This one is more like the lead up to the family gathering.
“How do I look?” Jim asked his husband after observing himself first in the mirror. He’d chosen not to wear his uniform for this was a personal occasion and they were not on duty. While Spock had dressed in Vulcan robes, he had opted for nice slacks and a long-sleeved button-down shirt he was certain he’d be too warm in.
“Acceptable,” Spock replied, absently.
Jim sighed inwardly. “Some day you’re going to have to tone down those compliments, Spock. They’re starting to give me a big head.”
Spock glanced at him. “Your head is of appropriate size.”
“That’s a relief.” He tamped down his annoyance. “Do you think she’ll like me?”
‘She’ was Sarek’s new Vulcan wife. Many years after the death of Spock’s mom, he had formally bonded with another and Spock and Jim had been invited to their home on New Vulcan for a ‘Meet and Greet’ or a family dinner, Jim supposed. Sarek had offered his lodging for them to stay overnight as well.
“I cannot say.”
“You can’t even guess?”
Spock shrugged slightly. “To speculate would be illogical. I do not know her specific preferences and cannot speak to them.”
“See, on Earth when you meet someone’s parents and they ask if they’ll like you, the usual preferred response is ‘I am sure they will love you as much as I do’ or some variation.”
“That would not be an accurate statement,” Spock told him. “Vulcans do not form opinions based on the perceptions of others.”
Jim’s jaw clenched. “Your dad likes me, though, right?”
“He has never stated whether he does or does not.”
“But you must have an impression.”
Spock denied this too.
“Oh my God. Why…why am I even going to this with you?” Jim exclaimed, no longer bothering to hide his anger and disappointment.
Spock now appeared perplexed. “Because you are my husband and I want you there with me.”
Jim narrowed his eyes. “What for?”
“Because you are important to me and should be included in a gathering with my family.” Spock came forward and took Jim’s hands in his. “Jim, their opinion of you is irrelevant.”
“How?”
“Whether they like you or not, it does not change who you are. You remain an outstanding individual with many honorable accomplishments, a great many admirers, a number of people who love you and respect you, me most especially.”
Jim blew out a breath and smiled a little. “You most especially?”
“Of course. I only meant that I cannot predict what her opinion of either of us will be, but that it does not change what is true, who we are to each other, and how we will go forward. That is what I mean by irrelevant. We remain committed mates with a deep, lifelong bond.”
Jim’s smile widened. “When you put it like that…”
Spock smiled slightly. “On the other hand, I cannot imagine how either my father or his new wife could find you lacking, because you are a treasure to me.”
Now he laughed. “Okay, okay. Now you’re making up for it. Come on, Spock. Let’s go meet the parents.”
“She is not my parent.”
“You know what I mean. Your father’s wife.”
“Indeed. And while I will respect that and perhaps even come to appreciate her, she will never replace my mother.”
Jim kissed him. “I know. Not in a million years. Come on. They’re waiting.”
Jim nodded, or tried to. It seemed to take more strength then he could manage.
Uhura. That’s who was with him. She put her hand on his forehead.
“You’re burning up.”
“F-freezing.”
“That’s the fever,” she told him. “But it’s going to be okay. They’re coming for us.” She tucked blankets around him, the emergency kind, so they weren’t particularly soft and cozy.
“I know, Jim, but that’s all we have.”
He hadn’t realized he spoke that out loud.
“You’ll be with Spock any minute, okay? But in the meantime you need to stay with me here. Rest but don’t close your eyes.”
His dry lips felt like they were about to crack open and bleed. “Water.”
She held up a canteen and helped to lift his head up so he could take a sip.
“You need to drink more.”
“No. Save it for you.”
“I don’t need it. And they’ll come and get us before I will,” Uhura insisted.
“Listen.”
“I’m listening, Captain.”
“Tell Spock—”
“No. You tell him yourself,” she said firmly.
He was dying. He knew he was. And he was fading fast. He could barely think coherently. He’d been speared in the side by a native of the planet and he’d been bleeding pretty badly. He was going into septic shock. And unless the ship beamed them up right now, he was going to die.
