This story is inspired by the not unexpected announcement that Paramount would not be making another movie in the Kelvin universe. After nearly 10 years since the last one and several false starts I don’t think anyone is that surprised given the new ownership there. I have mixed feelings. I would have loved to see one more movie with them all but on the other hand I can now happily break up Spock and Uhura without ever having to see them together as a couple in another movie. They didn’t work, they never will.
Anyway, just one more after this for “family” month and I might make it TOS. We shall see.
“So unfortunately they’re pulling the plug on any more adventures,” Jim confirmed to his crewmembers gathered before him. He sighed. “If the Enterprise goes out again, it’ll be with a new crew.”
“So the rumors are true,” Bones said softly.
Jim nodded. “Afraid so. Some of you may be offered assignments elsewhere in Starfleet.” He smiled faintly. “But for this exact crew, that’s the end.”
Scotty grunted. “Aye. Maybe it’s for the best anyway. With Pavel dying on that last mission, it doesn’t quite seem the same without him.”
“True. Anyway, check your own messages for assignment in the future, but for now you’re all officially on leave.”
Bones shook his head. “That’s it for me. I’ll be sending in my resignation. Been thinking about it anyway. Kind of tired of dealing with so many catastrophic injuries. I’ll probably head back to Georgia and set up practice to be an old country doctor.”
That didn’t really surprise Jim. He could sense Bones’ weariness for a while. And the death of Chekov and Bones’ inability to do a damn thing about it was sort of the last straw. He got it. More than most, really.
“How about you, Sulu? What do you think you’ll do?”
Jim knew Sulu was likely to be promoted to captain soon and the pilot would deserve it.
Sulu shrugged. “For now, I’ll be going to Yorktown to be with Ben and Demora. I’ve missed too much time with them.”
“Scotty?”
“Don’t know yet and that’s the truth. Not sure I’m ready to hang up my engineer’s hat, so we’ll see what they have in store for me. What about you, Jim?”
“They want to promote me to admiral,” Jim admitted. “Have me stationed at HQ. I haven’t decided whether to accept it. I’ve got more aches and pains in my limbs than I have limbs,” he joked. “I’m considering retirement.”
Uhura, who had stood there looking defiant, had her arms crossed in front of her chest. “And what go back to being a farm boy?”
“Maybe.” Jim turned to look at Spock, who had remained stiff and silent, as usual. “What about you, Spock?”
“I have already offered my resignation,” the Vulcan said. “I have no desire to command a ship, and I have already served with the two finest captains in Starfleet. My intention is to settle on New Vulcan.”
Which is entirely what Jim had expected to hear. No reason to expect anything else.
He simply nodded and went to turn away when Uhura made an irritated noise. He glanced her way.
“What is wrong with you?” Uhura demanded. “You both act like this is all settled and off you go.”
“Uhura—”
“No. The rest of you might keep your mouths shut but I definitely won’t. Just like that, you’re going to let him go to New Vulcan without ever telling him how you feel?”
Jim opened his mouth, closed it.
She then turned to Spock. “And you! I can’t believe you. You’re really going to leave him behind and never tell him he’s your T’hy’la and you’ve worshipped him from afar for years?”
“Nyota, this is not your concern.”
“You bet your Vulcan ass it is. We broke up because of the way you feel.” She pointed at Jim. “And you go around with a sad puppy dog face all the time while drowning your sorrows in booze and casual lovers because you think Spock will never love you or want you and I’m sick of both of you. So get your act together. I don’t care if you both resign from Starfleet but you sure as hell aren’t going to sit here and tell us you’re living separate lives.”
Jim stared at her, his heart pounding.
“I know I speak for all of us,” Uhura said. “We’re a family. All of us. And you don’t get to walk away from us without a payoff for all the time we’ve put up with you two.” She pointed at Spock. “You…talk to him. The rest of us will be over here, pretending not to listen.”
Jim watched as the group of them took several steps away from him and Spock. He was shaking as he glanced at Spock, who was clearly blushing.
“Um, listen, what she said, you don’t have to—”
“It is true,” Spock interrupted quietly. “Everything Nyota said.”
Jim swallowed. For a moment he couldn’t form words. But then he tried to lighten the mood a bit because everything seemed so intense all of a sudden.
“I’m sure worship is a little over the top.”
Spock shook his head.
“No?”
“I do worship you, Jim.”
“Well.” He didn’t know what to say. He felt overwhelmed.
Spock suddenly looked smaller. “You are under no obligation to—”
“Yeah, I am,” Jim said, quickly. “It’s not that…it’s really kind of a shock.”
“A shock?”
“To go for years wanting something you know you’ll never get, couldn’t get, to suddenly be looking at it staring you in the face, somehow actually getting it, I don’t know how to act, what to think. I’m at a loss.”
“What does that mean exactly?”
“It means I think I’m having a heart attack.”
“Jim—”
He shook his head. “No. That’s wrong. I love you, Spock. I think I always have. From day one. From the minute you tugged your uniform down to accuse me of cheating. I don’t know. I just know it’s always been you. Always will be you.”
“Why don’t you kiss him then?”
Jim glanced over at the group and saw Bones smirking.
“Do you mind? You’re supposed to be pretending not to listen. And—”
Spock kissed him silent, speechless. Jim grabbed hold of him and clung to him as the kiss deepened between them.
“I don’t think Spock will be going to New Vulcan after all,” Uhura said, smugness in her tone.
No. At least…not alone.
Not alone.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 