April Flashes

Flash Fic, April 20, 2020

The door slammed shut behind Jim making him wince. He didn’t miss the way Spock’s back stiffened around the shoulders.

“Uh, sorry. Didn’t know it was going to do that.” He sidled up beside Spock, who was looking out at the yard, though Jim wasn’t really sure what there was to look at. Nothing but dirt for miles.

This place was…desolate to say the least. And the sooner they could get off this wreck of a planet and back up to the Enterprise, the better.

“You…okay?”

“Of course, Captain.”

Whenever Spock used that snooty tone, well, Jim was torn between two things. Being turned on, okay, well, with Spock there was always an element of that, and knowing he was in big fat trouble.

“What they said in there.”

“Is this when you tell me they didn’t mean it?” Spock’s voice was as cold as a glacier.

“No. They meant it. And it was cruel and nasty and unacceptable. I won’t tolerate xenophobia or their disrespect to you.”

Spock turned to look at him. “Captain…”

Jim shook his head. “Every one of them is going to have a mark on their record. If we get out of this.”

“We will get out of this.”

He smiled a little. “I know. And the first Space Station we can reach, I’m getting rid of Hanson. I’ve already told him.”

“The appearance of…”

“This has nothing to do with our personal relationship, Spock. You’re my first officer as well as my science officer. A brilliant member of Starfleet. You deserve respect and nothing less.”

“Very well.”

Jim put his hand on Spock’s arm. “And this is coming from me…Jim. The guy who is crazy in love with you. I’m really sorry they said that shit to you and hurt you. I really want to kick their asses.”

Spock’s lips turned upward just a bit. “T’hy’la.”

“No, I mean it. Fuckers. I wish I could take every one of them out. But I can’t.”

Spock nodded. “I know.”

“When we get home, I want to wrap myself around you and hold you forever.” He paused. “Or at least until we have to go on shift.”

“I would like that very much,” Spock said softly. “I am used to behavior such as theirs.”

“I know. And I hate that you have to be used to it.” Jim put his hand on Spock’s face. “Let’s get to work. I can’t wait to get off this rock.”

“Agreed, Captain.”

And they turned to go back into the shack to figure out how to return to the Enterprise.

April 20, 2020

Flash Fic, 04/17/2020

Leonard had lost track of Jim in all the preparations and ceremonial crap and when he found him, he almost wished he hadn’t. Jim looked a wreck. So much so that Leonard was worried about him, seriously worried, not his ordinary worry.

Jim leaned against glass, his gaze rather vacant, his color a cross between too pale and too blotchy. If Leonard could measure stress levels, Jim’s would be off the charts.

“There you are,” he said in the gentle tone he used when talking to particularly infirm patients. Jim was not that and yet, it seemed appropriate.

Jim gave him the old Academy try with a ghost of a smile, but it was almost sickeningly ghastly. “Here I am.”

“You okay?”

“Have you ever faced the complete death of all your dreams and fantasies, Bones?”

He hesitated. “I’m not really sure.”

“If you had, you’d know.”

Leonard moved closer. “Is that what you have done?”

Jim didn’t respond, just gave him a rather vacant stare.

Leonard glanced in the direction he’d come from. “They’re…getting ready to start. They’re expecting you.”

Jim nodded. “I know. And I’m making myself move. I am. It’s just…when there was hope there was…now it’s nothing.”

“Jim…”

Jim straightened suddenly, quickly. His color was still way too weird and his smile almost just as ghastly, but he would have been convincing to anyone who didn’t know him as well as Leonard did. He looked pretty good in his dress uniform, even with his off appearance.

“Bones, I’m going to ask you for a really strange favor.”

“Anything.”

“Help me walk out there. I don’t think I can make it without assistance.”

Leonard linked his arm with Jim’s as though it was the most natural thing in the world and they walked out together, standing with the others as they observed Spock and Uhura standing in front of a high priestess. Leonard saw Spock glance quite briefly in Jim’s direction, but Jim didn’t look his way, not at all, just looked straight ahead.

Later, when it was all over, Jim looked at Leonard. “Well. That’s over. Where’s Scotty? I need the biggest damn drink I think I’ve ever had.”

