Story Related

Sneak Peek of Winter Wonderland

Coming this December to A03…here is a sneak peek (yes I am feeling generous)

“You sure about this, Jim?”

“Hmm?” Jim absently stared at the PADD in his hands as he read over the message he had received.

“Jim?”

He glanced up into Bones’ concerned eyes. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’re going to Riverside. Over the Christmas holidays. Its snowing there, according to reports.”

Jim laughed. “A real winter wonderland.”

“Alone.”

“Not alone. I told you. Desiree’s going to meet me there.”

“Who is this Desiree anyway? I don’t know her.”

“I knew her pre-Academy. You never met her.”

“You haven’t been feeling well lately. Ever since that time you were held prisoner on Tylo 4 you’ve been off. Not yourself at all, Jim.”

“I’m fine. You aren’t this fussy about Spock. He was there too and doesn’t remember any more than I do about what happened.”

“Spock seems normal. For Spock anyway.”

For a moment an image, a memory, flashed in his mind of naked limbs entwined, desperate kisses.

“I’m normal too,” Jim lied. Some mornings he felt…sick, sure, but it generally went away by afternoon. “Anyway, I’ll be back in San Francisco on January 10^th. This little break will be just what I need before we go out again.”

“Out again. And how insane is that?”

“You agreed, Bones.”

“I need my head examined.”

There was an overhead announcement.

“That’s my shuttle. Have a great time with your kid.”

“Have a great time yourself. You let me know every few days how you are.”

Jim smiled. “Right.”

He went up the ramp to the shuttle and then read his message again.

Jim, sorry, but I can’t make it to Riverside after all. So sorry. I’ll be stuck on Rigel 3 until February at least. So disappointed to miss you, Love, Desiree.

Yeah, so okay, he didn’t admit to Bones that he would be there alone, but he knew Bones would freak out and demand he go to Georgia.

Jim didn’t want that.

He scanned through his next message.

Lieutenant Nyota Uhura has withdrawn her request to be transferred off the Enterprise. She will report for duty on January 15.

Jim smiled his relief. Prior to their leave, Uhura had requested the transfer since she and Spock were no longer together. Jim hadn’t wanted to see her go, but she had advised that the situation between the former lovers was proving to be difficult.

He had suggested they could work it out, their friendship, anyway, if not more, and he was glad they had. Or he thought they must have. He sent a quick note to her.

Glad to have you aboard. How are things?

That was as close as he felt he could get to asking into her personal life. They were friends, but there was a fine line between that and being her commanding officer.

He swiped through a few other messages, and then sighed. He leaned back, rubbing at his temples. He seemed to constantly have a headache. When he became active again, he’d ask Bones about migraines.

November 1, 2021

Flash Fic, November 01, 2021

“You’re showing your jealousy.”

Jim laughed. “Jealous? What have I got to be jealous about?”

His best friend, Bones, rolled his eyes. They were seated in the Academy cafeteria, enjoying a late afternoon lunch.

Well, enjoying might be a slight exaggeration. The food was only marginally better than the food in Jim’s middle school cafeteria.

Bones fingered his chin. “Oh, I don’t know. Your ex is over there cozying up to your nemesis.”

“Uhura is not my nemesis.”

“Sure, sure. But she’s still practically sitting in the lap of Professor Spock.”

“Hey, whatever. Spock dumped me. He’s no longer my concern.”

“Okay, yeah. Maybe.”

Jim eyed him over his bad cup of coffee. “What does that mean?”

“Well.” Bones shrugged. “I know you two had a fight. I know you’ve been staying at the dorm ever since with me.”

“But?”

“Are you, well, was that really an official breakup? Did the hobgoblin actually say the words ‘Jim, it’s over’ or you know ‘I hereby dump you’?”

“No one says that.”

“Some version of that then.”

“Doesn’t he look like he broke up with me?” Jim asked. “He hasn’t looked this way once and he seems pretty focused on her.”

“To make you jealous, maybe.”

Jim laughed. “Well, it’s totally not working.”

“Of course not. But I still say having a fight doesn’t mean he intends for it to be done done.”

“Has he attempted to contact me or come crawling back? Nope. He has not. In fact, he’s dating. So, fuck him. Or don’t fuck him as the case might be.”

“You could be the mature one.”