“Not going to make it,” he whispered.
“You are too!. Listen to me, Jim Kirk. We’re all supposed to have shore leave in just a couple of weeks on Earth and we’re going to your mom’s farmhouse in Riverside for a big Thanksgiving gathering for all of us as family and you most certainly are going to be there!”
“Nyota.”
“You are! They’re going to get to us any minute and then Leonard is going to fix you.”
“Tell Spock—” He closed his eyes.
“Jim! No! You open your eyes! You hear me! Open your eyes.” She sobbed and grabbed hold of him. “Open your eyes!”
****
He woke up. Somehow he was not dead.
“There you are.”
“Bones?”
Bones gave him a small smile. “Welcome back.”
“I thought I was a goner.”
“We all did. We beamed you up with Uhura draped over you begging you to wake up. If it weren’t for Spock—”
“Spock?”
“He’s here. He did something in your bond, somehow he brought you back.” There were tears in Bones’ eyes. “Here.”
Bones disappeared and in his place was his…Spock.
“Hey.”
Spock grabbed Jim’s hand and held it tight.
“Close huh?”
Spock nodded but did not speak.
“Guess I’m going to make it to that Thanksgiving shore leave after all.”
****
“Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh, through the white and drifted snow.”
Jim, Sulu, and Bones finished singing as they approached the Kirk Farmhouse.
“Only she’s not our grandmother, this isn’t a sleigh, and there’s not a hint of snow anywhere!” Jim declared.
Spock said, “The original poem was actually written to Grandfather’s house and was written in 1845.”
Jim grinned. “Thanks for the history lesson, babe.”
“You are welcome, Jim.”
“Doesn’t know sarcasm when he hears it,” Bones muttered under his breath.
They all got out of the hover car and headed to the kitchen door to enter the house. They’d always used that door growing up, Jim mused, rarely using the front door.
His mom greeted them warmly and as they all filed in before him, Jim used the chance to pull Uhura aside before she entered the house.
“I wanted to thank you for everything you did down there,” he told her.’
She smiled. “It was nothing, Captain.”
“It was more than nothing and we both know it.”
“You would have done the same thing for me. And now we’d better get in there. Ever since that incident, Spock won’t let you out of his sight.”
Jim laughed. “Yeah.”
And sure enough Spock was waiting anxiously by the door.
“Still okay, honey,” Jim assured him.
Spock looped a hand around Jim’s upper arm and held on to him, drawing him close. Jim let him.
“Now, welcome everyone,” his mother said, cheerfully. “We’re going to have turkey and stuffing and pie, and yes some vegetarian fare, and wine and cheer. We’re all thankful and blessed.”
I’m here Jim sent through the bond, sensing some underlying anxiety still coming from Spock.
For which I am thankful.
Jim smiled and squeezed his hand, then accepted the glass of wine his mother brought to him.
This site has been paid for for another year, most of 2026. But I wanted to let you all know that I have made the decision that the next year will likely be it for this blog. When the time comes for renewal in November next year, I intend to cancel. I’ll still be working on AO3 I think, but this will be ending next year.
I know that is disappointing for some but at least you’ll get another year of flashes, etc.
I’m going to be on a cruise for the better part of the next week so there won’t be any updates to A03 other than the two I just did. I have the flash done for tomorrow and am hoping I can get something written to post next Friday but it might be a day or two late. We will see.
Bones eyed Jim as he approached the rec room entrance. Bones stood there like a sentinel guarding it. Beyond the CMO, the Halloween Pary was going full swing. Loud pounding music, drinks, food, laughter, dancing.
“What are you supposed to be?” Bones demanded.
“Little Red Riding Hood, obviously.”
“What’s obvious about it? You aren’t wearing a little dress.”
“Ya think?” Jim fingered his red cape and hood. “This doesn’t give it away?”
“I suppose.”
Jim held up his basket. “I also have a basket full of goodies for grandma.”
“Hmm. Still pretty lame.”