“Yeah,” Leonard agreed. “Me too.”

And they found Scotty and with him was Keenser and Jaylah. Leonard was only a little surprised when Jaylah came to Jim and hugged him with a softly whispered, “James T.”

Jim squeezed her back and then with smile firmly in place, declared, “Let’s go party.”

They had just turned the corner when Jim bumped into a blonde woman coming the other way. For a moment they both pivoted and then stood upright.

“Carol,” Jim exclaimed.

“Jim!” She glanced at the others, smiling brightly. “Hello everyone.”

“This is a great surprise,” Jim said. “We haven’t seen you since you

“Stupidly left the Enterprise just after the first year of the five-year mission.” She laughed. “Yes, I know.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’ve got a science symposium here. And you’re here…” Her brows furrowed in confusion, then cleared. “Oh. Yes. Of course. The bonding. Sorry I missed it.”

“It was very nice,” Jim said, convincingly. “We’re going for a celebratory drink. Care to join us? You know Bones, Scotty, and Keenser. And this is Jaylah.”

Carol smiled. “How do you do. And I’d love to join you.” Her smile got brighter still as she hooked her arm through Jim’s and Jim’s smile brightened too.

Leonard wasn’t sure that was a good idea, but considering everything, he couldn’t really fault Jim for going there. Not at all. So he fell into step with the others and lent his support. As always.

April 17, 2020

Flash Fic, 04/15/2020

“Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

Jim Kirk eyed his best friend over the sugared rim of his fancy drink. They were enjoying a rare reprieve from final exams at Academy at a little bit of a froufrou bar some distance away from the campus. By choice. He smiled wryly. “You’re in a good mood.”

Leonard “Bones” McCoy snorted. “And divorce. I forgot that.”

“Now you’re just being petulant.”

“Well.” Bones shrugged. “That last test kicked my ass.”

“So you’re testy,” Jim cracked.

“Do me a favor and don’t become a standup comedian.”

“As if.” Jim put his hand over his chest. “Still. You wound me.”

“You’ll live. I’m surprised you’re here hanging out with me and listening to me bellyache. Surely you have a date with your mystery man.”

“Nah, he’s busy.”

“Yeah? He taking tests too?”

Jim smiled. “Yeah, it’s test-related.”

“Hmm. Just wondering when I’m going to find out who lover boy is.”

Jim chuckled. “Believe me that does NOT apply.”

“Still you’ve been seeing him for weeks and keeping it a secret. Ugly?”

“No.” Jim took a sip of his chocolate hazelnut martini.

“Married?”

“Don’t think so.”

“Then why the secrecy?”

“Don’t want to jinx it. I don’t have the best track record, Bones. And he’s…shy.”

“Well I…” Bones stopped speaking as the door of the bar opened and in walked a tall, elegant Vulcan dressed in an all black professor’s uniform. “Oh well that just killed the mood.”

“You were in a bad mood anyway. What’s your objection to…Spock!”

“Don’t call him over here,” Bones said hotly.

“Over here!”

Spock noticed Jim, nodded, and headed in their direction.

Bones stared at him. “Oh for…shy? You gotta be kidding me.”

Jim ignored Bones and gave Spock a blinding smile. “All done?”

“Indeed. Doctor.”

Bones muttered and gestured to the bartender. “Another. And make it a double.”

April 15, 2020

Flash Fic April 13, 2020

Spock stared at the chess board, surprised to find that the captain had just checkmated him. It wasn’t altogether unheard, of course. The first time they had played, so long ago now, Kirk had beaten him. His methods were unconventional and hard to decipher enough to analyze a pattern. Sometimes it seemed he came out the winner by sheer force of will. Since then, however, more times than not, Spock won.

And he had expected to win this time as well.

His captain seemed…odd. Well, more so than usual. And certainly distracted. But perhaps it was Spock who had found himself distracted.

“Captain.”

Kirk glanced at him, a question in his eyes.

“I wish to know the nature of your inquiry.”

“Oh.” Kirk shrugged. “Nothing, really. Just, um, guess I wanted to be sure you were all right. That was a difficult mission. Sarpeidon was…”

“A planet doomed to destruction. Yes. And Zarabeth doomed with it.”

