.”

“I did think, perhaps, that it would be too soon to bring you to Vulcan for a variety of reasons. However, it was fortuitous that they came here and when I spoke of you, Mother wished to meet you.”

“You mentioned me to your mother?”

Spock was silent for a moment. “Was I in error? It was my understanding that expressing an interest in my family meant a specific interest in me, but…”

Jim grabbed Spokc’s face and kissed him hard.

After a moment Spock pulled away. “Then I am not wrong?”

“No, you aren’t. But Spock…I’ve been traveling all day. I look like—”

“You look good.”

Jim puffed out a breath. “I do not. I haven’t showered. I’m sweaty. My hair is a mess.”

“She will like you,” Spock said quietly.

Jim shook his head.

“She will. Because I do.” Spock stood up and helped Jim to stand. “Come. It will be all right, Jim.”

“All right. Okay.”

Spock led Jim back out of his bedroom and saw that Spock’s mom was at least standing inside his dorm instead of outside waiting.

“I’m, uh, I’m really sorry for that,” Jim said to her. “I was a little overwhelmed.”

She smiled. “And no wonder. We just showed up with no notice. I’m sorry about that. I’m afraid that was my eagerness to meet the man Spock won’t stop talking about. My name is Amanda. Forgive me?”

Jim returned her smile. “There’s nothing to forgive. And I’m Jim.
Jim Kirk.”

“And what do you like to eat Jim Kirk?”

“Anything but hard-boiled eggs.”

“What?” She laughed.

“Never mind. Italian?” He glanced at Spock, who shrugged.

“Very well. Italian it is. Let’s go.” She put one arm in Jim’s and one in Spock’s and off they went.

Happy Easter if you celebrate.

April 3, 2026

Kris’s Birthday Flash

Happy Birthday. Enjoy your hurt/comfort

Spock ran through the open doors and past a protesting Nurse Chapel.

“He’s in bed two, Mister Spock!” she yelled after him.

Spock turned and went toward bed two and discovered Jim attempting to sit up.

“Do not strain yourself,” Spock urged.

Jim made a face at him. “I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“I was told you collapsed in the medbay.”

“I fainted.”

Spock stared. “Fainted? But why?”

“Continue resting, Captain. Doctor McCoy wants to check you over.” Nurse Chapel appeared on the other side of the biobed Jim rested on. She took out a hypo.

“What’s that?” Jim asked, warily.

“Fluids,” she said cheerfully and then injected him. “He fainted at the sight of blood.”

Jim scowled. “It was a lot of blood. Ensign Wu tried to cut his hand off at the wrist in engineering and I happened to be here when Scotty brought him in.”

“He did not try to cut his wrist off, Captain,” she admonished. “He got caught in machinery and got a nasty gash.”

“It was dripping on the floor.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “But it’s cleaned up now.”

“There’s nothing wrong with me so I should be able to leave.”

“Doctor McCoy wants to look you over,” she said again.

“Oh Bones can stuff it.” Jim sat up and began to get off the bed, but as he went to stand his legs gave out and Spock had to keep his upright.

“My instructions were that he stay in bed!” McCoy exclaimed, suddenly appearing at of seemingly nowhere as Spock got Jim back onto the biobed.

“I told him,” Nurse Chapel said. “You know how he is.”

She moved off and Doctor McCoy took over.

“Damn it, Jim, do as your told.”

“All I did was faint,” he protested.

“Your vitals are all over the place, you’re dehydrated and you’re suffering from severe exhaustion.” McCoy glanced at Spock. “Aren’t you supposed to be looking after him?”

“Bones.”

“As Nurse Chapel just said, you know how he is,” Spock retorted.

McCoy shook his head. “You’ve earned yourself a night in the medbay.”

“What? Come on, Bones. I’m fine.”

“I say you aren’t.”

“I promise to rest in my quarters. I’ll drink fluids until they come out my eyes and ears. I swear.”

“No reports even.”

“Bones—”

“He will not,” Spock spoke up. “He will spend all evening and night in bed, eating and drinking properly.”

Jim opened his mouth, obviously to protest, but then saw the shared look between McCoy and Spock and sighed.

“Fine. Okay.”

“Do you think you can handle getting him back to his quarters or should I get a wheel chair?”

“No, no. No wheel chair!”

“I can assist him,” Spock replied.