Jim looked Bones over. He was wearing some kind of soldier’s costume, heavy with armor and some kind of helmet over most of his head and face with only his mouth showing.
“What the hell are you supposed to be?”
“Judge Dredd.”
“There’s something dreadful about the way you look all right,” Jim said with a laugh.
“Hardy har har. Where’s Spock? Are you telling me he got to skip this?”
“No way. If I had to come, so did he. Who’s idea was this anyway?”
“Who do you think? Uhura and Sulu. They’re on the morale committee.”
“They are the morale committee.”
A tall slender man attired all in black except for the wolf mask covering the whole head appeared behind Jim.
“This is very uncomfortable, Captain,” Spock said, his voice muffled by the mask.
“I know, honey, once we get into the party you can removed the head.”
Bones laughed. “So he’s the wolf gonna eat you, huh?”
“What else?” Jim grinned. “He made a better predator than a granny.”
Bones shook his head. “All right, go in, don’t let me stop you.”
“Why are you the doorman anyway?” Jim asked as he and Spock moved past Bones and into the rec room.
“Uhura’s orders. No one is allowed in without a costume. I only have duty for another ten minutes then Scotty takes over.”
Jim and Spock moved further into the party until they were approached by Uhura, who was dressed as the Huntsman.
“You’re going to come to my rescue after the wolf devours me,” Jim joked.
She smirked. “You wish. You guys want a drink? You’ll have to take off the mask, Spock.”
“He wants to anyway.’
Spock started tugging at it. “Captain, it won’t come off.”
“What? Here let me.” Jim started tugging at it. “Damn, it’s really stuck. Uhura, help me out here.”
She joined Jim in trying to tug it off. “It won’t budge. Sorry, Spock. You’re going to have to remain a wolf.”
“What? We can get someone to cut if off.”
“You run the risk of cutting Spock’s head off then, Captain.”
“Well, sure, but isn’t that better than staying a wolf” Jim turned to Spock. “What do you want to—”
Spock howled, then growled, pouncing on Jim and knocking him to the ground.
“Oh my GOD!” Jim sat up in bed, breathing heavily. His heart pounded hard.
“Jim? Jim, what is it?” Spock exclaimed next to him.
“Computer, lights.”
His bedroom lit up, and next to him Spock, looking perfectly normal.
“That was…that was a weird dream.”
Spock appeared concerned. “You were yelling, something about a wolf.”
“Uh-huh. Remember I was saying we should go as Little Riding Hood and the Wolf to Uhura’s party?”
“Yes.”
“Forget it. No way.”
“What will we go as then?”
“No idea. But it’s not going to require masks, heads or make-up of any kind. You know, you should go as me and I’ll go as you. We just switch uniforms and easy peasy.”
“What about my pointy ears?” Spock asked with an arch of a brow.
“Not doing that either. Just uniforms. That’s gotta be good enough.”
Spock nodded. “As you wish, Captain. Can you return to sleeping?’
Jim thought about it. “I…think so. Computer…lights out.”
“Jim?”
“Hmm?”
“What big teeth you have.”
Jim laughed. “That’s my line. But go ahead and eat me.”
Spock pounced on him and began to kiss him until Jim forgot, sort of, about the bad dream.
Leaves fell outside the window of the hospital room on a late October day. Jim stared out that window as daylight disappeared and nighttime took over. He stayed out of the way as nurses fussed over his mother.
When they departed, he turned from the window and smiled.
She fluffed her blankets. “You don’t have to stay here, you know. They’ll be bringing my dinner in soon.” She made a face.
Jim laughed as he approached the bed. “What are they bringing?”
“Supposed to be Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes but given the trout they served me last night, which was not trout by the way, I don’t know what it was, I don’t have high hopes.”
Jim pulled a chair closer. “What did the doctor say?”
“I have to stay three more days.”
“So you get out in three days? That’s good.”
His mom snorted. “That’s the way to put a positive spin on it.”
“I believe in positivity.”
She smiled and reached for his hand. “You didn’t always.”
