Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Tag: Christmas in July

  • Christmas in July, Flash Fic July 15, 2022

    Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

    “My T’hy’la is here.” Spock made the announcement as he and his friend, Nyota Uhura, stepped through the doors of Starfleet Academy’s Auditorium.

    It was currently set up to look like a Winter Wonderland even though it was 35 degrees Celsius outside. Silvery crystal snowflakes hung from the ceiling. In the corner, students could have their photo taken with the Abominable Snowman. Christmas cookies and peppermint mochas were for sale.   

    “What?”

    “I feel him. He is here.”

    She glanced at him. “Are you sure, Spock? I’m pretty certain he left for the summer.”

    “I am positive.” Spock stopped to glance around the crowded place.

    “Even if he is, are you sure you should seek him out? Things did not end well between you last time and—”

    “Hello, Spock. Uhura.”

    Jim Kirk had suddenly appeared out of seemingly nowhere, though Spock had known he was there. He was dressed from head to toe in some silver and white costume with a crystal crown upon his head.

    “What are you supposed to be?” Nyota asked.

    “I’m the Snow King for the festival.”

    Nyota looked at Spock, then touched the arm of his sleeve. “I’ll, uh, be over there getting some spiked egg nog.”

    Jim’s gaze followed her before those eyes blue as the ice that seemed to surround them returned to Spock.

    “Well?”

    “I…I didn’t expect to see you here.”

    “I bet.”

    “We had heard you left San Francisco for the summer.”

    “We?”

    “You have to know she is nothing to me.”

    Jim winced. “Ouch.”

    “You know what I mean. She is a friend only. You are my everything. And I have…it is unbearable without you.”

    Jim smirked. “Unbearable is nice.”

    “Jim,” was Spock’s plea.

    Jim sighed. “I’m not sure you’ve groveled near enough, but, I’m a sucker for that face. And that body. And those lips. And—”

    “I am a sucker for you also.”    

    Jim laughed. Grabbed Spock’s hand and pulled him along. “Come, you can be my consort.”

  • Christmas in July, Flash Fic July 14, 2022

    An extra!

    Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA on Pexels.com

    A hundred years ago I wrote a hurt/comfort story called By His Side. It had everything. Jim severely injured, Gary plotting, a devoted Spock, Spock got poisoned, Jim beat Gary, and in the end they lived quite happily ever after.

    I wrote By His Side in 2015.

    I thought it might be fun to check in with these two.

    Merry Christmas.

    “I never thought I’d ever be able to have this.”

    Spock gazed upon the tiny infant in the bassinet between them on their bed. Then he glanced at his husband and mate.

    “It took a bit of planning but he is beautiful.”

    “Best Christmas present ever,” Jim declared.

    Spock blinked. “Jim, perhaps the heat is getting to you, my adorable one, but it is July not the month of December.”

    Jim laughed. “I know, sugar. But way back in December we started planning for him.” He paused. “Actually the previous Christmas. Don’t you remember? I put baby booties in your stocking to see how you’d react.”

    “It was most puzzling.”

    “Then we talked and talked and this past Christmas we started the adoption process. It just took this long for us to finally have him.” Jim reached down to pick up their son.

    “Jim, he will never rest if you constantly pick him up to hold him.”

    “He can fall asleep in my arms.”

    “Mm.”

    “Does he look like you or me?”

    “Since neither of us share DNA with him, he looks like his biological parents.”

    Jim sighed and nodded. “I’m sorry they had to die on that ship explosion for us to get him.”

    Spock touched Jim’s hand. “I know you think about the loss of your own father in such circumstances.”

    “Yeah. Anyway, can we call him George Sarek?”

    “Or perhaps Sarek George,” Sarek said from the doorway of their bedroom.

    “Father, I thought you were not arriving for another few hours.”

    “I took an early shuttle to see my grandson.” Sarek smoothly stole the child out of Jim’s arms.

    Jim didn’t mind.

    Jim put his arm around Spock and leaned in to kiss him. “So, you know, Merry Christmas in July. For our best present ever.”

    “Indeed.”

    “And thank you. For being here, with me.” Jim paused. “By my side.”

    Spock’s eyes sparkled. “Always.”

    Photo by Josh Willink on Pexels.com

  • Christmas in July Flash, July 13, 2022

    I said I’d do a flash for CIJ on the couple from Aftermath. So here they are. Living a quite happy life I think.