“Right. But if you had feelings for her…well. I’m sorry. I guess, I’m thinking myself of my own…” Kirk shook his head. “Not shortcomings exactly.”

“Shortcomings, Captain?”

“When the Rigellian Fever hit the ship and Rayna…never mind. Our situations were dissimilar. Except I thought I felt love for her and…”

“You did not?” Spock asked.

Kirk shook his head, smiling faintly. “In just a few short hours? I was not myself. The situation the crew found itself in. And certain stirrings within me that came from a different source. It doesn’t matter. I acted foolishly and should have concentrated on the mission and not hormones.”

“I see.”

“And really, Mr. Spock. I don’t mean any of that to sound like a reprimand for you. I guess this whole thing just has me thinking of my own actions. Maybe that’s why I keep thinking of you and Zarabeth.”

“Captain, though I did feel love for Zarabeth while on Sarpeidon, it did not last. It was the circumstances in which I found myself in, the atmosphere. The changes I went through in that time period. Once I came back aboard the Enterprise, that love, those feelings, were gone.”

“So.” Kirk nodded. “You don’t wish you had stayed behind with her?”

“I do not. My place is here.” Spock did not add ‘with you’. But he thought it.

“And…what if…was there a possibility of a child?” The Captain wouldn’t look at him. Spock wasn’t quite sure why.

“There is very little likelihood of that. All indications are that I am sterile and even were I not, any child created with Zarabeth is long deceased.”

Kirk’s gaze met his then but what was behind those hazel eyes, Spock could not tell.

“Another game, Mr. Spock?”

Since he had no real desire to quit the captain’s company and return to the loneliness to be found in his own quarters, Spock replied, “Yes, that would be agreeable.”

April 13, 2020

Flash Fic, 04/10/2020

Decided to go with something a little different. This will likely be a letter Jim will write to his mother in part of a future chapter of Our So-Called Life. So this is a flashy snippet, if you will.

Dear Mama

I hope this correspondence finds you well.

I apologize for the tardiness of my reply. And for the rather formal tone of this message. I find that I am experiencing, perhaps, unwilling influence by the company I have been keeping of late.

In all seriousness and fairness, I am getting along well with Spock and his family here on Vulcan. All Vulcans have treated me fairly and kindly although impersonally in my interactions with them. I believe they find me…fascinating…in their own way. A bit of a curiosity.

It’s hot here. I mean really hot. But I am okay as long as I have my breathing shots and stuff like that. And my personal bedroom is kept cool to my liking. The food is rather bland for the most part, though Spock’s mother has made an occasional Earth treat for the two of us.

As for the school here, I am adapting well, and can keep up with my classmates admirably. That’s a direct quote from a certain someone. My days are filled with study and learning Vulcan. Apparently that is required of me.

My nights are spent playing chess, reading, and playing Earth board games with my hosts. I beat them every time. I swear I am not bragging.

It’s not as terrible as I thought it would be. But I am rather bored much of the time. They just don’t like to do much here. I once asked Spock if he’d like to go out and play catch with me. He looked at me quite perplexed and said, “Catch what?”

I have not tried since.

I will write more often. But for now, Spock’s mother is setting up Scrabble. She made Vulcan cookies. I have not yet found out if they are a bland form of cookies Vulcans enjoy or cookies shaped like Vulcans. Are you smiling? I will let you know.

Your son, Jim

April 10, 2020

Flash Fic, 04/08/2020

It was unlike Spock to be late, though he had tried everything he could not to be, but it hadn’t been able to be helped, and so, consequently, as he rushed home, his anxiety level had, as his husband would say, skyrocketed.

San Francisco had decided to pour rain on his journey home, which only soured Spock’s mood as he made his way, on foot, to the apartment building where the apartment he shared with Jim could be found.

He used hand recognition to access the front doors of the building and then scurried over to the stairs rather than the lift.

When he reached the floor where the apartment was, the fifth, it was as he feared. Jim was stepping out the door, luggage bag clutched in his hands. He turned to look at Spock as Spock approached.

“Thought you weren’t going to make it,” Jim admitted.

