“In fact our replicators do and will replicate turkey,” Sarek’s voice carried over to where Jim and Spock listened, hidden in the hallway of Sarek’s house. “Because no actual bird is sacrificed, it is quite acceptable to do so.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize. That’s wonderful.” This was Jim’s mother. And yes, Jim and Spock were listening. “Does it taste like real turkey?”
“I confess I do not know that information as I never have developed a taste for meat and feel even trying something similar would not be palatable. But it is supposed to. In ancient times on Vulcan, pre-Surak, Vulcans would eat the flesh of animals they hunted.”
“Did they? Wow. I wasn’t aware of that either.”
Jim and Spock, and Winona for that matter, were all on New Vulcan visiting Sarek. They’d arrived two days before. Last time Sarek had visited them on Earth, Sarek and Winona had a flirtatious relationship going on. Which was why when Spock and Jim were going to visit during what would normally be Thanksgiving for Winona, she decided to come with them.
“There are many tales I could tell you that I suspect you would find fascinating, Winona.”
Jim looked at Spock, widening his eyes. “God, they’re going to end up sleeping together,” he whispered.
Spock’s lips thinned and he shook his head. For a moment Jim thought he was going to deny it. But then Spock put his hand on Jim’s forearm.
Chris looked up from his maple bacon donut at Zach who stood next to the counter where Chris leaned against eating his donut and sipping his espresso. “What?”
“Why don’t you do a Friendsgiving?”
“Why would I?”
“To have a big turkey feast with your friends.”
Chris shook his head. “Just come to my parents for Thanksgiving.”
Zach sighed. He turned away to nuke his coffee which had cooled after he put tons of cream in it. Chris had teased him about it.
“I won’t be here for Thanksgiving. Which is why I want you to host a Friendsgiving.”
Chris frowned. “Where will you be?”
“Back to New York.”
“Well.” Chris paused to take a bite of his donut. He needed a moment to deal with Zach leaving again. “When are you returning?”
“The Monday before Thanksgiving. I’m hoping to beat some of the crowds.”
“When would I do Friendsgiving then?”
“Saturday before. I just think it would be nice. All of us. You, me, our friends. Turkey, stuffing, pies.” Zach smiled. “I’d help of course.”
“Damn straight you’d help.” Chris made a face.
“What’s wrong, Christopher? You like to entertain.”
“Just bummed you’re leaving I guess.” He avoided Zach’s gaze.
“Hey.” Zach put his hand on Chris’ arm to draw his attention back to him. “I always come back.”
“Yeah.”
Zach put his hand on Chris’ jaw. “To you. It’s always back to you.”
They were out by the barn. Jim getting wood for the fireplace. His mom checking on the pony she’d bought from Mr. Jenkins up the road.
They, he and Spock, were there in Riverside in November to visit Jim’s mom. It would be a short visit. They were on leave. Jim had been surprised when Spock wanted to come with him. He supposed Spock’s recent breakup with Uhura had left him with no one to spend it with and no particular place to go.
They’d arrived that day. Had barely settled in.
“What’s between you and your first officer?” Mom asked.
“Between us?” Jim shook his head as he loaded wood into a wheelbarrow. “What do you mean?”
“I see the way you look at each other. There’s more there than friendship, isn’t there?”
Jim laughed. “No. There’s nothing between us like that, Mom. Honestly it took forever to even be friends.”
His mom frowned and came to sit on a little stone wall near where he worked.
“Really?”
Jim took a break from loading wood to go and sit by her. “The first time we met it was at an assembly to accuse me of cheating on a test he’d programmed. He detested me. Then when the distress signal came from Vulcan and we were on the Enterprise, well…”
“What?”
She hadn’t heard any of this before. She hadn’t told her.
“We had a…a fight. We disagreed on what was to be done to battle against Nero. You have to understand, Mom, he loathed me at that point.”
She pursed her lips. “Go on.”
“He had them dispose of me.”