Jim acknowledged that with a nod.
“Anyway, I’ll have a list of things I can and cannot do and medications to take and all that.”
“You did have heart surgery,” he reminded her gently. “I’m glad you’re here to get those lists.”
“Me too. But you really don’t have to stay. I’m sure you have other things to do.”
“I’ll stay through your dinner.”
As if on cue, the food services person appeared in the doorway, wheeling the cart, followed by one of his mother’s nurses.
“Can I get you anything, honey?” the nurse asked Jim. “You’re entitled to a dinner of you want one.”
“Thank you, no.”
“Okay.”
They both watched as the food services person put the tray in front of his mother. Jim peered at the Salisbury steak.
“Looks vaguely gray, that gravy.”
His mother sniffed.
The food services person looked vaguely affronted but departed with her cart.
“That’s one of our most popular meals,” the nurse insisted.
Jim smiled. “I’m sure.”
“Coffee? Tea? A date with my single daughter?’
His mother laughed. “He’s very much taken, Lois.”
“Hmm. Didn’t see a ring.”
“His Vulcan husband didn’t feel rings were required,” Spock said from the doorway.
Jim chuckled. “And that’s him, there. And I didn’t feel the need either.” He tapped his forehead. “He’s branded me his…here.”
Lois rolled her eyes. “I’ll never understand the younger generation.”
She slid past Spock to leave the room and Spock came over to his mother’s hospital bed.
“Here to collect him,” she said. “Believe me, he’s ready. He’s been hovering.”
“I have not,” Jim protested.
“We can stay as long as Jim wishes. How are you feeling?”
“Like I want to get out of her yesterday,” she admitted. “But seriously, take him home. I’m going to eat this slop, watch some things on that screen up there, and go to sleep. See you tomorrow, honey?”
Jim leaned over and kissed her. “Of course you will.”
They passed Jack O Lanterns and fake skeletons decorating the nurse’s areas and the lobby as they exited the hospital to Spock’s waiting hover car.
Jim sighed and closed his eyes once he got into the passenger seat.
“You are exhausted, T’hy’la.”
“Mm. Long day. Meetings at HQ, then coming here. All I want is some Plomeek soup, a massage and to laze in bed with you.”
Spock’s lips quirked. “Fortunately, I can make all of that come true.”
Jim turned away from the window. Outside the rain was slashing violently against the window, lightning flashed, and an occasional large boom of thunder could be heard in the distance, though he thought it was likely coming closer.
Bones sighed. “There’s no leaving here tonight then. Hopefully it’s better in the morning.”
They were in a cabin in the woods. They were lucky to have found the shelter since originally they had been tent camping.
“Yeah.”
Bones poured whiskey from a flask into a mug. “Fortunately this place is pretty well-stocked. We should have booked this cabin in the first place.”
Jim had found the contact information when they entered the cabin and had notified the owner they were there and would reimburse whatever they used. He had been glad the owner was pretty cool about the whole thing. The cabin was a rental, anyway, and Bones was right, they should have rented it to begin with.
But nothing about this trip had gone right.
It was meant to be a little camping trip to celebrate the end of their five-year mission. Bones had fond memories of camping with his dad when he was a boy and he had talked Jim and Spock into the idea of a couple of days.
Of course now Bones said they should have rented a cabin. It had been his damn idea to do the tents. But Jim wasn’t going to point that out. He was cranky and miserable. The clothes he wore still clung damply to his skin and he’d only just got the fire going in the fireplace.
There was also the plain fact Spock was not with them. Just before they were to leave on this camping trip from Hell, he and Spock had a huge fight. Spock declared he was going to New Vulcan to visit his father instead and that was that.
Jim thought maybe they broke up. He wasn’t even really sure.
Somehow Bones talked him into making the trek into the woods for camping anyway. They’d barely set up their tents when the storm came. A bad storm that had collapsed their flimsy tents and drenched them.
They had made their way back to their transport car only to find it wouldn’t start and it was stuck in the mud, anyway.