“I almost didn’t. One moment.” Spock brushed past Jim and into their apartment, rushing into the bedroom to seize his already packed bag. He returned to Jim, waiting in the hallway.

“You could have caught the next shuttle,” Jim told him. “I left a note. It’s just I had to—”

“Leave, yes. I know. I prefer we travel together.” Spock pursed his lips, trying to keep a most illogical emotional outburst from happening.

“You okay?”

“Affirmative. I just…I prefer we spent all our time together.”

Jim smiled and touched his fingers to Spock’s. “Me too, honey. You ready?”

Feeling illogically relieved Jim had not departed without him, Spock fell into step beside him. Their shoulders touched as they walked in sync.

April 8, 2020

Flash Fic, 04/01/2020

“And then I…”

“Help! Help!” Chekov cried, rushing into the medbay.

Jim turned around from talking to Bones to stare at Chekov in shock. “Ensign, what—?”

“He iz crazy, Keptin. Help me.”

“Who? What the hell?”

“Mister Spock! He Is going to kill me.”

Jim laughed. “Spock is not going to kill you.”

Chekov grabbed for Bones. “Doktor. He is running after me, hide me.”

“Now see here, Chekov, what is this all about?” Bones asked reasonably.

“There is no time to explain!”

“Ensign, explain yourself now. That’s an order.”

Chekov straightened and looked over his shoulder at the door. “It was a little prank, sir.”

Jim frowned. “A prank?”

“Ya. April Fools. I tell to the Kommander that you and the Doktor are inwolved in an affair as a little joke.”

“What?” Bones demanded. “Me and him? I may throw up.”

“Bones,” Jim said sharply. “But that’s just what I was about to tell you before Chekov ran in here. I’m pretty sure Spock’s going into his time and is entirely irrational.”

“What?”

Chekov’s eyes were huge. “Yes! This is vhat I am telling you. He iz trying to kill—”

The medbay doors exploded open and Spock stormed in, looking darkly menacing. He took a step toward Chekov, who squealed and dashed behind Jim and Bones.

Jim held out his hands. “Now, Spock, it was…”

But Spock charged toward them, not to Chekov, but to Bones. And his hands were outstretched toward McCoy’s neck.

“Spock! No!” Jim exclaimed, trying to grab onto his husband and first officer. But Spock swatted him as though he was just a fly, sending him flying into the bulkhead. For a moment, Jim was dazed, and he heard Chekov squealing in terror.

“Stop it, Spock! You’re not in your right mind,” Bones tried, just as Jim saw Spock’s hands wrap around Bones’ throat.

“No! Kommander! Stop. You vill kill him!”

“You think to steal him from me,” Spock roared.

“Spock!” Jim scrambled to his feet and rushed at Spock. “Stop it.”

Just then Bones fell limp to the ground. His mouth hung open and his eyes bulged wide. Jim knelt down beside him.

“Bones! Bones! Damn it. Spock, you’ve killed him.”

“Oh no!” Chekov cried. “It was…it was a joke. Just a little joke.”

Spock suddenly straightened and stared blankly at Chekov. “Very little, Ensign.”

Chekov blinked. “What?”

Jim burst out laughing. “April Fool’s, Pavel.”

“What?”

Bones pulled his tongue back into his mouth and sat up, cackling. “That was too good! Lord, you shoulda seen your face, Chekov.”

“A joke?” Chekov shook his head. “You vere in on it, Mister Spock?”

“Obviously. And frankly with what you tried to pull, you deserved it,” Spock said, simply. He reached down and hauled Jim to his feet.

“Hey! What about me? I’m the one you strangled,” Bones grumbled, getting to his feet himself.

“Are you all right?”

“Well, I…”

“Captain.”

Bones scowled.

Jim grinned. “Well you did kind of toss me into the wall pretty hard. Lost my breath for a second.”

“I will make sure you get it back later,” Spock murmured.

Jim stepped closer.

“Okay, that’s it, out of my medbay. It’s April Fools, not Valentine’s Day. Everybody out.”

“Bridge. Mr. Spock?”

“Indeed, Captain.”

“A joke,” Chekov muttered. “I thought he killed the doctor and it vas a joke.”

April 1, 2020

Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

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