    After getting out of bed and seeing to my morning routine, I expected to find my husband in the kitchen preparing our breakfast as he had been doing close to fifteen years now.

    But when I came downstairs there was no sign of Spock. I frowned and went into the kitchen looking for evidence he had at least been there. He’d made me a pot of coffee and I spotted a discarded tea bag in the trash.

    “Spock? Babe?”

    There was no response and with a push at our bond, I decided Spock wasn’t in the house or even anywhere on the farm.

    Strange.

    He hadn’t told me he had any plans which wasn’t like Spock.  

    I had learned over the years since I had finally agreed to bond with Spock, a good five years into our ordinary Earth marriage, that if Spock were too far away I could only get a sense that he was alive and well and not much more.

    With a shrug, I poured myself coffee and then took it out to the front porch to sit and wait to see what my husband might be up to. We’d added cushioned lawn chairs there a few years back.

    It was July and already too warm to sit there for long. But I couldn’t deny my curiosity.

    It wasn’t like I could contact him on a communicator as we’d given up our Federation devices when we left Starfleet back after the fiasco where they accused me of things I’d never do.

    Eventually, I spotted our hover car heading down the dirt road toward the farm, and I relaxed. Not that I really was that concerned. Spock could take care of himself better than anyone I knew and I knew he would never ever leave my side willingly.

    Still it was nice to be right and nice to feel that relief at his return.

    “Jim,” he greeted me as he stopped the hover car. “You are up a little earlier than I anticipated.”

    “It’s after ten. How long did you think I’d sleep?”

    “We were up late with…activities.”

    I chuckled. “Sex, Spock. It’s just me, you can use plain language. And you were up just as late as me.”

    “True.”

    “Where’d you go?”

    “To get a tree.” Spock paused. “Not very easy this time of year.”

    “A tree? You mean to plant? Did you go to the garden center?”

    “No.” Spock went to the back of the hover car. He opened the trunk and reached in. In a moment he pulled out about a five-foot pine tree in a pot.

    I rose and shielded my eyes from the sun. “Is that…it looks like a Christmas tree.”

    “Indeed.”

    “Uh.”

    Spock shrugged as he carried it toward their house. “I thought…once…some years back during a meld you shared with me a time where your family had celebrated Christmas in July.”

    I smiled faintly. “Wasn’t that an afterglow meld?”

    “Yes.”

    I thought about it. It had been grandma’s idea. My dad’s mom. We were staying with her that summer, Sam and me, because Mom had just gotten married to the idiot and they were on their honeymoon. Which thinking about that part of it made me want to gag but you know.

    I nodded. “Okay. But babe, wasn’t that meld like, I don’t know five years ago?”

    “It was. But neither of us are getting any younger and I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

    “Are you saying we won’t make it until real Christmas?”

    “I certainly am not saying that.”

    I snorted and hugged him, kissing his cheek. “I’m teasing. You’re too cute. You just want to keep me on my toes.”

    “I simply intend to make every day, every year of our lives together as memorable and loving as I can,” Spock said, simply. “I still have a lot of mistakes to make up for.”

    “Spock, babe, I don’t—”

    “Please.”

    I kissed him. ”I love you.”

    “Then help me decorate our Christmas in July tree.”

    I laughed and hugged him again. “You’re on!”

  • Christmas in July, July 08, 2022 Flash

    I got a suggestion to use the Jim and Spock from First Impressions.

    Jim stood in front the mirror trying to decide if he liked the way he looked.

    “What do you think?”

    “Hmm?”

    Jim glanced at Spock via the mirror. His husband was sitting at a terminal in their quarters doing God knew what. Reports probably.

    Jim smiled faintly, his memory going back several years now.

    “Green or red?”

    Spock turned around from preparing tea in the kitchen of their apartment. He blinked several times at Jim.

    Well, Jim really couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t every day your boyfriend was dressed like a Christmas elf.

    “I beg your pardon?”

    Jim smiled. “You can beg me later.”

    “Jim—”

    “I know, I know. It’s July, right?”

    “It is. You also have green knee trousers on with a red…I confess I am at a loss as to what you are wearing on your upper torso is called.”

    “Doublet, I think. Like what royalty would wear in ancient Earth days or whatever. That’s what it reminds me of. But anyway, it’s for the elf costume. That’s why I am wondering. Green elf or red elf?”