So here they were. Wet, cold and miserable. He’d change into dry clothes except that the rain had soaked the clothes he’d brought with him, too, as his whole bag had been drenched.
“I suppose you blame me for all this,” Bones grumbled as Jim joined him once more by the fire.
Jim picked up his own mug of coffee mixed with whiskey. “Nah, you couldn’t have known we were going to get the storm of the century. They didn’t even predict it.”
“True. But I knew you weren’t thrilled with the tent thing.”
“Eh. I was a boy scout a long time ago. I slept in a tent a few times.”
Bones smiled faintly. “You’re being too nice. I’m sure things would seem better if, well, you know.”
“Spock didn’t dump me?”
“I’m sure he didn’t dump you, Jim. He’ll cool off and when we get back to civilization you’ll contact him and the two of you will kiss and make up.”
“Mm.”
“This isn’t the first disagreement you ever had,” Bones pointed out.
“I know.”
Bones sighed. “I’m going to go and take a nice hot shower. I promise not to use up the hot water.”
Jim offered his friend a smile. “Thanks. I only wish we could put on dry clothes.”
They’d hung up the clothes they weren’t wearing by the fireplace. Unfortunately the cabin, though having a lot of amenities, a dryer was not one of them.
Bones disappeared down the hall to where the bathroom was and Jim continued to stare into the fire.
But a few minutes later he heard what sounded like a howl. Surely there weren’t any wolves in this area.
Jim waited to hear it again, but nothing.
He was just about to relax again when he heard a screech. He stood up and set the mug down. He went back to the window to look out, but all he could see was blurry rain. There was another flash of lightning and this time the thunder followed almost immediately after.
“Okay, really, get ahold of yourself, Jim,” he told himself out loud. “Just the storm. Storms have weird noises.”
Or a rat. Did the cabin have rats? Although a rat might screech, it wouldn’t howl.
He shook his head and went to the cabin door and opened it to look out at the storm and surrounding area. Another flash and boom.
It was hard to see very far in front of his face as the rain was pouring down harder than he’d seen in years.
“Hello?”
Not that he expected a wolf or other animal to answer him. And he got nothing. Just silence. The rustling in the trees.
Jim took a step back, wishing he had a flashlight or even his phaser.
Then there was another howl, this one sounding like…a ghost. His hair stood on the back of his neck and he rushed back inside, slamming the door shut.
“There’s no such things as ghosts,” he reminded himself.
And really, how did anyone even know what a ghost sounded like? This had been more of an angry moan then a mournful cry. Did ghosts have emotions?
“No, because there aren’t any ghosts,” he reminded himself.
And then the knob of the cabin door rattled.
Jim grabbed a log to use as a weapon, went to the door and wrenched it open.
“Spock!” Jim dropped the log and flung himself into Spock’s arms. Spock’s arms closed around him.
After a moment, Jim pulled back slightly.
“Get in here! You must be soaked and frozen half to death.”
He yanked Spock inside and closed and locked the door.
“Spock, what are you doing here? I thought you went to New Vulcan.”
“I intended to,” Spock admitted. “But I could not let another day go by where we were angry at each other. I apologize.”
“No.” Jim shook his head. “I’m sorry. Let’s get you out of that wet coat.”
He helped Spock remove his heavy raincoat and then once more threw his arms around Spock, holding tight.
“Where is the doctor?”
“Shower. How’d you find us?”
“I surmised when I saw your destroyed camp that you logically sought shelter elsewhere. I searched until I located this cabin.”
“I’m so glad you’re here. I…was a little worried.”
“Worried?”
Jim shook his head and smiled. “That maybe we broke up.”
“Impossible.”
Jim laughed. “Maybe. Did you hear howling by any chance?”
Spock arched a brow. “Howling?”
“Er. Never mind.” Jim kissed him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
This one should be a tad bit spookier than last weeks.
Jim spotted his friend, Leonard “Bones” McCoy standing before a digital bulletin board on Starfleet campus.
“What’s up? Looking for a new roommate?” he joked.
“Well, I’m guessing that’s gonna happen pretty soon, but no. Listen to this.”