“Dispose of you?” she asked sharply. “Just what does that mean?”
“He sent me off the ship in a pod that landed on Delta Vega.”
“The ice planet?”
“Mm.”
“I don’t understand. Isn’t that against Starfleet regulations?”
Jim shrugged slightly. “Yes. Save for the appearance of…of another…I would have lost my life there. It was inhabited by giant creatures who wished to make a meal of me.”
“Jim!”
Jim looked away. “Even now I sometimes think of that time. When I returned to the Enterprise, Spock…tried to strangle me.”
She stared at him, coldness in her eyes. “And how is it that he was not brought up on charges?”
“It was a long time ago and his mother had just died.” Jim shook his head. “I’ve made peace with it.”
“I’m glad you have because I’m furious!”
“Mom.” He reached over and took her hand. “I don’t tell you this to make you hate Spock. It’s just…I’m explaining why it took us so long to even be friends. Until recently he was in a long term relationship with a human woman. We’re friends now. Good ones. But there’s…Spock isn’t interested in me that way.”
She sniffed. “Well his loss.” She patted his leg. “I’m going to go get dinner started unless you need help.”
“No, I got this.”
A few minutes after his mother left, Spock approached and began to help him put wood in the wheelbarrow.
“You done with meditating?”
“Yes.”
Spock seemed pensive and kept glancing Jim’s way.
“What?”
“May we speak, Jim?”
Jim straightened. “Sure. What’s on your mind?”
“I…I was unaware you still thought about your time on Delta Vega.”
Jim looked at him in surprise. ”You heard?”
“It was not my intention to eavesdrop. I did overhear though.”
“Well. I can’t lie. Sometimes I do think about that. I’ve dreamed about it.”
“Jim, I would never—”
He held up his hands to stop him. “I know, Spock. I know we aren’t there anymore.”
Spock stared at him, dark eyes tumultuous. “I have definitely been too subtle.”
“Hmm?”
“Jim, I wished to come with you because—”
“You had nowhere else to go?” Jim guessed. “I mean we didn’t have time to go to New Vulcan.”
“I did not wish to go to New Vulcan. I chose to come with you because I want to be with you.”
Jim blinked. “Uh. Like-like a friend?”
Spock slowly shook his head.
“Damn.”
“I am uncertain as to what that response means,” Spock said.
Jim nodded. “Then let me show you.”
He stepped forward, grabbed the collar of Spock’s sweater and pulled him into a deep kiss. He smiled. “Well?”
“Enough talking.” Spock pulled him into his arms and covered his mouth with his.
After a few more minutes, Jim stepped back, eyes shining. “Let’s go start a fire. Mom’s going to be surprised.”
“I do not think she likes me.”
Jim laughed. “She’ll grow to love you. Trust me.”
“And you?”
“I’m already there.” He took Spock’s hand. “To the future.”
Jim Kirk smiled faintly as he stood outside the old church, listening to the hymn they sang. It brought back many memories. Good ones this time.
He glanced overhead at the sky, fluffy white with clouds. A perfect Earth day.
A short time later he was aware of the service breaking up, so he stood aside as church members exited the church and waited.
It had slowed to a trickle when he saw her. She was frail, very thin and slightly hunched over. But he would recognize her anywhere.
He stepped out. “Gran.”
Her eyes widened and then almost immediately filled with tears. “Jim!”
She practically ran into his open arms as he pulled her close, holding her tight against him as she wept.
“They said you were dead,” she managed to wail out.
“Nah.” He tightened his grip.
After a few minutes of crying she finally pulled back but only a little. Her shaky hands touched his cheeks.
“It is you. I’d know that beautiful face anywhere.”
He laughed. “Of course it’s me.”
‘Gran’ was his dad’s mom. As close as he’d ever get to knowing his dad. As a child he’d spent a few summers with her and even a Christmas. She was his favorite person in the whole universe, really.
