Star Trek

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 us 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 1

January 30, 2026 Flash

“I’m sorry, Mom. I know how hard that was for you.”

They were back on the road, headed to Cedar Rapids to the commercial shuttle bay for the shuttle that would take them to San Francisco and then one that would eventually take them to Orion.

It had been a gloomy visit. Warren hadn’t remembered his sister Winona, Jim or even his own daughter. But his mom had tried and her gentle patience with her brother had touched Jim.

“It was yeah,” she admitted. She glanced at him. “What about you?”

Jim sighed. “I can’t pretend I didn’t think about Chekov. But his situation was a little different than Uncle Warren’s. He ended up in a facility because he was catatonic. After that mission…” Jim shook himself. “He was too young for that to happen.”

“I don’t think there was anything you could have done, honey.”

“Logically I know that. I feel guilty sometimes. Not because of what happened, because, well, of course. But because when they notified me, he’d passed, I was relieved.”

She reached over and patted his leg. “It had to be difficult seeing someone you cared about and who you felt responsible like that, a shell of what he once was. No one would blame you for feeling relieved. He wouldn’t suffer anymore.”

“That’s what I tell myself. Everyone tells me there was no chance he’d ever come out of it, and I trust what they said, but sometimes I just don’t know how to feel. I don’t want to dwell on it but it’s hard not to.”

“Well, not many people dwell on tragedy as much as I have so I get where you’re coming from. Try to remind yourself, as I try, that he wouldn’t want you to suffer so much over it. You know? The best we can do is to honor who they were and how they lived. And not waste our own lives. Took me a long time to learn that.”

Jim nodded and looked out at the road. “Were you close when you were young to your brother?”

“Not as close as I wish we’d been, honestly. He was older by a few years. Thought I was a brat.” She laughed. “He was right. Here we are. Let’s hope it doesn’t take too long to get to San Francisco.

The shuttle from Cedar Rapids to San Francisco was uneventful. But shortly after they arrived, his mother stopped next to a bar.

“Why don’t you go in and order us something to drink? I need to get our tickets and a few other supplies we’ll need, so go on in there and wait for me.”

Jim frowned. “How long will we be there? I didn’t pack anything.”

She smirked. “I know. Leave that to me. That’s part of what I need to get. I won’t be long. And I’m not sure. I’m hoping at the most we’ll be there overnight and on our way. I don’t anticipate any problems.”

“I always anticipate problems.” Jim retorted.

“Yes, I know. Go in. Get a refreshment and relax. I’ll join you soon.”

With a grimace, Jim went through the swinging doors, they were made to look like old-fashioned saloon doors and headed for the bar counter and ordered their drinks.

He was just carrying them over to a booth when he heard his name called.

“Jim? Jim, it is you.”

He set them on the table and turned to greet Nyota Uhura, who flung her arms around him to embrace him.

January 30, 2026 6

Flash January 26, 2026

You can expect two posts a week while this is going on. One will always be Friday but the others will vary. Here is number 2

“First we need to go to Cedar Rapids,” his mother explained as they left Riverside in her hover car. “The commercial shuttles in Riverside don’t go to San Francisco but the ones there do. From San Francisco we can get one to Orion.”

“Right.”

“But first we have to make a stop in Iowa City.”

Jim glanced her way. “What for?”

“To see Warren.”

His mind blanked. “Warren?”

She sighed. “My brother. At his assisted facility.”

Jim sank lower into the seat and looked out the window. “Sorry, Mom. I know I keep saying that…but…I should have paid more attention to our family.”

“No,” she said softly. “It’s my fault. When your dad was killed I gave up on life. For far too long I lived in my own head.”

“I sure know what that’s like.”

She patted his leg. “I made a lot of mistakes, honey. I distanced myself from my family so no wonder you don’t remember any of them. And I lost Sam because of my foolishness.”

Jim smiled wistfully. “He’s out there somewhere, Mom.”

“And don’t get my started on my very much ex-husband. I put up with his shit for too long. And we all lived to regret it.”

“We can’t change the past, Mom. But we can work on a better future.”

She smiled and nodded. “Yes. And part of that is telling Warren we’re getting his grandkids. Look, I know he probably won’t even know we’re there but I have to try and tell him. I owe him. You know my brother and his wife, Caroline, offered to take you and Sammy when I couldn’t handle things.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“I stupidly said no. Instead I saddled you with Frank.”

“May he rest in peace,” Jim muttered.

She looked at him quickly. “He’s not dead.” She paused. “Is he?”

He shrugged. “One can hope.”

“So Iowa City is up first. We should be there in no time.”

“Weren’t they living in Nebraska or something?”

She laughed. “That’s right. So you remember something. But after Caroline passed and Melanie left to Orion, I wanted my brother in a place closer to me.”

“Gotcha.” Jim sighed and closed his eyes. “I don’t do well with kids.”