“Ha. Not likely. I’ll go down with the ship before that ever happens.” Jim didn’t care that made no sense. Whatever. “I have a date myself tonight.”

“With who?”

“Gaila.”

Bones sighed. “Bad idea.”

“I don’t remember asking you.”

“And right there is where you get yourself in trouble. You should have. The moment you screw Gaila, you can forget you and Spock reconciling.”

“For the last time, Bones, WHO. CARES?”

Bones shook his head. “You’re funeral.”

****

“Jimmy, I’m having a crappy time and you look sad.”

Jim eyed her over his grasshopper. All right so he liked green. Orions, Vulcans. Whatever. Drinks counted too. Even way too sweet ones.

“Sorry.”

Gaila sighed. “You could contact him and say you’re sorry.”

“I’m not,” Jim insisted. “He was being a jerk.”

“Maybe he was and maybe he wasn’t. Does it matter who was wrong and who was right? You’re completely miserable.”

“He has a girlfriend.” He took another sip, grimaced, and then another.

“Uhura? Nah. Nyota’s not his girlfriend.”

“She wants to be.”

“Doesn’t make it so. There’s lots of girls who want to be your girlfriend, but you want Spock.”

“I do not.” He scowled.

“Jimmy, I…I’m going to go,” she said suddenly, rising from the seat across from him in the booth at the bar.

“What? Why?”

“Because someone else wants this seat.”

“What? Who?”

She shook her head, leaned down, and kissed his forehead. “Be good, Jimmy.”

She walked away and then a shadow fell across the table. Jim looked up and saw Spock looming over him. His gaze was on the green concoction in front of Jim.

“Sweet cocktails make you sick.”

“So what?”

Spock sighed and took the sear Gaila most recently occupied.

“What do you want?” Jim asked sullenly.

“To take you home. To our apartment.”

“I don’t live there. You kicked me out.”

“I did no such thing.”

“Well.” Jim shrugged. “Why do you want me to go home with you?”

“Because I love you and you are mine,” Spock said simply.

Jim blinked. He pushed away the sickening drink. “Yeah?”

Spock shook his had and sighed. “You are most illogical. There are times I would like to choke you and I am quite certain you feel that way about me.”

Jim smiled a little. “Yeah.”

“But there is no one else I would rather be with for the rest of my life.”

“Not even Uhura?”

“Not even her. There is no need to be jealous of my friendship with Nyota, Jim. She is only a friend and that is all she will ever be. I have tried to tell you that before. You are the one I want. Only.”

Jim bit his lip, then nodded. “Okay. I’ll go home with you.” His stomach churned. “But I did drink way too many of those things.”

“Indeed.” Spock nodded and stood, helping Jim from the booth. “Come, I will take care of you while you are sick.”

Jim walked out with Spock, Spock’s arm around him, and he felt…not great. But better.

November 1, 2021

Flash Fic, October 29, 2021

“That’s probably the ugliest Jack o’ Lantern I’ve ever seen.”

“Shut up, Bones. It has character.”

Bones frowned. He tilted his head this way and that as he studied the carved pumpkin on the dining room table of the apartment that Jim shared with Spock and their son, Satok.

“I’m surprised that Satok carved this. I thought he’d be far more careful.”

“Satok didn’t carve it.”

“Oh.” Bones nodded. “I assumed a child had so—”

“You’re just hilarious. You know it was me.”

Bones chuckled. “You never stop making me laugh. Don’t ever change.”

Jim grinned. “Oh, go home, would you? They’ll be here any moment and I’m making butternut squash soup and Kreyla.”

“You’re so domesticated.”

“Yeah yeah. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.” Jim walked Bones to the door. He grabbed a chocolate bar and thrust it at his best friend. “Trick or treat. Bye.”’

As soon as Bones was gone, Jim went to the kitchen to finish making dinner. About thirty minutes later, he heard the door to the apartment open and then footsteps as his family arrived home.

“Dad, I thought you were going to wait for me for the squash.”

“All I had to do was bake it and then puree it,” Jim called.

“I meant for the carveable one.”

Jim left the kitchen and saw Satok looking at the Jack O Lantern.

“Well, uh, I left another one for you to do.” He picked up another medium sized pumpkin and set it on the table.

Spock leaned over and kissed him. “It does have character, Jim.”

He grinned. “Yeah?”

“It is…interesting,” Satok said diplomatically.

“How was school?”