Jim smiled. “I’m listening.”
“Over the last few weeks several cadets have gone missing. They are seen one day and the next morning it is as if they have vanished. No trace of them has been found,” Bones read.
“Hmm. Yeah? Does it give any other information?”
Just then Jim felt someone’s hand touch his waist lightly. He glanced over and smiled at Spock.
“Hey you.”
Bones glanced over and barely refrained from rolling his eyes. “I should have known with you here Spock wouldn’t be far behind.”
“What are you saying, doctor?”
“Oh, don’t pay him any mind, Spock. We were just reading about the disappearances of cadets.”
Spock glanced at the board. “These are all cadets staying in the dormitories.”
“Yeah, looks like it.”
“Then it makes sense for you to move in with me now,” Spock said smoothly.
Bones snorted. “And leave me to disappear I suppose?”
Jim laughed. He turned to look at Spock. “Do you really think I should? I mean I figured I would eventually, sure, but we’ve only been official for a couple of weeks.”
“This seems an appropriate time given the recent disappearances.”
“The whole thing sounds weird to me,” Jim said, glancing back at the board. “I wonder if it’s someone’s idea of a Halloween joke.”
“I was unaware of Halloween being a time for jokes,” Spock said.
“Well, a prank.” Jim scooted closer to the board, moving Bones away with his shoulder.
“Don’t mind me. I’m just standing here.”
“Oh shush. See look.” He stabbed at the notice. “All of the cadets have been male with fair hair and blue eyes.”
Bones chortled. “That leaves me out after all.”
“That is alarming,” Spock put in.
“Hardly. This has Gary Mitchell all over it.”
“I do not understand.”
“Gary’s an asshole. Him and his buddy, Finnegan. The two of them get together and decide how to make everyone else miserable. Like my second day here, I walked through this doorway and a bucket of old fish poured all over me from above.” Jim made a face, remembering. “Those two idiots were behind it.” He narrowed his eyes at Bones. “Are you laughing?”
“Of course not, Jim,” Bones assured him.
Jim rolled his eyes. “The point is this thing is specifying “cadets” that sound just like me. I bet if we checked with someone in actual authority no such disappearances are happening.”
Bones frowned. “You could be right. I’ll check into and let you know. But I agree it’s likely those two idiots at it again. Trying to cause a panic or something.”
“Next thing you know they’ll be dressing up as the headless horseman and throwing pumpkin heads at people.” Jim patted Bones’ shoulder. “See you later.”
Bones moved off and Jim turned to Spock, who still looked troubled.
“I still believe it would be prudent for you to move off campus into my apartment,” Spock declared. “You have been spending most nights there anyway.”
“Yeah, that’s true. And for all his grumbling, I really don’t think Bones minds.” He grinned. “Okay sure.”
Spock glanced at the notice. “Are you sure it is a Halloween prank?”
“Not positive but it sounds weirdly specific.”
“Indeed. A bucket of old fish?”
“Yeah and it was really gross.”
“I will have to make myself acquainted with Mitchell and Finnegan,” Spock said, rather ominously as they walked away from the bulletin board.
Jim opened his mouth to tell Spock he didn’t really need to defend his honor, if that was the intention, but then he remembered standing there covered in smelly fish, humiliated beyond belief as the two idiots cackled like maniacs. He smiled to himself and began to plan his move to Spock’s apartment.
We start this month out with Fall/Autumn stories. No Spooky with this one!
Jim had just stepped outside the house, carrying a large uncarved pumpkin, when the hover car pulled up next to the cobblestone pathway his mother had put in some years ago.
He continued over to where he had decided to place the pumpkin even as he was aware of the tall, thin Vulcan getting out of the hover car.
“Captain.”
He crouched down and placed the pumpkin on the ground. “Jim. I’m definitely not on duty.”
“You are not answering your communicator,” Spock said, a clear reprimand in his tone.
“That’s right.”
“May I ask why?”
Jim straightened and stood. He walked backward to admire his handiwork on the Autumn décor.