“Okay. I’ll give you a list of instructions including food I want him to eat.”

“I’m right here,” Jim said.

“Uh-huh.” McCoy walked off.

Jim made a pouty face. “We were supposed to go to Frederick’s birthday dinner.”

Spock nodded. “I will notify them of our cancellation.”

“Well. You could go.”

“And leave you to disobey doctor’s orders? I think not.”

Jim smiled a little as Spock helped him off the bed. “You know me so well.”

“Of course.”

“That’s because you share a brain,” McCoy cracked as he came back. “I sent the instructions to your PADD, Spock.”

“Thank you, Doctor. Come along, Captain.”

And Spock got his captain back to their quarters, with only minor grumbling.

March 19, 2026

Flash Fic February 13, 2026

We interrupt our continuing story to give a sequel to the flash on January 16.

Jim closed his eyes and sighed, leaning his head back against the sofa cushion in his quarters just as Spock walked in via their shared bathroom.

They still maintained separate quarters, mostly because now Spock used his quarters for meditation and sometimes reports when he didn’t want to keep Jim up in Jim’s quarters, but most of the time, when Spock slept, he stayed with Jim in his quarters.

“Hey,” Jim greeted Spock with a weary smile.

“Are you well?” Spock asked immediately, concern in his tone.

“Mm. Just tired. It’s been exhausting working this all out for Bones, but worth it.”

“You will be glad to know that our guests arrived, and Doctor McCoy does not have any idea.”

“I am glad, thank you.’ Jim yawned. “I guess that means I should go greet them.”

“You can rest a little longer. You are still recovering from traumatic injuries. I welcomed them aboard on your behalf and they are settling in and preparing for the ceremony.”

Jim nodded and picked up the cup of tea he’d made himself earlier. He took a sip. He’d never thought he could get into tea drinking the way he had before Spock. But Spock had changed so much about him. Not that he had given up coffee. No way.

Spock hesitated and then said, “I have something for you.”

“Hmm?”

“I was going to wait but I think perhaps it is time to give it to you now.”

“What is it?”

“Given our deepening relationship, I thought it an appropriate expression of our commitment.”

Jim frowned. “Wait. Are you going to ask me to marry you?”

Spock arched a brow. “Technically we are already married.”

“In the Vulcan way, yeah, I know.”

“While I am not opposed to a Terran marriage ceremony that is not what this is.” Spock tilted his head. “I hope that does not disappoint you.”

Jim brushed that off with a wave of his hand. “What is it then?”

“I will be right back,” Spock promised, and departed through the shared bathroom once more.

Jim sipped his tea, wondering what it could be. He loved Spock like crazy, but it wasn’t like the Vulcan to be romantic. Sure, it was Valentine’s Day but as far as Jim knew Spock had never observed it. Jim hadn’t either for that matter, except maybe as a child giving his classmates Valentines.

Spock returned with a large square box that holes in it. And as Spock came closer to Jim he heard a distinctive high pitched squeaky sound.

Mewwwwwwwww

Jim straightened. “Wait. Is that—”

Spock set the box down on the floor next to Jim, reached in and withdrew a tiny orange kitten, which he then deposited in Jim’s lap.

“Oh. My. God. He is soooo cute.” Jim melted as he picked up the kitten and he started to purr instantly. “It is a boy, right?”

Spock nodded. “To be named as you see fit.”

“Where in the world did you get a kitten?”

“I had Leonard’s daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law bring it aboard with them.”

“This is…” Jim’s eyes brimmed with tears. “This is the best Valentine’s gift ever.”

“It is not meant to be specifically a Valentine’s Day presentation, Jim.”

He laughed as the kitten swiped a paw at him. “I know. But the timing is perfect. And I love him. And I love you. And now I’m going to want to spend all day, every day in here playing with this little guy. Damn it.”

He could feel Spock’s amusement through their bond.

Jim sighed. “We’d better go. Time for Bones’s surprise.”

****

“Jim, what the hell is this all about?” Bones demanded. “Making me come to the rec room. I’m a busy man.”

Jim smiled. “I’m sure you are.”

Mewww.

“Did you just mew at me?”

Spock stared at him. “Did you bring Marmalade with you?”

Jim grinned. “Well. I mean, how could I not?”

“Okay you two are even more nuttier than usual,” Bones protested. “What the hell?”