“Acceptable.” He put his books down and sat at the table. “But now I am anxious to begin cutting up the squash.”

“Mm. Pumpkin. Dinner will be ready in thirty.”

Satok nodded. “I calculate I can be finished by then.”

Jim kissed the top of his son’s head, laughing at his scowl, and then went back into the kitchen. Spock followed him.

“How were your classes today?” Jim asked as Spock began making himself tea. “Acceptable?” he teased.

“Indeed.” Spock’s lips twitched. “And your time at headquarters?”

“Annoying. Sometimes I want to smash Barker’s face in. I didn’t, of course.”

“Of course.”

There was a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it,” Satok called.

A moment later,

“Trick or Treat.”

Spock shook his head. “An illogical tradition.”

“Probably,” Jim agreed. “But I’ve saved some chocolate out for you.” He winked.

Spock pulled him close. “You are still, technically, of childbearing years.”

Jim laughed. “Er, yeah, maybe. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Satok might desire a younger brother or even a sister.”

Jim pulled back and gave him a look. “Spock.”

“I realize the last time was during Pon Farr,” Spock acknowledged. “Satok is nearing seven.”

Jim’s eyes widened.

“Do not worry. We still have some time.”

“I hope so. Go help our son carve his squash, will ya?”

Spock kissed him. “Very well. Happy Halloween.”

“Happy Halloween.”

And that’s a wrap on October Flashes. Thank you!

October 29, 2021

Flash Fic, October 27, 2021

“Captain James T. Kirk.”

The guy behind the desk looked up. “Are you really?”

Jim nodded. “Yes. And Commander Spock. Here to see the prisoner.”

“Which one?”

Jim glanced in Spock’s direction.

Spock straightened. “Cadet Vanik. We were told he was brought in two hours ago.”

“Oh, right. The half Vulcan. Okay, cellblock twenty.”

“Can we take him home?” Jim asked.

The man looked at his list. “Yes. Long as you pay the fine.”

Jim looked once more at Spock, who nodded.

Jim left Spock to it and then went through the indicated door into the corridor and the cells.

He found cell twenty.

“Vanik.”

The young man quickly straightened from the bunk he was resting on and stood, rushing to the bars.

“Uncle Jim!”

Jim looked at him. “What are you supposed to be?”

Vanik looked down at himself. “Frankenstein.”

Jim arched both brows. “I see. Want to explain yourself?”

“Well, um, there was this party and this fight and…”

“You got in a fight.”

Vanik hung his head. “Yes, sir.”

Jim glanced down the corridor as Spock and a guard came their way.

“All right. We’ve paid your fine. You can come home with us.”

“Thank you!”

The guard opened the door and stood back to let Vanik exit the cell. “You’re free to go, kid. Don’t end up in here again.”

“I will not.”

****

“Uncle Jim seemed angry,” Vanik told his uncle much later as they sat having tea together.

“More…disappointed. Our time is limited here in San Francisco. We depart on the Enterprise the day after tomorrow. Jim has many conferences prior to that and he was forced to take time off from his schedule for us to retrieve you.” Spock sipped his tea. “With your parents on another planet, they looked to us to literally bail you out.”

“It was a Halloween party.”

“I gathered by your choice of attire.”

Vanik blushed. “There were attendants of the party being unpleasant and I admit my emotions were not entirely under control.”

“Given Sybok is your sire I am not altogether surprised. Still you will be lucky if this does not affect your record at the Academy.”

“Do you think it will?”

“What will?”

And suddenly Jim was there, at their outside table, looking good enough to eat, Spock thought, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt with a leather jacket. He carried with him a coffee and a pumpkin cheese Danish which he was already devouring as he sat.

“Uncle Spock wondered if my arrest would make it to my Academy record.”

Jim nodded. “It would have, yes, but somebody you know and love was able to use his influence.”

Vanik brightened at once. “Really? Thank you, Uncle Jim.”

Jim waved that away. “Just see that you keep out of trouble from now on, Vanik. Spock and I will be leaving again and your parents—”

“Yes, yes. I will behave.” Vanik reached over and tore off a piece of Jim’s Danish.

“Is that behaving?”

“But—”

Jim laughed. “It’s fine, kid.”

Vanik smiled slightly. “And you? You two are well? With everything?”

“Of course we are.” Jim smiled at Spock and touched his fingers to Spock’s.

