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Flash Fic

Pretty Paper

“Jim, where are you going? The party barely started.”

Jim paused at the not so subtle condemnation in his CMO’s tone. But as his gaze swept across the rec room one more time and landed on Spock and Uhura, arms around each other, as they socialized with everyone else at the party, he was reminded as to why he considered that position on Yorktown.

“Not feeling very celebratory.”

Bones followed his gaze and then back to Jim’s face. His expression was not without sympathy even if his words were a bit. “You need to get beyond it, Jim. You can’t keep letting it eat you up. It’ll effect your duties.”

“It’s not,” Jim snapped.

“I didn’t say it was. I said it will. You didn’t heed my advice and get them transferred, so you gotta buck up and accept it. Move on.”

Jim nodded. “I have. I had a grand old time just last month on shore leave with Areel Shaw.”

“Is that serious?”

He snorted. ‘Nah, not really.” He grabbed up a glass of what Sulu had declared was Holiday Spiced Punch and a plate that contained about a dozen decorated cut-out cookies. “I’m off to my quarters, Bones.”

“You’re going to have a belly ache,” Bones called after him.

“Yeah, yeah.”

He made it back to his quarters without being accosted by anyone and the minute he did, he stuffed a cookie, in the shape of Santa’s boot, into his mouth. He set the punch down and went to his wardrobe to get out of his uniform, munching absently on the cookie. He opened a drawer and discovered a square-shaped box neatly wrapped in shiny red paper with a glossy green bow around it.

Jim pulled it out, smiling. Had to have been Bones, he thought.

There was a tag, well, a folded card anyway, so he lifted it up and saw the words To: Jim From: Spock.

Now that was weird. Spock? Give him a gift?

He brought it to the bed and sat down to open it. Inside was a knitted sweater, one that Spock’s mom had made for Spock, Jim recognized it as one Spock wore frequently, when casual, which was still not that frequently. He lifted it up and a note fell out.

I understand that sometimes a treasured possession given as a gift to another can be a way to declare ones intentions and warmer feelings. If you share those warmer feelings I ask that you wear this to the holiday gathering. If you do not, I will know.

Oh crap. No wonder Spock wouldn’t look at him. Not the entire night.

Jim hurriedly tore off his uniform shirts and slipped the sweater over his head. It smelled of Spock. He grabbed another cookie on the way out, and scrambled back to the rec room, hoping it would not be too late.

The door opened as he approached and out came Spock. He stared at Jim.

“I do,” Jim said, breathless. “I feel everything. My feelings aren’t just warmer they’re burning up.”

For far too long Spock continued to stare, wordlessly. And Jim started thinking he’d gotten it all wrong after all.

Then Spock’s lips quirked upward, his arm reached out, his hand extended, and he grabbed onto that sweater, pulling Jim toward him. Their lips met. And somewhere, Jim heard music.

“It’s the holiday music from the party,” Spock said, amused, against his lips. “Did you want to go back inside?”

“Hell no. I have cookies in my quarters. Let’s go there.”

Silent Night

Jim closed the oven door after peering at the half-baked gingerbread people. He set the time on his watch. And glanced out toward the window. Sighed. He walked over to the coatrack and only picked out a scarf, which he wrapped around his neck.

She hugged herself as Jim approached her on the ground just below the porch steps. Each hand was on her sweater-covered elbows. She got kind of quiet and melancholy around the holidays. Thinking of his dad, Jim figured.

“You okay, Mom? The gingerbread’s in the oven.”

“Sure. It’s so…silent.”

He smiled a little. “There’s never a lot of noise out here.” His smile slipped. “Unless it was Frank yelling.”

“Mm hmm.” That was all she said in acknowledgement of their mutually hated enemy. Jim supposed there wasn’t much else to say.  He knew her arm still pained her when it got too cold from the bad break he’d given her. Just as she knew he had never repaired the chipped tooth he had in the back of his month from the punch he’d taken. Dark family secrets best ignored now that Frank was gone.  “It’s quietest when it snows, oddly enough. Think it’ll snow this year?”