    “You are as inexplicable as ever.”

    Jim laughed. “Now that’s a compliment I can get behind.”

    “It is not…Jim, why are you wearing that?”

    “The hospital is doing Christmas in July for the sick kids. I promised to dress up like an elf.” Jim shrugged. “It’s fun for them.”

    “And you too, I would say.” Spock considered. “I would say green.”

    “I do look good with green all over and in me.” Jim grinned.

    Spock gave him a stern look. “Red. Go as a red elf.”

    “How does this stupid uniform look?” Jim asked, in the present. He wrinkled his nose.

    “Being promoted to admiral is not stupid.”

    “Come on. First impression.”

    That got Spock’s attention and he looked up at once.

    “You are…as always…breathtaking.”

    Jim snorted. “You didn’t always think so.”

    Spock got up from behind the desk and went to where Jim stood, pulling him into his arms.

    “That is where you are wrong, T’hy’la. From the very beginning I have acknowledged how absolutely stunning you are.”

    “You just thought I was a shit.”

    “I never thought that. Such a term is not in my vocabulary.”

    “Well. You think it looks all right?”

    “You look like a highly regarded, decorated officer who has earned his promotion to admiral.”

    “Right, sure.” Jim sighed. “Why do I feel like a fake then?”

    “You are not. And I am…in awe of the man you are.”

    “You’re going to make me cry.” Jim kissed him.

    Spock looked up at Jim’s fingers raised above them. “Mistletoe, Admiral?”

    “Merry Christmas in July, honey.”

    Spock shook his head but drew Jim back into another kiss. “Let us see what you look like out of this uniform.”

    “Now you’re talking!”

  • Christmas in July, Flash Fic July 06,2022

    “City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday green, in the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.”

    “It’s ninety-five degrees, genius.”

    Jim smiled and winked at Bones. “Not in here it isn’t. I have the AC set to meat locker.”

    Bones snorted. “It might make it freezing in here but it actually won’t snow.” He paused. “Or even form ice crystals.”

    Jim shrugged. “Jury’s still out on that one.”

    “Anyway, you’re singing it wrong,” his best friend informed him.

    Jim sipped from his frosty peppermint mocha shake. “I am?”

    “It’s… City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style.”

    “Style? Well, that’s stupid.”

    “I sure as hell didn’t write it so don’t look at me. It’s to rhyme style with smile from the next line.”

    Jim shook his head. “Strings of streetlights, even stop lights, blink a bright red and green, as the shoppers rush home with their treasures.”

    “It’s a dumbass song,” Bones muttered. “Why the Christmas stuff anyway. Frozen apartment, dumbass song, and peppermint drinks. And I’m pretty sure I saw mistletoe in the doorway of your bedroom.”

    “I’m doing Christmas in July with Spock.”

    “Spock know this?”

    “He will soon enough. He’s not going to be around for real Christmas since Pike’s taking him out on an exploratory mission for like six months beginning in October to get his feet wet.”

    “A Vulcan with wet feet. Wet behind the ears more likely.”

    Jim gave him a look. “Shut up, will ya? Since Christmas in July’s a thing—”

    “Who says it’s a thing?”

    “I just did, didn’t you hear me?”

    “Loud and clear unfortunately.”

    “May I remind you that you actually asked.”

    “You going to be okay all by yourself?”

    Jim scowled. “I’m a mature adult. I can handle my boyfriend being gone a few months.”

    Bones nodded, sagely. “Course. Since I’m sure you’re expecting the unfortunate object of your July Christmasy celebration at any time, I’m going to beat it.”

    “Thank God. I thought you’d never leave.” Jim grinned.

    Bones flipped him off and opened the door of the apartment.

    Standing there was Spock who arched a brow at Bones’ uncouth display.

    “Charming as ever I see, Doctor.”

    Bones grumbled something, scooted past Spock and down the hallway.

    Jim seized hold of Spock’s arm and pulled him inside.

    “Jim, I know it is hot out, but do you not think you have the air conditioning turned up too high?”

    “Merry Christmas!” Jim kissed him.

    “Christmas?”

    “Yep. There are chocolate thumb print cookies in the oven.”

    “I-I see. Then we are…having a night in.”

    Jim laughed. “Most definitely. Come here and unwrap me. I’m your present.”

