Probably the end of these flashes for this month. I’ll pick it up again in November. Reminder, I do have an unrelated Halloween flash for Thursday.
Bones looked at Jim after he spoke to Spock. “What are you going to tell him when he sees this?” He gestured to Jim’s black eye and cut him.
Jim held the werewolf mask in his hand.
“The truth.”
“That’ll be refreshing,” Bones cracked as they left the party. He had dressed as the mummy to kind of match Jim in his old Hollywood type monster costumes. “How are those ribs I bandaged?”
“Painful but manageable.”
“Maybe we should go by the hospital.”
“Nah, they aren’t broken. Just bruised.”
“Think he’ll be mad?”
Jim shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not like I was looking for it. If that guy hadn’t opened his big mouth—”
“I know. He’s a douchebag. I think you still should have let me stick him with a hypo.”
Jim laughed. “We both know you’re way too ethical for that.”
“I could have given him a good case of the shi—”
“Bones.” He laughed again. “Not that I don’t appreciate it. But no. And here we are at the dorm, so good night.”
“All right but let me know when you get to Spock’s.”
“I will. Like five minutes. I promise.”
“Okay. That was a sucky party anyone. Worse beer I ever had.”
“Same, Bones. Same. Talk soon.”
He waved at Bones and headed to Spock’s, ready to face the Vulcan’s million questions, he was sure.
“What’s on your mind Spock?” Nyota asked him as she sipped her soda across from him while they met for dinner. “You seem particularly lost in thought.”
“I believe it is possible I made an error in judgement.”
She looked surprised. “You? How?”
“Tonight was a Halloween Costume Party and Jim is attending with his friend Leonard McCoy. I did not wish to go.”
She nodded. “Was he upset?”
“Not at all. It was his suggestion from the beginning that I would not need to attend. But now I am questioning whether I made the correct choice.”
Nyota shrugged. “I admire him for giving you that out. That was good. He recognized that it wasn’t what you would enjoy doing and told you it was all right not to attend.”
“Indeed,” Spock agreed. “But in relationships is it not normal to often have to participate in something you prefer not to do in order to support or spend time with the other?”
“Oh certainly. But it sounds like Jim didn’t mind.”
“What would you have done?”
She remained silent for a few seconds, then sighed. “We are not the same person, Spock. And Vulcans are different from Humans.”
“You would have gone.”
“I would have. But that doesn’t mean you should have. Like I said, I give him props for recognizing it was something you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing. He went with a friend. I don’t think you did anything wrong and neither should you. If you want, you can contact him and offer to see him after the party is over. But, honestly, Spock, you’re fine.”
Spock decided after dinner to contact Jim to see him after as Nyota had suggested. He found himself quite relieved when Jim picked up his communication device nearly right away.
“Hey Spock!”
Spock could hear a lot of noise in the background.
“You are having a good time?”
“Hm? Well. It’s okay. What’s up?”
“I was wondering, if after the party, you would wish to see me. Perhaps come to my apartment? However, if you are too tired or having too good of a time—”
“No, that sounds good actually,” Jim said quickly. “I think Bones and I are ready to get out of here anyway. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you soon.”
They were leaving the hall where they’d just had another chess match, Jim won again, but admittedly he used certain methods to distract Spock, when Jim saw the sign outside.
He stopped to read all about a Halloween Party the club planned to host.
“You are not interested in such frivolities, are you?” Spock asked, sounding somewhat, amusedly so, alarmed.
Jim laughed. “You bet I am.” He eyed Spock. “Not you though huh?”
“I have no particular desire to pretend to be something I am not.” Spock paused. “But you enjoy that experience?”
“Yep. I love a fantasy life. Life’s far too short not to have fun with it. I’m going.” Jim shook his head. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to come.”
“No?”
“Look, I’m not the clingy type who has to drag his boyfriend along everywhere he goes.” Jim paused as he considered his words. He turned a little red. “You know, if-if that’s an appropriate word to use.”
“Boyfriend?”
“Yeah. I mean so far we haven’t really labeled it. Us. So.” He shrugged.
“I think it is an appropriate designation.”
Jim smiled. “Okay then. So anyway, I’ll get Bones to go with me. That way you won’t feel obligated.”
“If you are sure.”
“Very. Bones will love it.”
They began walking again, leaving the sign behind.
Spock glanced his way. “What will you dress up as?”
“Hmm. A Harem girl?” He laughed at Spock’s expression. “Kdding. A Werewolf, I think.”
“A fictional monster vulnerable to a silver bullet.”
“That’s the one. I’ll try to avoid any of those.”
Spock nodded. “If that is the sort of event you look forward to, then I am happy you are able to attend.”