“Spock got me a kitten for Valentine’s Day.”

Bones eyed Spock. “You replicated a cat?”

“Certainly not. It was brought on board.”

“And that’s where your surprise comes in, Bones.”

“My what? Jim, I don’t have time for this nonsense.”

Jim squirmed as the kitten moved against his chest and popped his head out the top of Jim’s collar.’

“You really are crazy.”

“Bones, it’s time for…well…just come out, will you?”

As Bones’s daughter and fiancé suddenly walked into the rec room, Jim was satisfied to see Bones eyes bug out and that he was clearly speechless. Who would have thought he could manage that?’

“Daddy!” Joanna threw her arms around Bones who hugged her close. “We’re getting married on the Enterprise. Captain Kirk is going to marry us.”

Bones looked at Jim. “You did this?”

He shrugged. “Who else?” He swayed a little and Spock was instantly at his side helping him to sit. “Sorry I still get a little lightheaded sometimes.”

“You back in medbay when this is all over,” Bones said, turning toward the man who stood quietly by.

“Daddy, this is Mark.”

“Humph.”

Jim grinned and let the kitten swat at him with his paws. Spock sat beside him.

“Your plan was successful.”

“I’m a corny soft hearted sap at heart,” Jim told him.

Spock leaned over to capture Jim’s mouth with his own. “That I know.”

February 13, 2026

Flash February 02, 2026

Uhura moved out of his arms and gave him a tired smile. She looked good, though. She wore black slacks and a camel-colored sweater with big gold hoops in her ears.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Jim told her.

“Same.”

He gestured to the table. “Join me?”

Uhura nodded. “Let me just get my drink.”

He slid into the booth and a minute or two later she came back carrying what looked like an orange soda. She sat across from him and gestured to the drink beside him.

“Shirley Temple?”

“I’m here with my mother. She stopped drinking a while back. She’s joining me shortly.” He picked up his whiskey sour. “Where’s Spock?”

She stared at him just as she brought the orange drink to her lips. “Spock and I aren’t together anymore.”

He frowned. “You aren’t?”

“We’re divorced. Last year.” She shook her head. “Didn’t he tell you?”

“We don’t keep in contact,” he admitted softly.

Uhura closed her eyes briefly. “Who told you about Pavel passing if it wasn’t Spock?”

“Admiral M’Benga. On-on behalf of Bones.”

She lowered her gaze, eyes sad. When she looked back at him there was just the barest wet sheen there.

“It was a simple enough divorce. No kids. No bond.”

“You guys didn’t get bonded on New Vulcan?”

Uhura rolled her eyes. “No. And I can’t believe you don’t know that either. We were going to, after you married us, that was the plan. But the Elders on New Vulcan said we weren’t mentally compatible.” She grimaced. “After that Spock retreated even farther away from me. We should never have forced the marriage, but I guess we all thought that was the thing to do at the time. Have one moment of joy after everything. Trouble was the feelings we once had for each other couldn’t be recreated no matter how hard we tried. And we did try.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, and he was. He’d wanted it to work between them after it hadn’t worked between him and Spock.

“You really should talk to him, Jim.”

He ignored that and forced a smile. “How are you doing then? I’m guessing you’re going somewhere since you’re here at the bay.”

She brightened. “I’m going to Alonder 2. I might not be with Starfleet anymore, but I took a position as a communications director with the Federation’s President. She’s sending me to Alonder 2 for a conference related to their possibly becoming part of the United Federation of Planets. Do you know it?”

“I’ve heard of it and its richness of minerals.”

“Which is why they are desirable to join.” An announcement came over the speakers and she began to scoot out of the booth. “And that’s me. We should really get together soon, Jim. I know how difficult it’s been with the others, but I’d like to keep in touch.”

He nodded. “Okay. Take care of yourself, Nyota.”

“You too. And talk to Spock.”

She hurried off then just as his mother came through the swinging doors of the bar. She glanced back at the way Uhura had gone and then joined Jim at the table.

“Was that Commander Uhura?”

“Former Commander Uhura, yeah. She works for the President now and is off to Alonder 2.”

His mom nodded. “I’ve got our bags packed and already on the shuttle for Orion.” She picked up her Shirley Temple. “Paperwork is in order too. And I have a shot for you.”

He finished off his whiskey sour. “A shot?”