Spock’s eyes warmed. “Now, tell us how your classes are going.” Vanik popped the pastry into his mouth. “Very well. My one class is—”

October 27, 2021

Flash Fic, October 25, 2021

“I can’t believe I let you drag me to this,” Bones grumbled.

“Oh, come on, you love this stuff.”

Bones gave him an incredulous look as they stood outside the theater waiting for it to open.

“I do not. First of all, there is no such thing as a headless horseman.” He paused. “There’s no such thing as a headless anything. Well, I mean that still lives…sorta lives. You know.”

Jim chuckled. “It’s all based on folklore. And anyway, tell that to Irving Berlin.”

Bones frowned. “What does he have to do with it?”

“Well, he wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. What we’re about to see.”

“Lord, why do I know you? Irving Berlin wrote White Christmas.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, the song. Sleepy Hollow was by Washington Irving, genius.”

Jim grinned, unphased. “Whatevs. Spock and Uhura are in the play and I said we’d come.”

“What are they playing?”

“Uh. Uhura’s playing Katrina Van Tassel. Spock’s playing the horseman.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No, I’m not. She roped him into it. He’s the biggest, strongest looking guy and he fit the costume. Since he didn’t have any actual lines, Spock agreed to this one time performance.”

Bones smirked. “Now I’m actually looking forward to it.”

“Believe me he told me he regrets agreeing. He’s had to do rehearsals every night for two weeks. Comes home every night so exhausted we can’t even—”

“Yeah TMI.”

Jim rolled his eyes. “I’m just glad this is finally the performance night. Now he can get back to performing—”

“La la la.” Bones stuck his fingers in his ears.

“The doors are opening. Be quiet.”

****

A couple of hours later, Jim and Bones exited the theater.

“I have to say that was a an unexpectedly chilling performance out of Spock.”

“You mean you almost peed your pants,” Jim joked.

“Not quite, but he does make a believable headless horseman. It was a better time than I thought, Jim. I apologize.”

Jim choked and grabbed his chest. “Oh no, Bones apologized, I’m dying!”

Bones grinned. “Shut up.”

“Why is Jim shutting up?”

Spock had appeared suddenly, it seemed, though Jim was sure it really wasn’t. He still wore the dark clothes and the long cape of the horseman.

“Oh, he isn’t,” Bones said. “He never does. I would think you’d know that. Great performance, Spock. I mean that.”

Spock nodded. “Don’t lose your head over it.” He paused. “I mean that.”

Jim burst out laughing. “You made a joke. You’re so cute.”

Bones gagged. “I see Uhura over there. Gonna say hi. Nighty night, boys.”

Jim grabbed on to the edges of the cape. “I gotta say, you look delicious in this. You should have worn this on the ship.”

“This attire does not meet Starfleet regulations for appropriate attire.”

Jim sighed. “I guess so. It’s cold out here.” He shivered. “If we don’t get home soon my joints are gonna stiffen up. It’s hell getting old.”

“You are hardly old, Jim. Didn’t the Admiralty just send you a message about another five-year mission?”

“Uh-huh. But sometimes I wonder if we shouldn’t leave that to younger guys.” He smiled. “Anyway, you ready, honey, or do you have to do something else?”

“I should remove this costume and return it to the costume department. Can you wait here?”

“Sure, but hurry. It is cold.”

Jim moved to the side of the theater to get out of everyone’s way and huddled there. The minutes passed and passed and still Jim was waiting. He would be getting concerned but it was Spock, and no one was more reliable than Spock.

But soon Jim was pretty much the only one still standing outside the theater. He turned to the door, but it was locked. He bit his lip.

“Shit. What do I do now?”

He felt for his communicator even as he heard a noise behind him. Suddenly his heart rate picked up. The show had been spooky. But there were no such things as headless horsemen tossing jack-o-lantern heads at unsuspecting victims.

And yet…why did it sound like the clip clop of horse’s hooves behind him.

Breath held, Jim started to turn around when the theater door opened.

“I am so sorry, Jim.” Spock rushed toward him. “The zipper got stuck and the costume department head wanted to be careful with it so they could use it again in the future. I intended to just rip it.”

Jim blew out his held breath and looked around. There was nothing there. He turned back to Spock, swallowed, and attempted a smile.

He was a starship captain, for God’s sake.

“No big deal. But can we go now? I’m freezing.”