Jim laughed again. “Uh-huh. That’s a sort of weird, backhanded attempt at being supportive.”
“Jim—”
“Hey, I’m joking. Not everything has to be so serious, Spock.”
Spock pursed his lips, but he nodded. “Do try to stay out of trouble.”
“I’m an exemplary citizen. I never get into trouble.”
Spock arched a brow, but provided no further comment.
If you follow my stories on AO3, I have temporarily put Beauty and the Beast on hiatus. Likely won’t get back to it until after the new year. I’m not sure what I am doing next with it and rather than stress myself out forcing a chapter I’m not prepared to write, I put it aside for now. It’s not abandoned.
I updated The Wrong Captain. I am going a slightly different direction in that story than I think I wanted to originally but it’s just evolved this way and I’m going with it. I am actually liking it more than I had been for a while so I think it’s the right choice.
I’m madly working on one of my advent stories I claimed and I think it’s going very well. I had claimed one related to the Great Bakeoff show in Britain because I love that show but I don’t actually think I have time for it and I’m already signed up to do two other stories by the same requestor so I think I’m good to drop it.
Don’t have another update on the ChessMaster and TooSexy yet but probably early next week.
As I think I mentioned I have a Halloween flash scheduled for here on Halloween and it’s exclusive to the blog. And I mean that.
Once I get the three stories I am still claiming for Advent (and it’s not anonymous so you could see the ones I claimed) finished, I’ll get cracking on my own holiday story.
Thanks again for all your thoughts. Looks like I’m sticking around after all
Tried to find a still of Ryder/Cross as Spock’s parents but the only one I could find was the having baby Spock scene though I know there was a cut scene where they argued. Sigh. . It’s amazing what opportunities JJ missed with this but of course that’s what you get for having someone unfamiliar with the franchise/fandom making your movies. Anyway, here’s her by herself because of it
Spock was mildly surprised not to find his parents in his apartment anyway as he walked out to the living room area after dressing. Had it been only his father, he could see Sarek barging in. Only his mother seemed to be able to rein him in.
He went to the door and opened it to reveal his calm looking parents.
“Good Morning.”
Mother smiled warmly. “Hello Spock. May we come in?”
He stepped aside to allow them entrance.
“I do apologize for not contacting you prior to coming over. It was quite thoughtless of us.”
Sarek sniffed. “It does not seem unusual to be in the area and wish to have breakfast with our son.”
“Of course not, dear. But we should have contacted Spock on the way.”
“Apology accepted,” Spock replied. “Tea, Mother?”
“Yes, thank you. Sarek, dear, put the breakfast packages there in the kitchen. We’ll reheat the food when Jim comes out.”
“It is fortunate your mother selected so much food,” Sarek murmured.
Spock ignored his father and went into the kitchen after him to begin preparing coffee for Jim and tea for his mother and father.
“It would seem that your acquaintance with James Kirk has progressed quite a bit,” Sarel said then.
“Sarek!”
“I say this as an observation,” her husband insisted. “Not as a judgment.”
Spock merely shrugged though he was not certain he could deny that his father’s words were true.
Only a moment later, Jim appeared, fully dressed, hair damp from the shower.
“Good morning,” Jim called. “Sorry about the door in the face thing.”
Mother shook her head. “You owe us no apology, Jim. I am sure you didn’t expect to find us pounding on Spock’s door this morning.”
“Hardly pounding,” Sarek muttered.
She shot him a look. “But at least we brought breakfast to, perhaps, make up for our faux pas. And I believe Spock has your coffee ready.”
“I do.” Spock handed Jim the cup of coffee made just the way he’d learned Jim liked it.
Jim smiled. “Thanks.”
“Wonderful,” Mother said, her eyes twinkling. “Now Sarek will heat the breakfast and we’ll all sit down to eat.”
Sarek opened his mouth, Spock was sure to protest. But one look from his wide and he said, “Yes, Amanda.”
She took Jim’s arm. “You’ll sit by me, Jim. We Humans must stick together, don’t you think?”
Jim laughed. He seemed to relax for which Spock was grateful. He suspected he should send his mother a big box of her favorite chocolates.
“Yes, I think so, ma’am.”
“Amanda, dear.”
“Amanda.”
She drew Jim to Spock’s dining room table and they sat down, beginning to converse like old friends.
Jim woke to the sound of knocking. He stared up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to get his bearings. Distantly he heard the shower running and realized Spock had risen and went to shower.
He blinked, about to doze off again thinking he must have been dreaming. Then he heard the knocking again.
With a frown, Jim sat up, swung his legs out of bed and stood.
“Hey Spock? I think there’s someone at the door.”
But Spock didn’t respond.