“Probably not this early. Not this year. It’s been warmer than last winter I think. Pretty much everywhere.”

He wondered again why he had come here this winter break. Why he hadn’t just stayed in San Francisco, as he had the prior year. She had asked and he had nothing else to do and nowhere else to go. Bones went to Georgia. He’d invited Jim, but Jim didn’t feel like being a nuisance, the poor unwanted friend who messed up Bones’ family plans.

And then…

His mom stiffened suddenly as Jim saw the approaching hover car lights at the same time as she did.

“Who could that be?”

They both squinted against the bright light as the hover car stopped in front of them to the left. The lights went out and the door opened, a lone figure stepping out.

And though Jim couldn’t really see him well, Jim would know him anywhere, that shape, that height. That awareness.

“Spock!”

He moved forward and before he even thought to stop himself he threw his arms around the Vulcan. “You came.”

Comfort and Joy (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)

Jim woke to the feel of surrounding love and warmth. As though he were enclosed in a cocoon. It was not exactly a strange feeling, but one he was definitely unused to.

He was almost too warm, bordering on uncomfortably hot, but he still didn’t wish to move or dislodge the heavy Vulcan body encasing him.

Spock’s arm was firmly tucked against him, holding onto Jim’s middle as though he never intended to let Jim go.  That would be okay with Jim.

Of course, he knew they would be forced to move eventually. They had too much to do, too many duties, too much whatever to do, but for now, he was content to stay there.

When Spock stirred, he was so close to Jim he felt the hot breath on the back of his throat. The arm already wrapped around him tightened more.

“Good morning,” Jim whispered. The words were simple but felt unused. He couldn’t remember when he’d awakened like this before with anyone and that it was with Spock…Jim could barely fathom that.

“Good morning.” Spock’s voice sounded both hoarse and hesitant.

Jim feared that Spock regretted everything and that he would suddenly release Jim and scramble from the bed to beat a hasty retreat. He felt himself tense in anticipation.

But Spock’s arm pulled him closer against him. And Spock murmured, “This is a most pleasant awakening.”

Jim’s chest loosened and his heart leapt. “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Yeah. It sure is.”

“I have been waiting a long time for this.”

“You have?” Jim asked, surprised. Then he turned to teasing, “Mistletoe?”

“No,” Spock answered as though Jim had been serious. “Though I am pleased it got the matter going, so to speak. That and the chocolate caramel Nyota slipped me.”

“She gave you candy?”

“To loosen me up for the holiday gathering.”

“Maybe she deserves a commendation for that,” Jim said, this time only half joking. “For the record, I have too.”

Spock’s other arm came around him, turning him around to face Spock, gathering Jim close to his chest. Jim sighed against Spock’s throat.

“Love is a many splendored thing,” he murmured.

“Hmm?”

Jim shook his head. “Nothing. Never mind. I don’t want to move.”

“Let’s not.”

Jim smiled. Kissed Spock’s pulse at his throat.

“This is such comfort,” Spock whispered.

His smile widened. “Such joy.”

Flash Fic, November 29, 2019 (Fall Guys)

“Okay,” Jim announced after breakfast following their gratitude feast. “Thanksgiving is now over, so it’s time to think about Christmas.”

That morning, Spock had toasted pumpkin bread with vegetarian spread on it while Jim had made himself a turkey, broccoli, and cheese omelet.

“It is not yet December.”

“Right, but there’s a lot of planning. Gotta get a tree, decorate it, get stuff for you, find something for Hanukkah, watch holiday movies…”

“Holiday movies?”

“Oh yeah. I have copies on my computer of every A Christmas Carol ever made. And lots of other things too. Rudolph, Christmas Vacation, Prancer—”

Spock frowned slightly. “Am I expected to watch all these as well?”