“Orion pheromones can be dangerous and you’re a magnet for attractive members of both genders no matter the species as well as a magnet for danger.” She pulled out a syringe from her purse. “Stick out your arm.”

“Is this really necessary?” But he stuck out his arm, and she pushed up his sleeve and pressed the needle in.

“We need to stay focused on the mission, Jim. Get those kids and get out.”

February 2, 2026

January 16, 2026 Flash Fic

A little bit of hurt/comfort and perhaps a hint for a flash to come in February

Jim leaned against the pillow in his biobed, smiling faintly as he listened to his best friend rant. There really was no other term for it.

“And then she just announces like it’s nothing that she’s gonna marry this boy.”

‘She’ was Bones’ daughter, Joanna, and ‘this boy’ was a grown man she’d met while they were both doing residencies in a Georgia hospital, because Jo was following in her father’s footsteps as a doctor.

“That’s good though, isn’t it?”

“I’ve never even met him,” Bones retorted as he held his tricorder up to Jim.

Jim smiled wider and nodded. “Kind of hard to do while you’re on a starship.”

“And I blame you for that. ‘It’ll be an exciting adventure, Bones. I have to have you with me, Bones’. And look where we are now?” Bones gestured to Jim.

“I definitely don’t want to be here,” Jim agreed. A wave of nausea hit him, and he blew out a long breath.

Bones watched him. “Let me give you another shot for that.”

Jim just nodded, which should tell anyone how truly bad things had gotten this time. He remained quiet while Bones hit him with a hypo in his arms.

“Better?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Did I tell you they’re getting married on Valentine’s Day?”

“Good for them.”

“Do you know who else got married on that day?”

“You.” Jim chuckled softly. “Not everyone who gets married on that day gets divorced, Bones.”

“I know. Still. Pretty corny, don’t you think?”

“Come on. It’s sweet. She’s sweet. You should be happy for her.”

Bones sighed. “It’s just that her life is passing me by, Jim. When we started this whole thing, she was a kid.”

“We were practically kids.”

“And now she’s going to be a doctor and get married. Where did the time go?”

“Beats me.”

Bones looked over when they both heard footsteps, announcing the arrival of Spock.

“I’ll go see how those test results are going and I’ll be back in a little bit,” Bones assured Jim.

“Hey,” Jim said to Spock as the Vulcan approached. “You got a break?”

Spock nodded. “I left the bridge in Mister Scott’s capable hands. You look very tired.”

“I am, yeah. It’s okay though. Bones was telling me about his daughter and her fiancé.”

“You need rest.”

“I will, I promise.” Jim looked him over. “You look pretty wiped out yourself.”

Spock hesitated and then admitted, “It is hard for me to rest or meditate when you are not there.” He shook his head. “It is strange.”

“Why strange?”

“Prior to our relationship I did not stay overnight with a companion,” Spock replied. “During my time with Nyota, I would always return to my own quarters after whatever time we spent together.”

Jim considered that. “What makes me different?”

Spock stared at him intently. “Everything,” he said, almost reverently.

Jim smiled and accepted the touch of Spock’s fingers to his.

Bones returned. “All right, are you done with the mushy stuff?”

“Yes,” Jim said, while Spock said, “I am uncertain.”

Bones rolled his eyes and looked at his PADD. “I’ve got good news, Jim.”

“Yeah?”

“Your test results are much improved, and your vitals are stable. One more night here for observation and in the morning, you can spend the rest of your convalescence in your quarters.” Bones looked up from his chart. “I want you resting there for forty-eight hours with no duty at all, not even reports.”

Jim glanced at Spock. “That’ll put a lot on you.”

“It is acceptable.”

“We’ll reevaluate after that as to when you can return to light duty. But you’ve got to follow my orders regarding this to the letter.”

“He will,” Spock spoke up.

“Yes,” Jim agreed without complaint.

Bones pointed at him. “You rest.” He pointed to Spock. “You out.”

Spock curved his hand around Jim’s. “I will see you in the morning, T’hy’la, to escort you to our quarters.”

“Great. Thank you.”

Spock left and Bones turned to him.

“Lights out. I’ll check on you later.”

“Thanks. And Bones. Maybe there’s a way for you to be at the wedding, you know? Let’s talk about it.”