Jim looked around for his clothes but couldn’t immediately find them, so he picked up a discarded bathrobe of Spock’s and left the bedroom to go to the door.
He had just finished tying it around his waist when he opened the apartment door.
Standing there looking as shell-shocked as him were Spock’s parents.
“Uh.” Jim shut the door in their faces. “Shit, shit, shit.”
He hurried back to the bedroom and over to the bathroom door. Fortunately it was unlocked and he burst through it.
“Spock! Spock!”
“Jim?” The shower curtain moved and Spock’s head appeared. “What is wrong?”
“Gad, your-your parents are here.”
“They are here?” Spock turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, reaching for a towel.
“Yes. And, uh.” Jim ran his hand through his hair. “I think, I mean, I just…”
“Jim, calm down. I am certain they are all right. My mother is likely making tea in the kitchen as we speak. Tell them I will be right out.”
“I sort of closed the door in their faces.”
“You…”
“I know. I panicked. I’m not dressed. My hair is messed and—”
Spock gazed at him. “And you have what I believe you would call hickeys just below your neck on your chest.”
“Shit.”
“I suggest you get in the shower,” Spock told him. “I will dress quickly and let them in.”
“Are you sure?”
Spock nodded and gently pushed him toward the shower. “I will make you coffee.”
When Spock opened the door to Jim’s knock it was to see that the cadet carried two big paper bags. To his surprise, though also pleasure, Jim greeted him with a smile and a kiss.
“What have you got?” Spock asked, closing the door.
“Since I was running a little late, I stopped by that bakery on the corner. They make the best toasted cheese bread. Plus I got some pastries. And some Vulcan specialties for you. Thought maybe we could have them for dinner or whatever.”
Spock nodded. “That sounds good. I must admit I missed you staying over last night.”
“Yeah? I missed it too. How’d your field trip go?”
“It was informative.” Spock was not sure how to go about asking what he wanted to ask of Jim. He had no real experience with formal serious relationships and as a Vulcan he struggled with being logical while also expressing his needs.
But as it happened, Jim gave him an opening by saying, “What?”
“I would like to request you stay with me tonight if that is possible and acceptable.”
Jim smiled and jiggled one of the paper bags. “One bag is the bakery stuff and this is my stuff. A change of clothes and pajamas.”
Spock’s lips twitched. “You might not need the pajamas.”
Jim laughed outright. “Yeah, probably not. But if the apartment catches fire in the middle of the night and we have to evacuate, I’m going to want them.”
“Quite true, though hopefully that will not be the case.”
“Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Does your friend Uhura not like me?”
Spock blinked. “She has never said so. Why?”
“Just…we met before in Riverside. Before I enlisted.”
“She did mention that. Something about a bar brawl.”
“Mm. Three against one I might add. But never mind that. She hasn’t said anything bad?”
“She has not attempted to ‘warn me away’ if that is what you mean. No.”
“Today when you came by to talk in the cafeteria she didn’t come over and Bones wondered.”
“Doctor McCoy?”
“Yeah.”
Spock nodded. “We were on our way out of the cafeteria when I noticed you, so I told her I wanted a moment with you and she merely chose to wait by the door. It was nothing personally against you, Jim, I assure you.”
Jim smiled again. “I didn’t think so, but thought I’d ask.”
“And even if she had, while I value her opinion in most matters, I have already made up my own mind regarding you.”
“Yeah?” Jim raised both eyebrows. “And what have you decided?”
“Given I asked you to stay, I am certain you can logically deduce my meaning.”
And he laughed again. Spock liked his laugh a lot.
“I’m guessing since I accepted, you know what I have decided about you.”
“Indeed.”
“Can we eat now? I’m starving.”
And though Spock did not laugh a lot, that did make him just a little.
Jim had just selected a plate of Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes at the Academy cafeteria and was headed to a table when Bones scooted up to him to join him.
“Did you see that?”
“See what?”
Bone smirked. “Seems like Spock is back from his field trip. And he’s cozying up with Cadet Uhura.”
Jim followed his gaze to see Spock indeed at a table in the cafeteria with Uhura seated beside them.
He laughed. “So?”
Jim found them a seat at a small table fairly close to the cafeteria line. After all he might be still hungry and want something more.
As Bones sat across from him, took that opportunity to eyeball his friend’s plate to see what he’d selected for lunch. Generally Bones was one of those eat your veggies kind of guy, being a doctor after all, so Jim found he rarely picked food off the other man’s plate. Still he was curious.
“At least you covered those vegetables in cheese sauce,” Jim commented. “It saved them.”
“You should eat more veggies, young man,” Bones said, waving his fork at Jim. “You’re not worried?”
Jim cut off a piece of Salisbury steak. “About?”
“Spock and Uhura. They look a bit cozy.”