Jim’s smile brightened. He looked suddenly quite dangerous. Spock put his PADD down.

“Well…you don’t have to.”

Spock allowed himself a moment of relief.

“If you love me, however…”

“I will watch them,” Spock said quickly.

“That’s the spirit. It’ll be fun. And we can drink egg nog, well I can, you can have, um hot chocolate, and then there’s the night we go caroling.”

“Carol…what?”

Jim laughed. “Not like, um, you know, Carol Marcus, we’d go singing. Holiday Carols.”

“I do not sing, Ashayam.”

“Okay, okay, maybe I’ll let you slide on that.”

“Thank you.”

Jim’s smile suddenly disappeared, and he went to where Spock sat on the couch and perched himself on Spock’s lap. Spock eagerly pulled him closer.   

“I never really got to celebrate too much, you know? Growing up. It was no fun without Mom. And Frank…”

Spock put his fingertips on Jim’s lips. “Do not think on him, Ashayam.”

Jim nodded.  “And I ‘m always so busy on the ship, I don’t allow myself too much merriment there either. We may not get an opportunity like this for years, if ever, so…I’d like to make it kind of special.” He leaned down to kiss Spock quickly. “With you.”

Spock cupped Jim’s jaw then. “We will do anything and everything you wish to do, Jim.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. Everything.”

“I love you, Spock.”

“And you are everything.”    

Wednesday Flash November 27, 2019

You might be sorry I added this!

“What are you doing out here?”

Jim looked over his shoulder at Bones and smiled. “Out here? This is a space station, can it really be out here?”

“Jim…”

“You’re the one that compared it to a snow globe.”

“You’re deflecting.”

Jim sighed as Bones came up to sit next to him on the bench overlooking the manmade park for Yorktown. It was made to look like Golden Gate Park. Jim thought it failed.

“Are you avoiding someone in particular?”

“Just…no, not really.”

“I’m sorry, Jim. I know you were hoping…”

“No,” he interrupted quickly. “No. I wasn’t hoping that. At all.”

Bones patted his knee. “They’re about to cut some of the pie. You should come back to the dinner. Everyone’s asking after you. Ensign Parks made the sweet potato pie special for you.”

He didn’t have the heart to admit he didn’t care for sweet potato pie. Instead he nodded. “I’ll be right in.”

“Jim…”

“I will. I need to contact my mom.”

Bones sighed. “Okay. Under ten minutes, Jim.”

The first thing his mom said was, “You look wrecked.”

He smiled faintly. “Nah, I’m okay. Just still a little soreness from my injuries. Which had mostly healed. I’m good.”

“And emotionally?”

“Also good. Promise.”

“Wish I was there. Or you were here.”

His smile widened. “Me too. But I couldn’t let today go without contacting you. I guess I’m expected back inside for dessert. Dinner’s over.”

“Was it good?”

“Delicious. They did a great job with the turkey and all the sides.” He paused. “How about you, Mom?”

“Oh, I went to a restaurant. With just me, it’s not worth it to make anything. But it was good.”

He felt sad again, but didn’t think it was a good idea to let her see. She couldn’t change anything anyway. It was what it was.

Kaiidth.

Yeah, he sounded like Spock.

He blew out a breath and forced a smile. “I should go. Happy Thanksgiving, Mom.”

“Okay, Jim. Talk soon. Happy Thanksgiving.”

He closed his communicator and stood, to be faced with Spock.

“Oh. Hi. I was coming back inside.”

“Yes. I was told to check on you.”

Jim smiled. “Everything okay?”

“Affirmative.” Spock hesitated. “Captain, I was wondering if I could speak to you later, after dessert.”

“Sure, Spock. Any time.”

He followed Spock inside and smiled at and thanked Ensign Parks as she excitedly handed Jim a slice of sweet potato pie. “This looks delicious, Ensign, thank you.”