Spock took his coat off and put it on Jim. “Yes, ashayam. We will go now.”

They turned in the opposite direction from the sound Jim heard and he couldn’t help but be glad.

He made it home without losing his head. That was a huge plus.

October 25, 2021

Flash Fic, October 20, 2021

“It feels so cold.” Jim shivered as he stepped past the threshold of the house. He suddenly regretted letting his friends talk him into going into the creepy house.

“Well.” Janice scooted next to him. “No one’s occupied it for years, so there’s no heat or anything. It makes sense it would be cold.”

“Mm.”

He was there with Janice, Christine, Bones, Sulu, Uhura and Spock. Jim had a big time crush on Spock, but so did Uhura. She had been jonesing to go out with Spock and get her nails into him since the beginning of the semester of the Academy. That was the sole reason she was there that night. Because of Spock.

Jim had a little hope, though, because Spock had only agreed to go into the creepy house because Janice had talked Jim into attending. Bones told Jim that Janice liked him, but Jim had eyes only for Spock. Yeah, it probably sucked for everyone.

Despite the hope he did have, Jim wasn’t convinced it meant Spock was sexually interested in him. It could just be that he thought Jim was stupid enough to get himself hurt at the creepy house and admittedly they were friends. Spock had sort of made himself Jim’s personal bodyguard ever since Jim’s acrimonious breakup with a girl whose brother wanted to kick his ass.

“Okay, sure,” Jim agreed. “But it seems like…unusually cool. Like blast freeze.”

“Or ghostly visitors?” Bones asked with a knowing smirk. “Trying to go for atmosphere, Jim?:

He shrugged. “This wasn’t my idea.”

He saw a room at the end of the hallway but the others seemed to be headed in the direction of the kitchen. For some reason, Jim felt drawn to that room, so he lingered behind from the group and headed in that direction instead. He put his hand on the outside of the door which almost felt like he was touching a block of ice.

A voice in his head told him not to open the door, but he ignored it, twisted the knob and went into the room.

It appeared to be an old ballroom, from back in the days, he guessed, rich people had those. The room was so cold, Jim could see his breath, and he started to shake uncontrollably.

I shouldn’t be here. Something bad happened here. Really bad.

“Spock,” he said out loud, though he couldn’t say why.

As he turned around to head out, he suddenly realized he was somehow in the middle of the room, though he couldn’t remember walking that far in. Cold fingers touched his neck and he blanched. Suddenly coming toward him was a wisp of smoke or mist and for some reason he found he couldn’t move.

The door of the room slammed open like an explosion in the empty room and then warm fingers seized his wrist and yanked him with unusual force from the the room.

“We are leaving,” Spock’s voice said directly into his ear.

The next he knew, he was outside of the house entirely and being held in Spock’s strong warm arms. Spock was rubbing his back and he was speaking softly but Jim wasn’t sure what he said.

Slowly he began to feel warmer and become more aware of what was happening around him. He realized the others were there too.

“It is all right, Jim. You are safe now,” Spock spoke softly.

Jim nodded and snuggled in closer to him. “What was that?”

“I do not know. Leonard says you suffered from a bit of shock but he gave you something and you are coming out of it.”

“M’kay.”

Spock’s hold tightened. “I am going to take you home as soon as you are well enough to walk away from here. I think the sooner the better though.”

“I’m ready. Just…not sure I want to be alone.”

“I am taking you home with me,” Spock assured him.

Jim summoned up his first smile in quite some time to look into Spock’s face. “Yeah?”

“Of course.”

Nearby Uhura sighed and muttered, “I don’t know why I ever bothered.”

“Told you,” Sulu whispered back.

Spock took Jim’s arm and they all began to walk away from the spooky house. Some looked back as they did, warily, but Jim kept his eyes firmly away. He never wanted to see it again.

But at least…Spock. Something good had come out of it. But it would be a long time before he’d come anywhere near this area.

October 20, 2021

Flash Fic, October 18, 2021

A continuation…

Leonard was surprised when two days later it was a fully showered and dressed Spock who came down the stairs while Leonard was helping himself to a cup of coffee and another pumpkin donut.

He’d been bored to tears for those days, finding there was little to do by yourself in a homestead in the middle of nowhere. He hadn’t dared go directly into the bedroom while matters were still commencing but he had kept a pained ear trained.