Jim laughed and shook his head. “Some people say that about us.”
“What?”
“You and me, Bonesy. That we look a little…close.”
Bones pulled back and grimaced. “That’s gross.”
“Hey!”
“I don’t mean it like that. I mean you’re like my brother from another mother. I don’t think of you like that.”
“Same. And that’s my point. What makes you think those two are any different?”
“Well. I guess you have a point. And being a Vulcan I suppose he wouldn’t be wining and dining you and her at the same time. Or I don’t think so anyway.”
“Not likely, yeah. I think they met at the chess club, too.”
“She plays chess?”
“Why wouldn’t she?”
His friend shrugged. “Just thought that chess club was for dweebs like you and Spock.”
Jim rolled his eyes.
Bones chuckled. “What do you suppose her chess name is?”
“TooStuckUp?” Jim joked. “I’m totally kidding. I only met her once, I don’t really know her.”
“If she really is a close friend of Spock’s you’ll probably have to get to know her.”
“True. And same with you and Spock.”
“Grr.” Bones looked up. “Speak of the devil.”
“Jim. Doctor.”
Jim grinned. “Hiya! You’re back.”
“Indeed. I arrived back from the excursion an hour ago. I was having lunch when I noticed you over here with Doctor McCoy. Do you have other courses for the day?”
“Yep. One more after I finish here. You?”
“I am done for the day but will be taking advisory appointments at my office for an hour. If you are available after your class, perhaps you might meet me at my apartment.”
“Of course, I will. See you in a bit.”
Spock nodded at Bones. “Doctor.”
Bones scowled. “Professor.”
Jim shook his head and smiled as Spock walked away, leaving the cafeteria with Uhura who had waited for him by the exit door.
“Play nice.”
“I’m always nice. Weird she didn’t come with him to say hi.”
“Nah, I’m not bothered by it.”
“Since when did you get so mellow?” Bones demanded.
Jim was maybe a little on cloud nine when he returned to his dorm room that night. A little tipsy too, maybe.
“You look nice,” Bones greeted him. He was seated at his task beating up on his computer terminal. “Surprised to see you though after your hot date.”
Jim smiled dreamily and pulled up a chair to sit by his friend. “Spock had a very early field trip planned with his geology class. Some rock museum or whatever.”
Bones scowled. “Glad I’m not in that class.”
“Mm. I suppose as a doctor you don’t need to learn about rocks.”
“I can tell you to kick a pile of them.”
Jim laughed. “Need help?”
“With this test? Not unless you have some special knowledge of the guts of Orions or something.”
He half-closed his eyes. “I know something of the anatomy of Orions.”
“Screwing them doesn’t count,” Bones advised him. He paused. “Spock? You had to pick Spock?”
“Fate picked him.”
“Gimme a break.”
He laughed again. “No really. I really was just playing a chess match with him that first time. I didn’t even know who ChessMaster was. Or is. And lo and behold it was Spock.”
“Behold.” Bones snorted. “Why didn’t you just kick his ass at chess and be done with it.”
“Well, I did do that but we discovered our very mutual attraction. It wasn’t, you know, intentional. I mean it was. But not because you hate him or anything.”
“Hmm. Should I be looking for a new roommate? You going to start playing house with the Vulcan?”
“That seems a bit fast.”
“Agreed. But you’ve already been moving in that direction, so I wondered.”
“I haven’t even thought about that. I’m just having a really good time.”
“Does he know it’s just a good time?”
“Bones.” Jim shook his head. “You don’t need to worry about me or him. We’re fine. I can take care of myself. I met his parents tonight.”
“His parents?” Bones stared at him. “Jim, that implies seriousness.”
“I’m not unserious.”
“Jim—”
“Look, we went to McKinley’s.”
“Wow, that’s a nice place. He’s really laying it on thick.”
Jim ignored that. “And his parents happened to be there too. They’re visiting Earth. Pop’s an Ambassador.”
“I doubt Spock called him Pop.”
Jim chuckled. “I’d pay a large amount of credits to see his father’s face when he did.”
Bones cracked a smile.
“Anyway, they seem nice. I probably am going to have dinner with them another night.”
“So you are serious about him.”
“I’m really not thinking that far ahead, Bones. I just want to see where this takes me.”
“You’ve never met parents before, have you?”
“Truth be told some of my past lovers didn’t think I was very presentable for that.”
“You do seem on your best behavior with Spock.”
Jim got up from his chair. “I’ll stop bugging you and let you study. I’m going to take a long hot shower and call it a night. If you hear me belting out ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ from the shower, ignore me.”
“My pleasure.”
Jim laughed, bent down, and kissed the top of Bones’ head. “Night, grumpy.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 