His smile slipped only a little when Spock returned to Uhura’s side. Uhura stood talking to Sulu and his husband and daughter. She put her hand on Spock’s back as he rejoined them. Jim shook his head and turned away to seek out Bones. He could use a drink.    

Try to Remember

And so we come to the end of Spirk TOS OMS for November. I decided to post it a little earlier than originally planned so I can get it all up for the OMS Challenge in AO3. I think I wasn’t supposed to post the whole thing elsewhere but you know, only a few of you read me here anyway. And I hope you will enjoy reading it all at once on AO3 when it appears.

Look for TOS Spirk to make appearances in the 25 Days of Christmas

Spock liked to indulge Jim whenever he could and so, when Jim had mentioned to him that he wanted to have a small gathering of friends the last Thursday of November, in San Francisco, before they were to depart later that weekend for a few weeks in Aspen, Colorado, Spock had agreed.

Many hundreds of years ago it had been a tradition in what was part of the United States to have a huge meal to be thankful of all that one had in one’s life. Spock had read about it, prior, of course, and had been informed again about it by Jim.

He had invited all of their former crew members, McCoy, Uhura, Sulu, Chekov, and Scott. Their family really. Uhura and Scott would be attending together, of course, for Mr. Scott had made it clear he was sweet on her, and Spock guessed, she him.

Jim greeted them all warmly, pouring wine freely, and generally being an affable host to all. He had made a turkey, stuffed with bread, for those that ate meat, and many vegetarian offerings for those that did not.

Which included Spock and his father, who was coming, because he was there, on Earth, and alone now. Jim hadn’t wanted to exclude anyone even though Spock had assured Jim his father would not feel that way.

The truth was, Spock was not certain.

Not because of the memory lapses, but because there was still so much Spock did not understand about Sarek and that Sarek did not understand about him.

It was the way of things.

“Spock?”

He turned toward Jim. “Yes, T’hy’la?”

Jim smiled then. His eyes lighting up with warmth and affection. “You’ve been in the kitchen a while. Are you hiding from our guests, sweetheart?”

“No. Though I admit socializing is not my…preference.”

“I know. And you’re wonderful to allow this.”

“I would hardly deny you or them. And I understand the sentiment. I am grateful for them, for my father, and especially, for you.”

That smile widened until it nearly split Jim’s face. “I’m grateful for all that too. And you. You have no idea. This is probably our fourth or fifth chance. Whatever. But damn, I’m glad. So thankful, Spock.”

He held Spock by the arms and leaned up to kiss his husband. “Now, come. Let’s celebrate Thanksgiving.”

“Indeed.” Spock hesitated. “Jim?”

“Yeah, Spock?”

“I am most thankful to remember you.”

“Me too.” Jim squeezed his hand. “More than you can ever know.”

Spock picked up the cornbread pudding and followed Jim out to the dining room to exclaims of excitement from their guests.

And maybe, later, they could gather for a picture together. So that they would always remember this time, with all of them, together.

Spock knew they would not always be able to do this. Sooner or later the first of them would pass on. But now they had this.

He had Jim.

Cornbread Pudding

When I was a younger person, my Dad and I used to watch Guiding Light, a soap opera. I remember the Bauer family on the show always sang this song as Thanksgiving was approaching on the show. I also know that the sister of Anne Brancroft in Home for the Holidays attempts to sing it in that movie (she forgets the lyrics)

We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing
He chastens and hastens His will to make known
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing
Sing praises to His Name, He forgets not His own Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine
So from the beginning the fight we were winning
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader in battle
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

Flash Fic, November 22, 2019 (Fall Guys)

Dear Nyota

Things are going extremely well. The captain and I are becoming increasingly comfortable with each other and quite close.

He shows signs of being weaker than normal, due to his extended recovery time, but we have become completely involved with each other (pause to blush), and I am aware you will know what I mean by this. It is…gratifying.

Recently, Jim announced that we would partake in the tradition of being thankful. In ancient history, Humans in this locale took part in the feast-gathering holiday known as ‘Thanksgiving’. The captain wishes to participate.