“Doctor.”

“Spock, nice to see you coherent. Does that mean it’s over?”

“It has…passed.” Spock went into the kitchen to make himself tea. “At the moment, the captain is sleeping.”

Leonard rolled his eyes. “The captain is it?”

Spock averted his gaze. “I suppose you have many questions.”

“You bet I do. But first I need to check on Jim.”

“He is asleep and in a mild version of the Vulcan healing trance I initiated for him. I would ask that you not disturb him immediately.”

“And I would ask where you got your medical degree,” Leonard rose and he held up a hand when Spock took a forward step. “I’m just going to check. If he’s sleeping and is in no immediate distress, I’ll leave him be.”

“Very well.”

Leonard took his medical bag and went up the stairs into the bedroom his two closest friends had been using. Jim was lying on his side facing away from Leonard. He ran a quick scan and was relieved to see his vitals seemed to be close to normal. He saw no evidence of excessive wounds or bruising either.

Going back downstairs, Leonard found Spock sitting at the table with his tea. In front of him was the Vulcan bread Kreyla.

“Satisfied?”

“For now.”

Spock stared into his tea. “I am the last being you need be concerned would harm him. He is the most important to me in the universe.”

“Is that as a result of the Pon Farr.”

“My affection for Jim preceded that,” Spock said softly. “He has been the subject of my affections for some time.”

Leonard raised his eyebrows. “Was Jim aware of that before Pon Farr?”

“Yes. Our relationship was kept secret in the waning months of the five-year mission. I had discussed the possibility of my time with him and secured his consent prior to his commencement.”

“And what happens now?”

“We are a bonded pair.”

“Meaning?”

“A legal marriage in terms of the Federation. Should Jim wish to have an Earth marriage, I am amenable.” Spock paused, sipped his tea. “We intend to file the bonding papers once we have fully recovered.”

“I’d been sent to find you. Apparently some young Vulcans were having performance issues. Jim assured me you were not.”

“I was not. But to hear some are, is troubling.”

“Yeah, so they’re working on it. I informed everyone that you were okay and in the throes of it. I’ll let them know you came out of it fine.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

“Well, if this is what you both want, then congratulations, Spock.”

“Jim did say you were aware of his feeling for me.”

Leonard nodded. “Yeah, long time ago he confessed to me. You and Uhura were pretty serious back then and Jim’s not that kind of guy.”

“I am aware.”

“But if this is what you two want, then, I’m happy for you.”

Spock nodded. “I will always hold great affection for Nyota, but Jim is my T’hy’la. There can be no one else for me.”

“And I’m sure Jim feels the same way. Okay, Spock, I’m going to check on him one more time and then I’ll leave you two to it. I’m sure that you’ll see that he eats and takes care of himself.”

“I will, of course.”

Leonard smiled. “Of course. I have more own leave to get back to, so soon I’ll let you two get to yours. A sort of…honeymoon,”

Spock arched a brow. Leonard gathered up his few belongings and set out to check on Jim once more before departure.

He knew everything would be fine.

October 18, 2021

Flash Fic, October 13, 2021

Jim pulled at the flesh flaking off his face. It was itching like crazy. He knew he shouldn’t have let himself be talked into wearing so much make up and fake skin. Sure, he looked the part of a zombie, but he was completely uncomfortable and probably having some kind of allergic reaction besides.

The zombie contacts were killing his eyes, making them red. Which okay might be a nice effect for his costume, but he was miserable and his eyes were watering and making his make up run.

And don’t even get him started on the zombie wig. His head itched something awful and he’d began to wonder if it really was new and not used as the Halloween shop guy had claimed.

He had managed to secure himself a spot in the corner of the party, where he sipped lightly at a cocktail with a beating heart. Okay it was really just a cherry but that’s what the bartender had called the drink, the Beating Heart.

Jim was sorry he’d come. No one he’d been told would be there had shown up. The band, the Crimson Ghoulies, were pretty awful.

“Brainssssss.”

Jim rolled his eyes. Ever since he’d arrived partygoers had been coming up to him and yelling BRAINSSSS in his face. He was over it.

But when he glanced over at the latest one, it was someone else dressed in a zombie costume, fairly similar to his.

“Uh, yeah. Brains. Hungry for them.”

The other zombie stared blankly at him. He had his arms outstretched toward Jm.

“Brainsssss.”