“You do fine.”

“No. I feel…lost. Like I have no idea what to do with them. How old are Melanie’s kids anyway?”

“Brick is nine and Isabella is seven.”

“Brick?”

His mother shrugged.

“Why did she kill her husband?”

“I really don’t know. I haven’t heard from Melanie in years. Well, I hadn’t until she contacted me after she got arrested and asked me to come for the kids.”

The sign for Iowa City came up and after a couple of more signs, she got off the highway. Eventually she pulled up in front of a huge facility that resembled a Gothic mansion.

“Fancy,” Jim commented as he got out of the hover car.

“I wanted some place nice. The gardens are amazing.” She hesitated. “You don’t have to come in to see him. You can wait out in the lobby or something.”

Jim frowned as he opened the door for her to enter. “Why would I do that?’

“In case…considering what happened on that last mission with—”

“It’s okay, Mom. I can handle this,” Jim assured her gently.

“If you’re sure. I wouldn’t want to upset you. Make you think of…” She trailed off and bit her lip. “I won’t. Let’s go see your brother.”

January 26, 2026 6

Flash January 23, 2026

So I got an idea for a story that if I posted it on AO3 right now they’d come after me with pitchforks because I’m not updating the stories there right now. So I decided to post it here on the blog for several weeks (minus February 14th which will be as previously reference related to last week’s flash).

So it’s a continuing story with a somewhat more mature cast (as the actors themselves are really) so I hope you will bear with me while I post it here. Thank you.

Photo by Guillaume Meurice on Pexels.com

“Wake up, sleepyhead.”

Jim opened one eye to peer wearily at the cheerful visage of his mother.

“What’s up?”

“You are hopefully. Come on, up and at ‘em. We have things to do.”

Jim blinked. “We do?”

“Yes.” She pulled off his covers. “Up you go. And while you’re at it, shower. You’re starting to stink.”

He frowned and sat up, glancing toward the window of his childhood room. At least it wasn’t snowing.

“What time is it?”

“Just past seven. But we have a long trip ahead of us. And shave while you’re at it. You’re looking scruffy.”

Before he could question his mother further, or argue if he wanted to, she was out of the room and heading back downstairs.

With a sigh, Jim scrubbed his face and got out of bed. He headed for the bathroom and turned the shower on.

When he came down thirty minutes later, showered, shaved and dressed in jeans and a t-shirt she had coffee ready for him, which he gratefully accepted.

“Where are we going exactly?” He took a large swallow of his coffee.

“To pick up Melanie’s kids.”

“Who is Melanie?”

She gave him a look that oozed disapproval. “Your cousin. My brother’s daughter.”

He wracked his brain trying to remember her but couldn’t. He wouldn’t have seen in her in decades so he cut himself some slack.

“So, uh, why exactly?”

“They need someone to take care of them and I guess that’s going to be me. So I have to go. And I can’t leave you here by yourself so you’re going with me.”

He drank more coffee. “You could, you know.”

“Not in the state you’re in. And anyway it would do you good to get out and about. You’ve been here two weeks and haven’t left the house.”

“I’ve been outside and to the barn more than once,” Jim protested.

“You know what I mean.”

He grimaced. “I’m supposed to be on vacation. You know. You’re not supposed to have to do anything.”

“Vacation my ass. And anyway ever since they took your ship, you’ve been like this.”

“Have not. Up until my vacation I went to work every day teaching cadets how to be swell in Starfleet.”

“Swell.” She rolled her eyes. “You know you didn’t want to leave space.”

Jim nodded. “I didn’t. But that last psych eval convinced them I should take early retirement, so I did. And they made me an admiral, so how can I complain?”

She put her hand on his arm. “We all know what you and your crew went through on that last mission, Jim. No one blames any of you if it became difficult to continue.”

“Yeah, okay, whatever. So where is Melanie that we have to get her kids?”

“Jail. Eventually prison when she gets convicted.”

“Convicted for what?”

“Murdering her husband. Stabbed him fifty times.”

Jim stared at his mother. “What the hell?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Out of her mind on drugs or something. That’s for her lawyer and the courts to decide. But unless we want those kids to go into foster care, we have to get him.”

He followed her to the coatrack where there coats were and grabbed his to put on.

“Wait, what about your brother?”

His mother gave him yet another look. “You could maybe pay attention when I tell you things. He’s in a facility now for memory care. After his wife passed, your Aunt Caroline, he started forgetting a lot. Turns out he has dementia. Melanie’s the only kid they ever had. Her husband’s folks passed years ago. So, we’re it. Or I am, anyway.”

“Sorry,” Jim said, sincerely. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

She hugged him. “It’s okay, Jimmy. I know how it’s been for you. I’ve packed a bag for you.”

“Where are we going anyway?”

“Orion.”

“Orion?” Jim was flabbergasted.