He linked his arm with hers. “I’m here for a visit.”
“How long?”
“A week.”
And then Spock appeared, walking toward them.
Gran frowned slightly. “Who is this?”
Spock stopped before them and bowed slightly. “Spock of Vulcan, ma’am.”
“Vulcan.” She nodded. “I’m sorry for the loss of your planet, young man.”
“Thank you.”
She looked from Jim to Spock. “And you are?”
“Jim’s first officer.”
“Hmm. I’d say you’re more than that. My home’s right there.”
And it was. She’d always had a home right next to the church she attended. She liked to walk there.
A few minutes later, she was letting them into her house.
“And here you are at Thanksgiving!” Her eyes lit with joy. “You’ll be staying here of course!”
Jim smiled. “We’d love to.”
“Sharing a room, are you?” She looked pointedly at Spock.
“If convenient.”
She waved her hand. “I’m old enough to have seen everything, young man. If you’re sweet on my Jim, that’s good enough for me.”
Spock’s lips twitched. “I am.”
Gran laughed. “Good. Now we can plan our feast.”
“I’ll cook for us, Gran. You should rest.”
She snorted. “Stuff and nonsense. We’ll cook together.”
“Like old times.”
“Yes.” She took his hand and held it. “George would have been so proud of you.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’m happy if you are. That’s what matters to me.”
She got teary again. “Of course I am. And absolutely thrilled to know you aren’t dead. I’ve lost too many of my boys.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I should have found a way to let you know.”
She sniffed. “You’re here now. And it’s going to be quite the party!”
Spock had only been seeing Jim for three weeks when Jim announced he would be leaving for a good part of the month of November.
They’d met at the beginning of the school year. Spock had already done all the course work for the Academy and graduated. Jim was behind him a few years but he was speeding through his courses and was teaching a battle tactics class for extra credit. Everyone Spock knew was highly impressed with the young son of George Kirk who had never known his father.
Spock among them.
It took him until the middle of October before he asked Jim out. It was for something simple coffee and tea. Jim had accepted with this soft smile that showed his bunny teeth and Spock had been smitten.
They’d taken things rather slowly, in Spock’s opinion. In the three weeks they had seen each other nearly every night, they had shared a few kisses, but nothing more.
He’d gotten advice from Pike one day and he had shared with Spock that despite appearances and rumors that Jim was actually shy.
When Jim told him he would be going away for November, Spock had been stunned into momentary silence.
“Nothing to say?” Jim asked, with that same soft smile.
“Are you leaving the Academy?”
“No.” Jim laughed though Spock didn’t know what was funny. Jim laughed a lot and it often puzzled Spock but it was such an infectious laugh, Spock didn’t mind. “I’ve cleared it with them. I’ll be back before the end of the month. My friend will be covering my battle tactics class while I’m gone.”
“Where are you going?”
“I have a friend I need to visit on a faraway planet.”
He never said what planet and after he left, Spock realized he should have asked. He’d only said he would be back on November 21 in the afternoon.
Jim had said before he departed, “Don’t worry, Spock, I’ll be back before you know it.”
That turned out not to be true. Spock knew that some said time flew but all Spock realized that each day with Jim gone was agonizingly long.
Spock had fallen in love with Jim without even knowing it. And when Jim did come back, because Spock found himself almost praying that he would, Spock would make sure Jim knew.
At some point Spock began to become concerned that this “friend” Jim went to visit was a lover. He hadn’t explained and Spock hadn’t thought it was right to ask, but now he wished he had. There were so many things he wished now.
In the meantime, he would have to wait until November 21st.
Vanik knew his two uncles, Spock and Jim, were not having a costume party, per se, but he didn’t get a chance to dress up in a getup, well, every, so he dressed in a medieval knight costume, made of fabric rather than steel, of course, and headed over to their apartment in eager anticipation.
He was momentarily nonplussed when the door did not open as soon as he knocked. They had been expecting him.