Therefore, we went to the grocery store to purchase the necessary provisions.

“That is an eight pound turkey,” Spock said as he watched Jim place the frozen headless bird into their cart.

Jim grinned. “Yep.”

“Since you are the only one consuming the turkey is that not a lot of meat for one individual?”

“This is the smallest I could find. Don’t worry, I like leftovers. Turkey sandwiches, turkey omelet, turkey soup, Turkey Tetrazzini.” Jim patted Spock’s arm. “I got it covered. Now…cranberry sauce.”

“Over there.” Spock pointed to a display of cans.

“No, no. Not those. Yuck. I want actual cranberries. Let’s go to produce.”

Spock followed after Jim as he wheeled their cart to the produce section. Besides the turkey in the cart, Jim had already placed a package of cubed cornbread, and packages of powdered gravy mix Jim planned to doctor with some of the cooked turkey juices.

“Aha!” Jim stopped the cart at a display of numerous bags of fresh cranberries. “Now we’re talking.” He added two bags to their cart.

“Do you know how to make those?” Spock asked with no little skepticism.

“Of course I do. You add sugar and cook them in a pan. Besides, I can follow a recipe, babe.” He moved on to potatoes. “You’ll eat mashed, right? Without the gravy?”

“I will.”

“Great. And we’ll get you some acorn squash and green beans too.”

“That is satisfactory.”

“I’ll make a pumpkin pie too. Completely vegetarian, no worries.”

“I am not,” Spock assured him.

Jim picked up a few other things, checked out, and they made their way back home just as the sky opened up and started to rain.

“Ha!” Jim declared triumphantly. “We made it. Barely, but it counts.”

Spock turned toward the window as it started to downpour.  “It does indeed count.”

“Now, let’s get this stuff put away so we can snuggle under the covers upstairs.”

“And perhaps a little more than snuggling.”

Jim laughed. “Yeah, okay. You found me out. Way more than snuggling.

Our time here is peaceful and uneventful for the most part. I believe if we spent more than the allotted time here, Jim would become extremely bored. Even now I see at time that he stares off into nothingness, often with a wistful look on his face.

Having experienced so much uncertainly and danger on missions that have risked all our lives, I find this extended version of shore leave quite appreciated.

My final bit of news is that I have made the discovery that Jim and I share an ancient revered bond. We are Telsu. T’hy’la.

It all makes a lot of what I have experienced and felt make more sense.

It is fitting that this is the time of year to be thankful, because I can only be filled with gratitude for Jim and for your urging of me to advise him how I felt. For that and your endless love, support and kindness, I thank you.

I have informed him I am writing to you, so he sends his best, and advised he looks forward to the reunion of our family on the Enterprise.

I am likewise pleased that your relationship with Mr. Scott is progressing at a satisfactory pace.

I must go now, as he has asked for my assistance with the pumpkin pie.

With great affection,

Spock

Try to Remember

More OMS

Though there was much Spock did not recall about his previous life still, he was beginning to remember larger pieces, thanks in part to melds with Jim as well as ‘reminder’ stories from Jim and others, including Spock’s parents.

And though Jim seemed more reluctant to travel these days, he still accompanied Spock on a trip back to his home planet of Vulcan.

Spock had relayed that Jim did not have to accompany him if he preferred not to, but Jim had balked at that, getting that look on his face that was a cross between disappointment, resignation, irritation, and indulgence. Spock didn’t know anyone else who wore that expression, but it seemed to be a favorite of Jim’s.

“No,” Jim had said. “I’m coming.”

Spock was glad, though, because he’d had no particular fondness for making the trip by himself. It was reported that his mother was not well and might not live much longer. Having Jim by his side was desirable under those circumstances, but he would rather Jim was comfortable than not, which was why he did say that Jim could avoid it if desired.