“Yeah, brains. I get it. We’re both dressed like zombies.” Jim didn’t recognize the guy, but there were plenty of people at the party he didn’t know. He gestured with his thumb. “Bartender’s there in the back if you want to get a drink. I think he’s got one called Brains.”

The zombie guy continued to stand in front of Jim, his mouth hanging partway open. He smelled too, a bit like rotting flesh. Jim shivered.

“I think you’re taking the zombie thing a bit far, buddy.”

“Brainssss.”

“Beat it, dude. I’m not interested.”

And as Jim was about to turn away and ignore the guy, a hooded figure came up behind him and shoved what looked like a Vulcan weapon straight through the middle of the guy. He collapsed at Jim’s feet, his now oozing flesh beginning to steam.

“Holy crap, what—”

The guy lowered his hood and looked calmly at Jim. “He was indeed a zombie.”

“What?”

“I am Spock of Vulcan, a zombie slayer, if you will. Come with me.”

“Huh?”

Spock sighed. “This area of Earth is about to be overrun with zombies. I have a ship that will take us away from Earth while the zombie apocalypse takes place. You will be safe with me.’ He paused. “Or would you prefer to take your chances with him?”

Jim looked down at the now disintegrating creature. “Oh my God. That’s so gross.”

“Jim.”

He looked back up at the Vulcan. “You know my name?”

“I know everything about you. There is little time and you may wish to remove your costume. Come.”

“How’d you know I wasn’t a real zombie?” Jim asked, moving away from the corner where he was to follow Spock.

“As a slayer, I have the ability to distinguish them.”

“I still don’t understand—”

They got into the lift.

“Other than that guy, everyone else seemed normal.”

Spock nodded. “He is the start of it. Or is among those that are the beginning here in San Francisco. I would rather we leave and get you to safety before the city is overrun.”

“Me? Why?”

“You are…important to me. Once I have gotten you to safety, I will return to do my slayer duty.”

“But—”

The lift opened and Spock grabbed Jim’s arm and tugged him out and down a corridor. At the end of that was a door and he pulled Jim through.

A ship waited there.

A man Jim thought he had seen before in Starfleet stood outside the doors of the ship.

“You got him, then?”

“Yes, Mr. Scott.”

The door of the ship opened, and a tall, slim, dark skinned woman emerged. She smiled. “Thank goodness, Spock. You got your T’hy’la?”

“Yes, Nyota.”

Jim was brought on board and there were others there too.

Spock pointed. “There is the refresher. You can go in there to clean up. A change of clothes awaits you.”

“Spock, who are these people?”

“My crew. Other zombie slayers. Go, Jim. We are about to leave.”

Shaking his head, confused and a little wasted from alcohol, Jim went into the refresher to shower and remove all evidence of the costume. He ripped at the horrible contacts first.

He stared at himself in the mirror. His heart pounded hard in his chest as he felt movement under his feet. The ship was taking off.

“Well, Jim, you wanted excitement and adventure. Guess you’re about to get it.”

He got in the shower, closed his eyes and let the water wash away the grime of the make up. But then he opened them quickly. If there were zombies out there, he’d better be on his guard.

After he was finished and dressed in the clothes left for him, Jim exited the refresher.

Spock waited for him. “Teach me,” Jim said. “I want to learn to be a zombie slayer.”

October 13, 2021

Flash Fic, October 08, 2021

You are in luck! This one is not scary!

Leonard stopped his hover car in front of the Kirk farmhouse.

It was mid-October and the house was decorated for Autumn and Halloween with pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, leaves and witches. It made Leonard smile.

No matter what everyone thought of Jim, he could be entirely sentimental about such things.

The Enterprise crew was on an extended leave after the end of the five-year mission. Most had signed up for a second one, very few had not. Though Leonard had been dubious about going on another, Jim had wheedled him into with a…

“Bones, I need you.”

He’d already spent a month visiting with his daughter and he intended to go back once this task was over. He didn’t really know how he’d got roped into it, actually.

He got out and went up the steps to the front door. Along each step, Jim had placed pumpkins. At the top was a white one.

Leonard knocked and as it took a really long time for the door to be answered, he realized he had stupidly not let Jim know he was coming. Maybe Jim wasn’t even there.

But then finally the door opened and a bleary-eyed Jim stared out at him.

“Bones?”

“Jim! You look like hell. You been sick?”