“I did say it was a long trip. Melanie was married to an Orion. Buckle up, honey. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

January 23, 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

Flash Fic, January 02, 2026

Better late than never, I say. We return to Friday flashes for January. This is a follow up to the NYE flash of a couple days ago.

“How was your brunch with the doctor?” Spock as Jim the question as he rejoined the Vulcan after meeting Bones for a New Year’s brunch.

Spock had declined to accompany Jim, advising he had matters to attend to that would ensure the Enterprise leaving Yorktown would not be further delayed.

“Good.” He plopped down on the sofa beside Spock who had been typing on his PADD before Jim returned. “I told him about us.”

“Did you?”

Jim’s stomach turned nervously. “I mean…that’s okay, right? There is an us, isn’t there?”

“Of course, Jim.” Spock set his PADD aside and opened his arms for Jim to scoot closer so that Spock could wrap his arms around him. “You need not worry so.”

“I…I’m not. It’s just…”

Spock nodded. “I know. You are unused to such unwavering affection.” Spock’s lips twitched a little. “You will get used to it.”

Jim grinned. “I sure hope to.”

“I have already informed Starfleet of the change in our relationship.”

“You-you did? What did Womack say?”

“Congratulations.” Spock rubbed Jim’s back. “They are all well aware we make a good team. They have no immediate concerns but will of course monitor the situation for any changes.”

Jim laughed. “Of course they will. Man, this is the best New Year’s ever. And in just a couple of days it’s my birthday. You’re all the present I need.”

Spock kissed him. “No parties?”

“God, no. I already told Bones I don’t want a repeat of last year. I mean I know everyone needed the distraction after Altamid, but this year, I want to spend a quiet night with you.”

“I like the sound of that,” Spock murmured.

“I will have to call my mom, though, And I guess I should mention the change in my life.”

“That would be wise,” Spock agreed. “But for now…perhaps it is time to…cuddle…in bed.”

“I thought you’d never ask. Let’s go.”

January 2, 2026

New Year’s Eve Flash

It was hard to believe they’d celebrated his last birthday on Altamid and now it was nearly a year later, and he was attending a New Year’s Eve gathering. A tradition that Federation had adapted all those years ago when it had been founded.

Jim had his own memories of New Year’s Eve over the years. Some pleasant and some not so pleasant.

This time it just reminded him he was still in limbo. The Enterprise wasn’t ready and his life was delayed.

He was outside on a patio that had been decorated for this kind of thing. Gold and silver, balloons, garlands, glittering lights, champagne pyramids. All very classy.

Across from where he had temporarily placed himself stood Uhura with her new very close friend. A few months back, Uhura and Spock had ended things seemingly for good, but if Jim had anticipated anything changing, he was disappointed.

Bones walked over to him and handed him a flute of champagne. “You look miserable. You used to love parties.”

“Hmm. I can’t wait for the ball to drop on this one. I’m tired and cranky and look forward to sleeping all day tomorrow.”

Bones smirked. “First you have to play Chekov’s game.”

Jim groaned and glanced over towards Chekov who wore a tuxedo of all things and had Yeoman Martha Landon on his arm. Yeoman Landon wore a tight sparkly silver ball gown. They made a very attractive couple.

“He’s doing that again?”

“Yep.” Bones patted Jim’s arm. “He’s about to start.”

“Attention, attention,” Chekov spoke into a mike. “This year’s game vill be different than last year’s. My beautiful Martha vill draw a name out of this top hat and then that person vill be asked a question based on this prompt in this other hat.” Chekov paused. “Does everyone got that? Does anyone have any questions?”

“Yes,” Jim spoke up. “Executive officers are exempt, right?”

“Jim,” Bones muttered.

“Captain!” Uhura admonished.

“Fine. But at least the captain should be exempt.”

“All in good fun, laddie.”

“This is stupid,” Jim groused.

“Play along,” Bones told him.

Jim clamped his mouth shut.

Yeoman Landon pulled a name and handed it to Chekov.

“Keptin Kirk,” he announced, rather gleefully. She handed him another slip. “Oh! This is good. If there was one thing you could ask Commander Spock vhat vould it be?”

Jim looked around for Spock and saw him standing somewhat close to Uhura and her new partner. Jim shrugged.

“Are you a cuddler, Spock?”

Spock looked blank. “What?”

Jim spoke louder. “Are you a cuddler?”

“I do not understand the question.”

Jim snorted. “You understand. In bed…do you like to cuddle?”

“Jim,” Bones said in a low warning voice.

“You know…whatever.” He downed his champagne and handed the empty glass to Bones. “I’m not in the mood.”

He turned and went back inside.

“Jim! Captain.”

He turned to face Spock who had followed him. “What?”

“Are you all right? You seem…unhappy.”

Jim shook his head and kept walking. “It’s nothing.”