  • Christmas in July Flash, July 01, 2022

    And so it begins. Wednesdays and Fridays all month. Enjoy!

    PS. I know it’s Jay’s birthday but I am sorry to say I just didn’t have time to get a separate fic written, my apologies. Looks like Over Time will be finished in early August, anyway. Happy Birthday Jay!

    “This is the first day.”

    Jim did not look up from his PADD when Vanik spoke. Jim was sitting in the office area of the apartment he shared with Spock studying for a really important test. He vaguely wondered how Vanik got there. He hadn’t let him in and Spock wasn’t there. He did not need to deal with the pest just then.

    “First day of what?” he asked absently.

    “Christmas in July.”

    Now Jim did look up. “Excuse me?”

    “It’s July the first.”

    “Right. Uh. Vanik. Wait, how’d you get in?” He shook his head. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Because then I will be forced to tell Spock.”

    “When do the celebrations begin?”

    “Celebrations? Look. That’s not really how it works. It’s not really until July the twenty-fourth or so. You know around the real time for Christmas and Christmas Eve five months later. It’s just sort of a wow, it’s only five months until Christmas thing. It’s now less than half a year. It began in a summer camp in 1933. They had fake snow and trees and Santa even.”

    Vanik nodded. “Correct. But over the many years since others have expanded on the time to celebrate ‘Christmas in July’. I would like us to be one of them. If you will recall we did something last year.”

    “Did we? Well, even if we did, Vanik, I just don’t have time right now. Maybe later in the month, but I have this big test.”

    “I am certain you will ace it as usual, Jim.”

    “Right. But you know it’s a little hot to be dashing through the snow anyway.”

    “Actually, that song originated as a Thanksgiving song.”

    Jim rolled his eyes and went back to reading on his PADD. He hoped that would clue Vanik in that he needed to leave.

    “Did you know that?”

    “Not only is the answer no, I also don’t care.”

    “I brought a Santa, a reindeer and a jingle bell.”

    Jim looked up at him again. “You what?”

    “Cookie cutters. I thought a pleasurable way to begin the month of Christmas in July was for us to engage in Christmas cookie making.”

    Jim blinked at the boy, then sighed. He knew defeat when he saw it. So much for not believing in no-win scenarios.

    “Tell you what. You go into the living room and sit quietly on the couch for a whole hour and let me study in peace for that time. And when that hour has passed, we’ll make those cookies. Deal?”

    Vanik nodded enthusiastically. “Deal.”

    Jim looked at him with skepticism. “You think you can be quiet for that long?”

    “It will be a challenge but I am up for it. Especially if it means making Christmas cookies with you.”

    Jim smiled, patted the boy’s bowl cut, and shooed him away.

    It would take a miracle for him to pass this test at this rate.  

      

    Photo by Karolina Ostrzolek on Pexels.com

  • Christmas in July, Post 1

    As requested. this involves the characters from my Trading Places fic.

    If you will recall, it inspired three pieces of fan art too

    Fan Art 1

    Fan Art 2

    Fan Art 3

    Hope you enjoy this holiday look at Tiberius, Zachary, Jim and Spock

    “I’m bored.”

    Zachary did not look up from the task he was attending to that afternoon.

    “You are always bored, Tiberius” he replied.

    Tiberius lounged naked on their bed. He rested on his back and stared at the ceiling while he threw a small rubber ball into the air to then catch it repeatedly.

    Less than an hour ago, Zachary spent a great deal of time making sure Tiberius was not bored. But that time had come again, and Zachary actually had work to do assigned to him by the King of Woldron, Tiberius’ father.

    “Well…amuse me.”

    Zachary snorted. “I think not. Go find something to do. Preferably with clothes on.”

    “You’re no fun.” His prince’s tone was petulant.

    “That is not the tune you were singing a short time ago,” he said wryly.

    Tiberius sat up. “How long do think the talents of your magic cock last?”

    Zachary shook his head. He chose not to answer that one.

    Tiberius got out of bed then, but to Zachary’s annoyance, he came to stand behind Zachary, and then, lean on his shoulders to see what he was doing.

    “Do you mind?”

    “Only a little.” Tiberius smirked, kissed Zachary’s neck, and then dramatically took himself off to get dressed.

    “Oh, and my darling prince, do try to stay out of trouble.”

    A door slammed and Zachary sighed.