“What? No. Come in.” He held the door wide and Leonard noticed that save for the kitchen, there were no lights on in the house.

He looked fully at Jim for the first time.

Jim wore only a pair of pajama bottoms. His hair was askew. He had dark circles under his eyes and what looked like bite marks on his chest and neck.

“I’ve interrupted something, have I?” Leonard asked with a smirk.

Jim just gave him a look. “Coffee?”

“I don’t want to be any trouble.” He glanced at the stairs. “Is she up there? Let me guess. Orion.”

Jim snorted. “You’re always trouble. Coffee or not?”

He was already making a pot, so Leonard agreed.

“So…Orion?”

“No. And he’s sleeping.”

“Wore him out, huh?”

“Something like that.”

Jim bent down and reached into the fridge. He took out half and half and a plastic box. “Pumpkin donuts.”

“You went all out.”

“Mm. These are a couple of days old, but they should still be good. I’m starving.”

Jim brought them to the table, poured two mugs of coffee and then sat down. Leonard joined him.

“Thought you were in Georgia.”

“I am.”

“I have something to tell you, Bones. This is Iowa.”

“Hardy har har. Think I want to be here? Bothering you on your leave? I was with Joanna.”

“Then…?”

“M’Benga and Starfleet contacted me. The Vulcans are looking for Spock.”

Jim frowned. “Spock? Why? What’s wrong?”

“Guess there’s something going on with a lot of the surviving Vulcans. Many of the younger ones have been going into pre-mature…uh…there’s this thing. Called—”

“Pon Farr.”

“You know about it?”

“Spock mentioned it to me some time ago. At that time, he expected if he went through it, it would be with Uhura. He wasn’t sure as he’s only half Vulcan.”

“Right. So I guess they haven’t been able to reach him to find out if he’s having some of the symptoms. Because I’m CMO of the Enterprise they asked me to try to find him. He’s not on New Vulcan and Uhura hasn’t heard from him.”

Jim took a bite of a donut. “They’re not together.”

“I know. But I thought if he was desperate and he had no one else he might seek her out. Hasn’t though. I tried contacting you for the last few days but you haven’t been answering, so that’s why I came here.”

Jim winced. “Sorry, Bones. I’ve been, uh, busy.”

Leonard smirked. “So I know now. Some of the younger ones facing it have been having trouble mating and that’s why they want to check on Spock. See if he’s experiencing any of this.”

“Trouble mating? Like what?”

Leonard shrugged. “The urge is there but the equipment’s not working. They have medical personnel and healers working on it to save them. I doubt there’s—”

He stopped as he heard footsteps on the stairs.

“Jim? I woke and you were not—”

Leonard felt his eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.

Standing at the bottom step of the stairs was a naked Spock. He looked a bit dazed and flushed.

“Uh, yeah. Sorry, sweetheart. Bones arrived looking for you.”

Spock blinked in Jim’s direction, but he said nothing.

“I needed some food too. I’ll be right back. Go up to bed and I’ll be there in no time.”

“Jim.”

“I promise, Spock. I’ll be right after you.”

Spock barely glanced at Leonard, but he nodded, gaze a little lovesick as he looked at Jim, but then he turned on his heels and went back up the stairs.

“You could have said he was here,” Leonard said sharply.

“I was protecting his privacy,” Jim murmured, sipping his coffee. “He’s, uh, in Pon Farr right now.”

“So I gathered. You and—”

“Yep. We’re bonded. And I gotta say, he’s had no trouble with his equipment.” Jim finished his coffee and donut and stood. “I really need to get back up there as it’s not over.”

“Clearly.”

“You can stay if you want, but I gotta warn you it might get loud.”

Leonard pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m torn. Part of me thinks I should stick around for it to be over so I can check you two lovebirds medically, but the other part of me can’t wait to get out of here. Either way, I’ll notify M’Benga and Starfleet and Vulcans that Spock’s fine.”

“Thanks.” Jim headed for the stairs. “If you decide to stay, there’s a room down here to the left of the stairs.”

“How much longer has he got?”

“Hell if I know. This is the end of day three. See you, Bones. Soon or not.” Jim chuckled and then made his way up the stairs, favoring one cheek as he did so.

Leonard sighed. He probably needed to get his medical bag out of his hover car and stay a few days.

Idiots.

October 8, 2021

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

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