Vanik knocked again.
This time it opened after a short hesitation and his uncle, Spock, stood there. He did not look happy to see Vanik. He never did, of course as no Vulcan wanted to look happy, but this was a…specific unhappiness.
“Vanik, I think we have to cancel tonight.”
Vanik stepped inside the apartment, filled with dread. He recalled the winter season when his uncle had made a mess of everything with Jim and Jim had gone to Riverside. Vanik had to go after him to fix things. He certainly hoped Spock hadn’t sent Jim packing again.
Then he saw Jim.
Jim was pacing back and forth, looked very upset, and had a red face as though he’d been crying.
“What is wrong? What happened?” Vanik asked.
“Vanik.” Jim stopped. Shook his head. “I’m sorry, buddy, but I can’t do this. Not tonight.”
And then to Vanik’s astonishment Jim left both him and Spock standing there in the living room, departing for the bedroom he shared with Spock.
Vanik turned to Spock with a questioning look. “What have you done?”
“I have not done anything. I am not responsible.” Spock eyed him. “What are you supposed to be?”
“A knight. What has him upset if not you?”
“Vanik, this is adult stuff and—”
“Please do not dismiss me as though I am incapable of understanding adult upsets. If our plans are canceled I would like to know why.”
Spock was quiet for a moment, then nodded. “Jim’s brother was here in San Francisco and failed to let Jim know. When Jim asked him about it he told Jim he had no desire to reconnect with any of his family members, Jim included.”
“That is terrible.”
“Yes. Jim says he doesn’t really have a family and he’s been upset since.”
Vanik crossed his arms over his chest. “And you told him that was wrong, right?”
“What?”
He sighed. “We are his family. It sucks that his brother is too stupid to want Jim in his life, but that does not mean Jim has no family. He has us. We are his family. Plus, I believe Jim still has his mother, wherever she is. But regardless, he definitely has us.”
“True.”
Vanik nodded. “You go in and tell him he has all the family he needs.”
“Vanik—”
Vanik stared Spock down, but to his satisfaction Spock finally went to the bedroom.
Many minutes passed but Vanik decided to occupy himself by getting all their food, snacks, and candy ready. If Vanik was correct, Jim would come out and wish to gobble lots of food. Humans often ate when upset and Jim was no different as far as Vanik could tell.
A half an hour later, the bedroom door opened and both Jim and Spock came out.
Jim smiled when he saw what Vanik had done to set up the place for their festive night.
“This looks great.” Jim walked over to Vanik and knelt down beside him. “And I’m sorry.”
“Are you feeling better now?”
“I am. Thanks to you. Spock told me what you said. And you’re right.” He gave Vanik a hug which Vanik happily returned. “Now let’s get this party started.”
It was a food fest as well as a scare fest and Jim even let Vanik sit on the couch with him and Spock.
Jim eyed him out of one closed eye. “I’m not a dog. Not this year.”
Boyce got close to Jim in the hospital bed and scanned him with a medical equipment. “What are you supposed to be? Big Foot?”
He raised his arm to block the light Doctor Boyce shined in his eyes. “Ouch. Do you mind?”
“What is his condition, Doctor?” Spock asked from somewhere in the room. Jim couldn’t see him.
“Seems to have a bit of a concussion.”
“Seems?” That was Bones. Sounded outraged too. “What kind of a doctor are you?”
Boyce straightened and gave Bones the evil eye. “Listen, son, I was treating injuries when you were still in nappies.”
“Can we maybe focus on me?” Jim wondered.
“You’ve got a nasty bump on your noggin.” Boyce smiled. “No fleas though.”
Jim would have rolled his eyes except it would have hurt.
“You’re going to have to spend the night for observation.” He glanced over, Jim figured, at the other two. “Your boyfriends will have to come back tomorrow.”
Bones choked.
“Boyfriend,” Spock said icily. “I am Jim’s mate.”