Spock grabbed his arm and stopped his forward motion. “It is not nothing.”

“It’s just…nothing has changed. I’ve been here a year. Nothing has changed. And Carol…”

Spock frowned. “Carol Marcus? What about her?”

“She just got married.”

“I was unaware you were following her life.”

“I’m not. I wasn’t. I mean…once we were…there was a chance.” Jim stopped and shook his head. “Never mind.”

“You were in love with her?”

“No. Not really. I really liked her. Once. We were going to give it a try but…it’s hard to fall in love with someone when you already love someone else.”

Spock seemed to consider this and for a moment Jim though maybe he’d ask if Carol loved someone else then which would certainly be the safe thing to say. To ask.

“You loved someone else when you thought about a relationship with her?”

“Yes. And I don’t really resent the fact she’s found someone and is happy. I don’t. But it just reminds me that I still haven’t moved on from the unrequited love I’ve felt for…years. It’s just…it’s making it just a little hard to think another year is passing me by.” Jim blew out a breath. “It’s not your problem, Spock, and I apologize for what I said out there. I need time to myself.”

“I do not think that wise, Jim. And besides…I have something to discuss with you that I think you may find of great interest.”

“You’re looking unexpectedly chipper this morning,” Bones grouched the next morning when he met Jim for brunch.

“Afternoon, actually.” Jim grinned. “I’m feeling pretty good, too. You look a bit worse for wear though.”

Bones grumbled. “What happened to you last night? You disappeared.”

“I found out the answer to my question.”

“Your question?”

Jim smiled. “Spock’s a cuddler.”

December 31, 2025

Santa Baby Conclusion

Here is the end. Let me know if you’d like the whole thing together and up at AO3 for saving purposes or if not, here in parts where it was posted.

“You spent far too many credits trying to make me happy,” Spock told Jim as they left the market a couple of blocks from Jim’s apartment.

“I know. Vulcans don’t feel happy,” Jim joked.

“It is not that. Just being able to spend this time with you is enough for me,” Spock replied, feeling embarrassed at his overly emotional state. Perhaps he still felt some of the effects of his overindulging at the bar.

“I could kiss you for a statement like that but I’ll wait until we’re back at my apartment.” Jim walked beside him. “Hey did you let Uhura know you’re okay?”

“I did message her, yes.”

Jim nodded. “I know she doesn’t like me much.”

Spock shrugged. “I do not especially care about her opinion in this matter as I do.”

Jim laughed. “Good to know. Bar fights do tend to give someone the wrong impression. I didn’t start that. The idiots with her did.”

“I am aware of the circumstances, Jim. I do not fault you. My only question was why Captain Pike did not have those cadets dismissed as they were beating up a civilian at the time.”

“I think he didn’t want any more trouble than it already was.” Jim shrugged. “No harm done. Other than your friend’s opinion of me.”

They had reached Jim’s apartment building and Spock followed Jim inside. A part of him wondered if he should be imposing on Jim this much but the other part of him wanted to spend as much time with Jim as Jim would allow.

Once inside the apartment, Jim put their purchases in the kitchen while Spock set the little tree in a pot Jim had picked over in the corner by the window. It came with a few ornaments already on it, along with a silver tinsel garland.

“Did you send your resignation to the bar?” Spock tried to keep the hope out of his voice.

“Yep. You want that gingerbread tea we got?”

Spock came over to the kitchen. “Yes, if you will have some too.”

Jim frowned as his communicator buzzed. He sighed. “Mom again.”

Spock felt bad for hoping Jim would continue to wish to stay with him, but he said, “Perhaps you should take it and I will make the tea.”

Jim nodded. “Right. I’ll be right back.”

He disappeared into the bedroom and Spock went about making the tea, deliberately not listening to anything he might catch with his Vulcan hearing. If Jim changed his mind and wanted to go be with his family there was little Spock could or should do to stop him. He would set his own needs aside.

Presumably now that he had made contact with Jim and Jim had admitted a mutual interest in a romantic relationship, matters would continue between them after the winter break should Jim depart.

The tea was just finished brewing when Jim came back to the kitchen and Spock braced himself to hear bad news for him.

“Everything all right?” he asked politely.

Jim smiled. “Yep. I told Mom I had you here to spend the holidays with me. She was very happy to hear it. She was afraid I’d be working and spending it alone.”

“So you will not be going to Riverside?”

“Nope. I’m staying right here. Oh and my friend, Bones, also notified me he’s going to get to see his daughter. So everyone’s happy.”

Spock felt warmth in his side which he tried to repress. What kind of a Vulcan was he to give into such emotions? But he felt pleasure that he would get to spend time with Jim.

“Now.” Jim came into the kitchen and over to Spock. He put his arms around Spock’s neck and drew him close. “About that kiss.”

Merry Christmas Everyone! I am concluding this here.