Well…I don’t often do Original Series but decided to change it up for today. Here you go,
Jim wasn’t sure why he thought things might be different between himself and Spock after his former first officer came back during the V-Ger incident. He supposed as his grammy used to say, “hope springs eternal”.
Nothing had changed.
Well, perhaps that was slightly unfair. Spock wasn’t the block of ice he’d been when he first appeared onboard the ship. With thanks to Bones for the descriptor. He’d softened as evident by his behavior in sickbay after he had melded with V-Ger.
But Jim had hoped for a more personal connection between them, or a personal conversation at least, and nothing had moved forward in that direction.
After the mission had ended, Jim had high hopes. In the last year of that mission, he and Spock had grown close. As the end came near, they’d even taken their…friendship…to more intimacy. There’d been kissing, touching and gratification.
More than Jim had ever dreamed of and he’d been happy to explore more with Spock.
And then…he’d gotten notice from Starfleet that Spock had resigned and had left for Vulcan. He’d been floored. Hurt. Devastated.
The rumors it was for Kolinahr made him physically ill. But he’d dealt with it. He was a Starfleet officer, not some teenaged boy with a crush.
His heart had leapt with joy at Spock’s reappearance, but that had been tamped down when Spock made it clear he was not there for Jim.
And yet, after the sickbay, they’d grasped hands. He’d felt…something…between them. Hope rose once again in his chest.
Now nothing.
Jim was due to meet Bones for dinner. His friend was returning home to Georgia in the morning. Not leaving Starfleet again, no. But taking a bit of a leave after everything with down. Jim couldn’t blame him. None of them were young men anymore. It took its toll. On Jim, too, but more for Bones.
Bones had chosen a steak place he liked at a restaurant only a block form HQ and so Jim made his way there. Bones already waited for him at a table there.
In front of Bones was a glass of bourbon. In front of Jim’s seat was a glass of red wine. Bones had asked him want he’d want.
“I’m not late, am I?”
Bones shook his head. “Right on time.”
Jim took his seat and immediately a sip of wine from his glass.
“You look tired.”
Jim nodded. “Too many meetings.” He sighed. “They’re pushing through with the admiral promotion again.”
“You already were an admiral,” Bones pointed out.
“I know. But I thought…when I had to take charge of the Enterprise—”
“You mean when you seized it from Decker.”
Jim gave Bones a disgruntled look. “Anyway, no more Enterprise now. Admiral Kirk it is.”
Bones shook his head. “We all need a break after what happened.”
“Maybe.”
“And Spock?”
Jim took another sip of wine. “What about him?”
“Where does he fit in?”
“He’s being promoted to Captain, that I know. And I believe he’s going to be training cadets. He’ll be in charge of the Kobayashi Maru simulations.:
“Nice. But that’s not what I meant.”
Jim raised his brows. “What did you mean, Bones?”
“Well.” Bones shrugged. “I just thought you and the hobgoblin—”
“Yeah, no.”
Bones grimaced, then nodded. “Okay. I won’t mention it again.”
Jim smiled. “Thanks, Bones. Let’s decide on what to have for dinner.”
****
Jim had just returned from seeing Bones off to Georgia and then stopping for donuts for a not so healthy breakfast and was settling into making himself coffee in his quiet apartment when there was a tap at his door.
He really didn’t want to deal with another bureaucratic summons, so he almost ignored it. But whoever stood on the other side of the door kept up a persistent knock.
With a sigh, Jim set his coffee mug down next to the plate where he’d placed a donut and went to open the door,
“Spock?”
“May I come in, Admiral?”
“Sure. Yeah.” He held the door wider to allow Spock to enter the apartment. “You want something to drink? I made myself coffee but I could make you tea. Want a donut?”
Maybe he was babbling, but he was a bit rattled to have Spock there.
“Not at present.” Spock walked straight over to Jim’s couch and sat.
So Jim had no real choice but to join him. He waited.
“I would like to discuss the future,” Spock finally said.
Jim blinked. “The future?”
Spock nodded.
“Whose future?”
“Ours.”
“Yours and mine?”
Spock arched a brow.
Jim laughed. “Well. I mean, mine and then yours or mine and yours.”
It took a moment but Spock nodded. “I see the distinction. I believe the correct answer is mine and yours.”
“So…you’re saying…”
Spock moved closer and kissed him.
Heart thundering, Jim said, “So that’s what you’re saying.” And he grabbed onto the collar of Spock’s unform and kissed him again.