“I’m not required to. Regulation 2465, Part A. If officer has been relieved of duty while under investigation they are not—”
“I know what the regulations say,” Spock interrupted.
Jim smiled faintly. “You probably wrote some of them.”
“Your being relieved of duty is temporary,” Spock pointed out. “And can be rescinded at any time. How would you know if you ignore attempts to contact you?”
“I figure they’d send a representative from Starfleet if that were the case.” He eyed Spock. “Is that the case?”
Spock shook his head. “That is not the purpose of my visit.”
“Ah.” Jim nodded, then shrugged. “Okay. So we’re back to I’m perfectly within my legal right not to respond. I was suspended for six months, Spock. I’m barely half a month into that suspension.”
“You are surely aware that you will not be suspended for those entire six months.”
“I am not aware and don’t call me Shirley,” Jim said with a laugh. And when that was met with a blank look, Jim laughed more. “Never mind. What do you want, Spock? And why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be acting captain?”
“I refused the position.”
Jim frowned. “It needs more pumpkins. And maybe some other gourds. Hang on.” He took out his personal communicator. He’d also ignored messages from friends on that too. His Starfleet one was up in his room, stuffed into his desk. He tapped out a message, closed it, and repocketed it. “Why? If you did, who is acting captain?”
“William Decker was brought on board upon my refusal.”
“Decker? Hmm. I guess he’ll do fine.”
“If you have concerns, you can fight the suspension and be reinstated sooner.”
Jim laughed. “I have no concerns, Spock. And I don’t regret my actions during that battle. Ten thousand lives were saved. That matters to me, even if it doesn’t to them.”
“I agree you did nothing wrong, but regulations—”
“I’m really not having this discussion with you. I haven’t been in Riverside for Fall since I was a kid. I intend to make the best of it.” He sighed. Looked up at the gathering clouds. “Want to go inside?”
Spock paused for a moment, looking slightly pained, and then said, “Yes.”
Jim led the Vulcan into the house, turning lights on from old-fashioned switches as he did.
“It’s nice to be back with no signs or ghosts of Frank,” he commented.
“Your stepfather.”
“Yeah. Dead and buried now. Thank God. And that might sound harsh, but I don’t care.” Jim went into the kitchen and poured himself coffee from the carafe sitting on the coffeemaker. “You can replicate yourself tea over there by the wall if you want. Or I think there’s a tea kettle around here.”
Spock went to the replicator and had it make him tea.
Jim added cream to his coffee and then leaned against the counter to observe Spock.
“There was a rumor she did him in.”
Spock arched a brow. “Who?”
“Mom.” He shrugged. “It was officially ruled a heart attack but I don’t think anyone really believes that. It wasn’t investigated too closely because he was a rotten Human Being. Terrible abuser of me and my brother, and mom.”
“You are serious?”
“About my mom? Yeah, maybe. I mean she’s never said, but who knows. I thought about it myself a dozen times.”
“Where is she now?”
“In the city, getting us some supplies. She’s living here full time now that she retired from Starfleet. And madder than a hornet about my suspension.” He grinned.
“I have taken a leave,” Spock announced then.
“What for?”
“I told you before I have no desire to serve aboard the Enterprise without you.”
Jim sighed. “I broke things off so my actions wouldn’t interfere with your career, Spock.”
“I don’t consider things ‘broken off’,” Spock said with a hint of a sneer. “I do not agree to end our relationship.”
“I said I wouldn’t bond with you.”
“I am aware of what you said and when all of this has been settled we will revisit that.”
Jim set his coffee cup down and went to Spock, who immediately pulled him into his arms. He could feel Spock trembling slightly as he held onto Jim.
“I didn’t want to wreck your Starfleet career,” Jim said into Spock’s chest.
“I do not think either of our careers will be wrecked, but if they are, then they are wrecked together.”
Jim laughed and pulled back to look at Spock. “You’re nuts.”
“I surmised that when I first realized I was in love with you.”