“Okay, Jim. Go to sleep.” Bones paused as he went to turn away. “Don’t put us through that again.”

January 16, 2026

January 09, 2026 Flash

Rated: PG in case you are, er, um…offended by the functions of the body, or at least mention of them.

“Do Vulcans fart?” Jim asked, inappropriately, sure.

“What?”

They were trapped in a cave. The only way out would be folly. The aliens that had managed to injure both officers waited somewhere out there.

Jim had his back against an uncomfortable rock wall that dug into his back with sharp precision. He held his phaser at the ready, should it become necessary.

Spock sat nearby also holding his phaser. He had green blood smeared across his forehead from his injury. Jim’s left leg was currently oozing blood also from an injury.

“Do they fart?”

Spock gave him a trademark ‘you’re a dumbass human’ look. “I am not having this discussion, Captain.”

Jim shrugged. “I mean, I figure they do. Because you know, you’re humanoid and all. And all humanoids have those, er sorts of bodily functions, hell, even animals do. When my brother and I were kids, we used to speculate about that.”

Spock pursed his lips but did not make an inquiry as to what Jim meant.

“We’d play this game where we wondered which alien species would fart.”

“That is ridiculous.”

Jim laughed. “Well, we were kids. Bored kids at that. We’d sit out in the cornfields at night, looking up at the stars, and wishing we were anywhere but there. With Frank. He wouldn’t come out to those fields, so we spent a lot of time there.”

“I see.”

“I’ve spent time in pretty close quarters with a number of Vulcans, including you, and I’ve never smelled anything. So I wondered. But logically I’m guessing you do.”

“You are delirious,” Spock said without inflection.

He laughed again. “No. Just…I know I’m going to die here and I’m trying to distract myself with idiotic conversation.”

Spock glanced his way, but Jim didn’t move his own head to look at Spock. He kept his gaze trained where his phaser was pointed…the entrance to the cave.

“You are not going to die,” Spock said quietly.

“Sure.”

“At least not today,” Spock qualified.

Jim sighed softly but did not reply.

“For the record,” Spock spoke up. “I have also been in close quarters with you and have never smelled anything.”

Jim chuckled. “Good to know. You know you’re funny. No wonder Uhura wants to marry you.”

“Nyota does not wish to marry me.”

“Since when?”

“Likely around the time we ended our romantic relationship two months ago.”

“I didn’t know that,” Jim admitted.

“Because you do not pay attention,” Spock told him. “You are deliberately obtuse about a number of things.”

“Name one.”

Spock arched his eyebrow. “Besides the end of my relationship with Nyota?”

Jim rolled his eyes. “Yeah, obviously.”

“You do not seem to be aware that I have been attempting to court you for two months.”

Now Jim did look at Spock, with his mouth hanging open. “You what?”

“I have made my point.”

Jim blinked and looked back at the cave entrance. “Well. I mean, for the record, you are very subtle.”

“Clearly too subtle.”

“Clearly,” Jim said dryly. “So, um, suppose we do make it out of this alive, would you…I mean…would you like to do something together that might be considered a date?”

“Yes, since everyone else believes we have been dating for two months.”

“Now you’re delirious.”

“Ask them when we return to the ship,” Spock replied.

“If we do, you bet your cute ass I will.”

His communicator beeped to life.

“Son of a bitch.” Jim fished it out of his pocket and flipped it open.

“Scott to Captain Kirk.”

“Scotty! Spock and I are injured. Can you beam us up?”

“Locking on to your signals now.”

Jim grinned. “Hallelujah!”

In seconds he and Spock appeared sitting on the transporter pad. Bones stood, scowling, nearby.

“Scotty,” Jim shouted. “I could just kiss you!”

“You probably ought to leave that soft of thing to Mister Spock.”

Jim looked at Spock, who shrugged.

Bones came to Jim, ordering orderlies to help him onto a gurney.

“Hey Bones? Are Spock and I dating?”

“For the last two months, why?”

Jim sighed, glanced at Spock again, and grinned. “I guess you are my boyfriend.”

Spock’s lips twitched. “So it would seem.”

Bones rolled his eyes. “Take them both to the medbay. Stat.”

“Bones, do you think Gorns fart?”

“That’s it.” Bones took out a hypo and aimed it at Jim’s neck.

“Nooooo.”

January 9, 2026

Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

Category

Kris’s Birthday Flash

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