    ****

    Jim Kirk looked at his terminal with a frown. “Lieutenant, did you say the transmission is from Woldron?”

    “Yes, Captain. It does not appear to be a distress signal,” Uhura replied. “Should I tell them you aren’t available?”

    “Yes,” Spock said coolly from beside him.

    Jim gave him a look. “No, Uhura. Patch it through.”

    “I do not like the royal family of Woldron.” Spock sniffed.

    “Didn’t you almost sleep with Tiberius?”

    “I did no such thing.”

    “Shh.”

    Prince Tiberius himself appeared on Jim’s screen. He was dressed all in frilly satin and his bejeweled crown was askew on his head. He held a golden goblet. Really, he looked quite ridiculous.

    “To what do we owe this…uh…honor, Tibby?”    

    The prince rolled his eyes. “No one calls me that.”

    Jim grinned. “I know.”

    Tiberius replied, “I’m bored.”

    “So?”

    “My husband suggested I find something to do, so…”

    “Well, his husband suggests you look elsewhere for entertainment. The captain is busy commanding a starship.”

    Tiberius chuckled and then waved. “Hi there, Spock. Long time no see.”

    Spock stared stonily at him.

    “My my. He’s gotten stuffier over the years, hasn’t he?”

    “Well…” Jim looked at Spock. “Why don’t you go, uh, sit over there, Spock?”

    “I am fine where I am, Captain.”

    Tiberius took a drink and then said, “What’s that tree with lights behind you?”

    “A Christmas tree,” Jim replied. “It’s the Christmas season.”

    “Christmas? Woldron doesn’t do Christmas.” Tiberius leaned forward eagerly. “Is it fun?”

    “Well, sure. You sing carols and have presents and drink peppermint mochas and…”

    “Hmm. I would like to try it. Perhaps we should switch again?”

    “Over my dead body,” Spock snapped. “Fortunately, the Enterprise is not near enough to your location for such nonsense to take place.”

    Tiberius pouted. Jim decided then and there he would never pout again. The prince looked like a spoiled child. Well, he was. Spoiled anyway.

    “You used to be a little fun,” the prince said with a sigh. “Still think I’d make a great Starship captain.”

    “You make a fine prince, Your Highness,” Spock said, a little more kindly. “Your planet and your husband are indeed lucky to have you.”

    “You think so?”

    “I do. And we are even more lucky Woldron is so far away. Goodbye, Your Highness.”

    Jim laughed as Spock disconnected the transmission. “Where were we?”

    “I believe you were about to kiss me under the plant fungus.”

    “Mistletoe, Spock. Sheesh.” But he pulled Spock down into his lap, held the mistletoe over their heads and laid one on.

    ****

    Zachary had been called away by King George, but when he returned to the chambers he shared with Tiberius, he could smell…cookies? He thought they were cookies. Some sort of spiced cookies. And then he heard music.

    “Hark the Herald, Angels Sing…”

    And Tiberius was singling along at the top of his lungs.

    Zachary pushed open the doors.

    He was greeted by Tiberius, dressed from head to toe in green and red ribbons, one even discreetly covering his cock. His face sparkled as though it was covered in glitter. In the corner of their bedroom was a giant Earth pine tree decorated with ornaments and garlands. He’d seen pictures of this sort of thing. There was a…

    “Tiberius…is that a reindeer?”

    Tiberius looked at the animal feeding in another corner of the room. “Yes. Otherwise known as a Caribou, I guess. It’s Christmas!!!”

    “That is a live creature. How did you…?”

    “Magic, of course. Merry Christmas!”

    “We do not celebrate Christmas.”

    “We do now.” Tiberius threw his arms around Zachary. “Come on. Unwrap me, I’m your present.”

    Zachary smiled and kissed him. “You are indeed my most precious gift.”  

  • Flash Fic, July 31, 2020

    When I think of Going Boldly, it’s hard to believe I wrote 114,00 word fic in five months. But I did. And so I thought I’d choose them as my last Kirk and Spock to revisit for my July flashes.

    It was nearly ten at night as Jim stood outside the rented cabin in Aspen, gazing up at stars that seemed so very far away.

    It was light though. Being July. It was beginning to show signs of getting dark, but still he could see pretty well everywhere.

    The door of the cabin opened.

    “Ashaya?”

    “Yep. Out here, babe.”