“Wait, is that a joke? Who knew you could tell jokes?” He kissed Spock. “I love you. That’s never going to change.”
“Just as my feelings will stay the same for you. Jim, we are together. And that means together in everything.”
“But my decisions shouldn’t harm you.”
“They did not. I agree with your actions.”
“Despite regulations?”
“Yes. And I believe ten thousand people also agree with your actions.”
“How long is your leave?”
“I specified that it would be as long as your suspension whether that is the six months conveyed or if it shortened when they conclude the investigation in your favor.”
“They might not.”
“They will.” Spock kissed him this time. “In the meantime, I have arrived with belongings that are still in the hover car and if you and your mother are amenable, I will spend my leave here with you.”
“Oh, I’m very amenable.”
Just then the back door opened and his mother came in.
“I got your gourds but you have to get them out of the car. Oh. Hi, Spock.” She smiled. “It’s lovely to see you.”
“I am pleased to see you as well.”
Jim wasn’t surprised at all when his mother came to Spock and hugged him, and Spock allowed it.
“Jim told me that you and he weren’t—”
“Jim was wrong,” Spock said coolly.
His mom laughed. “And that’s exactly what I figured. I’m so relieved you’re here. You’re staying of course.”
“Of course.”
“It would serve them right if they lost both of you. Old men assholes.” She sniffed. “I have groceries and gourds in the car. Firewood, too. You boys can go bring them in for me.”
Jim smiled at Spock. “Shall we?”
Spock took his hand and they went out to unload everything together.
And yeah, in reality, Jim knew they would rule in his favor, but he intended to spend as much time with his mom and Spock like this as long as he could.
And here is the last September flash. A bit of a twist on the Academy. Next Friday will be October 03, 2025 so we will be in Halloween/Fall mode.
“Are there any questions?” Spock asked as he shut down the overhead screen in his classroom and turned to face the cadets in his class.
A hand went up in the middle of the second row.
“Cadet Lewis, you have a question?”
She brightened. “Is it true you used to date Captain Kirk?”
There were several audible snickers.
Spock barely held back his sigh.
“Any questions pertaining to the actual content of today’s lesson?”
No hands went up.
“Dismissed.”
As the cadets began to file out of the classroom, he noticed a few spotted the man sitting in the shadows at the top of the stadium style seating, but they didn’t seem to recognize him, though he did earn a few curious glances.
When the cadets were gone, the man stood up and walked toward Spock.
“Used to, huh?” Jim chuckled.
“I suppose it is sort of true,” Spock replied. “We no longer ‘date’ since we are mates.”
“We went to a nice dinner last night, doesn’t that count as a date?” Jim leaned over and gave Spock a quick kiss.
The door of the classroom opened and Cadet Lewis came hurrying back in.
“Sorry, Professor, I think I dropped my lipstick…” She stopped in her tracks, eyes wide as she stared at them. “S-sir.”
Jim smiled. “Cadet Lewis.”
She scrambled over to where she’d been sitting, bent down and retrieved her lipstick. She straightened.
“So it is true!” she exclaimed. “But you still are dating, aren’t you?”
“Cadet—” Spock began.
“Commander Spock is my husband,” Jim explained.
“Oh wow! Wait until I tell Margery!”
Jim laughed.
Lewis blushed. “Congratulations, Captain, Commander.”
“Thanks. You’d better be on your way, Cadet. I have Starfleet business to discuss with your professor.”
“Yes, of course.” She hurried from the classroom.
“What Starfleet business?” Spock asked.
“Ship repairs will be completed by the end of the week, so your temporary teaching assignment concludes then too.”
Spock nodded. “I cannot say I am sorry to hear it. Though if you take an eventual promotion to admiral, I might consider returning to teach at the Academy.”
“You don’t want to command a starship?”
“I have no desire to serve on a ship you are not on,” Spock stated simply.
Jim reached over and squeezed his hand. Then he glanced around. “Boy, this all brings back memories.”
“Fond ones?”
Jim grinned. “Well, my fondest are in what used to be your office when you slammed me down on your desk and—”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 