Jim was quiet on the shuttle ride there, and though Spock was not entirely certain, given his patchy memory, he suspected that was not usual for him.

“You are pensive,” he finally said.

Jim glanced at him, a small toothless smile appearing. “Am I? I don’t mean to be.”

Spock hesitated. “If your preference was to stay in San Francisco, I would have made no objection.”

Jim shook his head. “Not at all. I’m just…my parents have already passed on, and now, maybe your mother.”

“Yes.”

Jim shrugged. “Makes me think more about…mortality, I suppose.”

“You fear death?”

The smile grew crooked. “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”

“Marcus Aurelius.”

“Yes,” Jim said, seeming surprised Spock could remember that.

Spock supposed it was surprising. “I do not think you need to worry about a life not well-lived, Jim.”

“Perhaps not. Anyway, I know that I will die alone.”

“And how do you know this?”

“A feeling.”

Spock wondered where he himself would be that Jim would die alone, but decided not to dwell on this rather morbid declaration at this time. There we other considerations.

“Likewise, I do not think that my mother has any regrets for the life she has led.”

“No,” Jim agreed. “I imagine not. Still, when she does pass, I’m not sure how your dad will handle it.”

“I suppose he will handle it like a Vulcan.”

Jim snorted at that, though Spock did not know why. “How about you, Spock? Will you be all right?”

“One expects one’s parent to die before them.”

Jim sighed. He got that look again. “Yeah I know.”

There was no one else around them on the shuttle and Spock found himself reaching over to take Jim’s hand. Jim glanced at him in surprise, but he willingly took Spock’s hand in his.

“If you are by my side, T’hy’la, I can handle anything.”

Jim swallowed, nodded, and squeezed Spock’s hands. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. Thank you, Spock. And I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. Not without you.”

“Good. Then we are agreed. And whatever we face on Vulcan, it will be together.”

“Always.”

Jim leaned against him then and fell asleep and though there was much that was still lost to Spock, this-this was not. And he was filled with gratitude.  

Sneak Peek

Because you are my friends as well as readers on here, I thought I’d be very nice to you (after being mean on The Mysterious One) and give you a sneak peek of a holiday flash coming up. What story is this? Well you will have to wait to find out.

PS. Yes I know the shuttles probably don’t work like planes, I’m going with it!

Photo by Meve R. on Pexels.com

Jim hadn’t wanted to come to Riverside for the winter break. He’d told his mother no. At least a dozen times. But then he had nothing else to do. Nothing. Bones was going home to Georgia for two weeks with his daughter and to see his dad, and though Bones had invited him, Jim felt like he’d be an outsider.

And then Spock, who he’d hoped to maybe spend some time with, to, um, make it clear he liked the Vulcan more than as a buddy, had declared he was going to Vulcan to visit with his parents. There had been no specific invitation there and Jim would have turned it down anyway.

Mom would be returning on the same day to Riverside from having visited with Sam and his family for the last month or so in Toronto.  

From San Francisco to Riverside, Spock would be riding the shuttle with him. Spock had a short meeting at the shipyard there and then he would be taking another shuttle direct to Vulcan.

Just before they were due to land, the pilot had advised them that Riverside was experiencing a significant snow storm.

Spock eyed Jim. “I hope that does not mean what I think it means.”

Jim grimaced and took a chance, reaching over to pat his friend’s hand. Yeah Vulcan’s didn’t like touching. Except, well, Spock didn’t seem to mind it too much from him.

“I’m thinking it means what you think. Your shuttle won’t be leaving for Vulcan, Spock. Not today.”

Sure enough, when they landed and departed their shuttle, the boards were filled with cancelations to every single destination.

Jim stood next to Spock as they surveyed the information.

“Sorry, Spock. Looks like you’ll be stuck here. At least overnight.”

“It would seem so. Wasn’t your mother due to return on the shuttle from Toronto?”

Jim followed his gaze to the cancellation board for arrivals. “Uh-oh.”

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