    Jim waited for Spock to join him, smiling all the while.

    “Your Christmas tunes are still playing in there,” Spock said, with a barely contained reproach to his tone. “And your egg nog martini is waiting.”

    Jim laughed softly. “I know. Sorry to make you crazy.”

    “That you have been doing for a number of years.” Spock searched his face. “You received a troublesome message?”

    “Lisa Michaels has died.”

    “Your counselor back on the Enterprise.”

    Jim nodded. “Yeah. I mean obviously I hadn’t seen her for years. But…I’m sorry for her. And her family.”

    “Natural causes?”

    “Yeah. She was good at her job. She told me at the end of the first mission she intended to put in for the second one.”

    Spock frowned a little. “I don’t recall her then.”

    Jim gave him a sad smile. “She wasn’t. See, when she told me, we joked about whether I would approve her or not and she was sure I would but…”

    “You did not,” Spock guessed.

    “I did not, yeah. I had a bit of a bastard moment then. And rejected her.” Jim sighed and turned into Spock’s arms. “I regretted after but by then it was too late. I never talked to her again either. Bones sent me the message about her death. She wanted me to talk about things I just…I talked to you about them.”

    “I know, adun. And I am sure that she understood.”

    “Maybe.” Jim kissed him. “Let’s go back inside. I want that egg nog martini and I’m in the mood for some Christmas music.”

    “In July.”

    Jim laughed again. “Yep. Come on, babe. Love you.”

    “And I you. Always.”

    And that is a wrap for the July flashes.

    Hope you enjoyed them!

  • Flash Fic, July 29, 2020

    Today we revisit Didn’t We Almost Have it All

    Spock considered that, really, he was lucky. A strange idea for a Vulcan to consider, but one he did, nevertheless.

    Because in spite of his many mistakes over the years, and miscalculations, his T’hy’la was seated across from him currently concentrating very hard on his PADD.

    Jim had recently taken on duties from Starfleet. From their home. Jim still didn’t or wouldn’t travel much. But what he did do for them seemed to help him a bit.

    “More coffee?”

    “Hmm? Oh. No. Um. Thank you.” Jim hadn’t looked up.

    Spock stood and went into the kitchen for more tea. He looked out the kitchen window. It was raining. There was a bit of thunder and lightening too. The humidity was not particularly comfortable either.

    It was then that he noticed a tiny, worn, faded sticker at the bottom right of the window. With a frown, Spock leaned in to look at it. It appeared to be an image of the mythical Santa Claus, but much of the face was missing. Over the top of the image were faded words Christmas in July. Or at least Spock thought that’s what it said.

    “Jim?”

    “Yeah, sweetheart?”

    “There is an old sticker here on the window.”

    “What?” Jim finally looked up from his PADD over to where Spock stood. “Oh. That. Yeah. That was from…” He scrunched up his face. “Think I was five.”

    “That long ago?”

    Jim stood up from his PADD and walked over to Spock, who wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close. “Yeah. There was a festival in the city. Not Riverside. Iowa City. Mom took us. That was all before…Frank. Anyway, I got that sticker. I stuck it on the window when she wasn’t looking. She got mad, but she couldn’t manage to get it off either.” He shrugged. “Been there ever since.”

    “Do they still have a Christmas in July Festival?” Spock wondered.

    Jim shook his head. “I don’t think so. Too much trouble I guess for such an old-fashioned thing. It was fun though. Back then.”

    Spock watched Jim process those memories. He moved his face closer to Jim’s so that their cheeks were touching. Touching Jim in some fashion always soothed him. It was an addiction he had no intention of breaking if Jim would indulge him.

    “Were you working on Federation tasks?”

    “Nah. I finished all that this morning. I was…Spock, remember what I mentioned when we got married?”

    Spock was torn between moving away from being cheek to cheek with Jim so he could look into his eyes and wanting to stay there. Curiosity won out and he pulled back to stare into those beloved blue eyes.

    “About children?”

    “Yes. I know, maybe you aren’t ready, with-because of your son, but…there’s a little girl…she’s part Orion, part Human and part Romulan and no one wants her, and I was thinking…” Jim stopped. Sighed. “Too soon? Too much?”

    “Jim. I did not say no.” Spock hugged him close, held him. Jim was shaking and Spock knew that was because this was so very important to him.

    Maybe to both of them.

    “Show me.”