“Oh. Okay. I assumed you were a threesome.” Boyce patted Jim’s shoulder. “Get some rest. I’ll send a nurse in to remove that costume. Whatever it is. Try not to end up here next Halloween.” He eyed Bones. “Now that I think of it since it was the other one last year and this kid here this year, it’ll be you next time.”
“Over my dead body,” Bones mumbled.
Boyce looked at Jim. “What happened anyway?”
“I slipped in, uh, cow, uh, you know, at the Halloween Festival and hit my head.”
“Ah.” The doctor nodded. “That explains the smell. The nurse will give you a sponge bath too. You two out.”
“But—”
“Out. He needs rest. Come back in the morning.”
Then all three of them left and shortly after Nurse Ratchet appeared a few minutes later. She seemed to take pleasure in yanking his ruined costume off and rubbing his skin raw.
Jim looked over his shoulder at Spock, who had just come into Jim’s quarters from their shared bathroom.
“It’s a ghost.”
“A ghost?”
Jim grinned as he finished hanging the “ghost” from his ceiling. It was a round ball covered in a white sheet with glowing red eyes, and with a remote control it would wiggle and fly a bit with spooky music playing. He stepped off the step stool.
“I had this when I was a kid. When we had that break on Earth recently and I saw my mom I asked her if I could have it.”
“Why?”
“She was going to throw it away if you can believe it.”
Spock eyed it. “I can believe it.”
Jim laughed. “It’s spooky season so I wanted to hang it up.”
“So it will normally not be hanging from the ceiling?”
“No, I guess not.” Jim grabbed the remote and pressed it, grinning madly while Spock watched it with undisguised derision. When it was still once more, Jim grabbed Spock and kissed him. “How about that chess game?”
Much later, in the middle of the night, Jim turned it on again, cackling when Spock sat straight up in bed.
When Spock rose, his hair standing on end, his hands on his hips, he glared at Jim.
Sam gave his brother a nasty look. “I changed my mind. Another day.”
“But it’s almost Halloween and you said—”
“I’m not going to carve a damn pumpkin with you, all right? Halloween sucks and you’re too old to be dressing up and going trick or treating and carving pumpkins.”
Jim stood there holding the pumpkin he’d wanted to carve. He could feel the sting of the tears pooling in his eyes, and the painful lump in his throat.
Sam crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Anyway, you need to grow up. Things are going to change around here.”
“Change?”
“That’s right. I’m making plans to split.”
Jim blinked, aware that dislodged some of the tears he’d fought to suppress onto his cheeks. “You can’t leave.”
“Watch me.”
“Keptin, we’re beginning the pumpkin carving contest. Didn’t you want to compete, sir?”
Jim forced a smile as the memories of Sam’s cruelty and abandonment got pushed aside. “I think there are plenty of competitors, Ensign. I’ll be happy to judge.”
Chekov nodded. “Okay, Keptin.”
Jim was aware of Spock moving over to appear by his side. “Hey.”
“You are not participating in the festivities?”
“Not these ones, no.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “The whole…pumpkin carving thing sort of brings up some memories from my childhood I’d rather forget.”
He remembered throwing and destroying that pumpkin he’d picked out of so many at the pumpkin farm after Sam’s rejection. It made him sad the instant he’d smashed it to bits. All it had done was upset him, not Sam, and Jim figured he’d learned an important lesson that day.
He turned to face Spock when he realized the Vulcan was watching him carefully.
“What?”
“I do not like it when you are…melancholy.”
“Sorry, sweetheart.”
“You owe me no apology. I know that this relationship is new for both of us, I just do not know what to do to clear the clouds I see in your eyes sometimes.”
Jim smiled and put his hand on Spock’s arm. “You’re doing good, I promise. Help me judge these things?”
“Of course. Though I am not certain I can be entirely unbiased. Nyota has entered.”
“Yeah? What’s she doing?”
Spock paused. “Us.” Jim laughed. “This I gotta see.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 