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December Flashes

It Is Time…

Saying Goodbye to my Fall Guys, it’s been a great three months.

Jim got up early, letting Spock continue to sleep, as he left the bedroom and went downstairs. He didn’t bother to shower. Not yet. He just pulled on the clothes he’d worn the day before and then took his hiking boots and socks with him to put on before going outside.

The air was brisk and the ground crunchy from frost, but the sky was clear, even as the sun had begun to arrive.

His breath swirled in front of him as he took his walk away from the farmhouse and Spock.

Soon opportunities like this would be gone. He sometimes went for long walks on the Enterprise, but they were seldom, if ever, solitary, as there were always crew members around at any given time and it wasn’t as though as captain, he went unnoticed. Ever.

Alone time on the Enterprise was not something Jim ever got to enjoy. And mostly, Jim was okay with that. He’d spent a lot of his early years alone, so he was okay with not being alone now. In fact, he generally preferred to be surrounded by others, especially loved ones, as he now seemed to think of his closest crew members.

But being with Spock these past three months had been Jim’s idea of heaven. However, he knew it was coming to an end.

In just a couple of days they were due back in San Francisco. Jim would be cleared by medical and then the Enterprise would be able to continue her mission.  Jim had no idea when he would be coming back here. It might be years or…dare he think it…never.

Jim was glad to be going back. He missed the beautiful lady. And he missed Bones and all the crew, their friends.

But he could admit, here, to himself, and to Spock, that this…this was nice.

He walked for miles, not even paying any great attention to his destination, but finally ending up in Riverside proper, the city, and over to a little diner he hadn’t been to since he’d left Riverside years ago for the Academy.

He seated himself at a booth and ordered a coffee, texting Spock with his whereabouts, and asking him to join him.

Jim was not at all surprised when Spock made it there in record time. He figured Spock had likely awakened and had been preparing to go in search of Jim.

Spock slid into the booth across from him and gave him a look that figured was not supposed to be reproachful, but it totally was.

“I woke and…”

“I know,” Jim interrupted softly. “I ended up going for a longer walk than I had originally planned or I’d have left a note. Sorry to make you worry.”

Spock nodded, accepted the offer of a beverage from the waitress, and then said to Jim after she left them to make their food choices, “You have been here before?”

He smiled. “Oh, sure. Many times. Mom once dated the guy who owned it.”

“Frank?”

“God, no. This was after Frank. Nice guy, but it didn’t work out. Anyway, he used to give me free food back then. Whatever I wanted. And after…”

“Tarsus.”

“Yeah. Like I said, nice guy.”

“You will miss this place.”

And Jim knew he didn’t mean the diner only but all of Riverside and Iowa itself, if came to that. And he would.

Yeah.

“Funny. I once couldn’t wait to get away from here. Never in a million years thought I would miss it. There’s an old phrase that says something about you can’t go home again. It’s supposed to mean that it’s never really the same, not the way you remembered, you can never get time back or the way it used to be back, that kind of thing, but in a lot of ways it’s more precious to me than it ever was back then.”

Spock reached for Jim’s hand who gladly gave it to him. “We have made pleasant memories here.”

“Yeah, we have. And I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

“It is the same for me.”

Jim smiled. “But I am, very much, looking forward to the New Year, the new us, the future, wherever it takes us.”

“To marriage and to bonding, is my desire.”

His smile widened and his heart was full. “Mine too.” He picked up his coffee mug and gestured for Spock to pick up his cup of tea. “To tomorrow and beyond.”

They clinked cups and took drinks and then they glanced toward the windows of the diner and watched the fresh falling snow.

Twas the Day After Christmas

Spock woke up feeling very good. Newly in a relationship with his captain, in fact so new the night before had been their first experimentation with physical intimacy, he felt more hopeful for the future than he had in a long time.

Until he turned his head to see Jim standing in front of his small artificial Christmas tree with a tear upon his cheek.

Spock sat up quickly. “Jim?”

His captain glanced his way, surprised, almost as though he’d forgotten he’d spent the night in Spock’s arms. But Jim shook head, gave a watery laugh, then wiped at his cheeks and eyes.

“Good Morning.”

“You are crying.” And yes it came out as an accusation.

“No.”

Spock swung his legs out of Jim’s bed. “I saw you. You even wiped your eyes.”

Jim laughed. “Oh that.”

“Do you…?” Spock stopped, gathering the courage. “Do you regret the consummation of…”

“What? The…no. Are you crazy? Regret that? Never. Ever. Never.” Jim stepped over to him, grabbed his hands and drew him to stand up. Spock was vaguely embarrassed that he wore nothing but Jim’s briefs. And he tried to recall how he came to be wearing Jim’s, but that part was a little fuzzy. Even for him.

Jim kissed him hard and Spock relaxed into the kiss, relieved, though he was still confused.

“Jim, I do not understand.”

“I know you don’t, sweetheart.” He drew Spock over to the tree. “It’s over.”

“Over?”

“Christmas. It’s the day after. I always feel just a…little sad. Ever since I was a kid I looked forward all year to Christmas. To the holidays. It started with Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. The absolute best time of the year. Well, other than the weather. And then on the 26th, it’s gone. And we’re faced with months and months of just…ordinary days, I guess.”

Spock turned Jim to face him, fingers grazing over Jim’s bristly jaw and cheek. “No day in which I can wake up to be with you is ordinary.”

Jim’s smile brightened the room. “God, you’re just…I can’t believe this is real. That you really feel this way.”

“What way?”

“The way I feel about you. I never thought I’d get to have this.” Jim kissed him again.

“No more sadness?”

“No more sadness. After all it all comes around next year again. Let’s go back to bed.”

“We are due on the bridge in less than an hour, ashayam.”

“Damn it. I’m gonna cry again.”

“Jim.”

“Oh fine. Let’s go share a shower.”

As Jim began to move away, Spock drew him back for one more kiss. One of many to come.

There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Jim walked outside and looked around. But he didn’t see Spock. Not anywhere he could see in the immediate area. For a moment, Jim glanced back at the house thinking maybe he had been wrong about Spock coming outside.

But then he saw a flash of color in the darkness. The Christmas red and green sweater Spock had reluctantly put on because Jim had asked him to.

With a smile and warmth blossoming in his chest, Jim headed toward the barn where he could see Spock leaning against the dark red structure.

“Hey, babe, you okay?”

“Affirmative.”

Jim walked up to Spock and was pleased when his Vulcan straightened enough to pull him into his arms.

“Sorry you came with me to see my family for the holidays?” Jim was only half teasing. The Kirks could be challenging for most people, Jim guessed, but especially staid Vulcans like Spock.

“I am not.”

Jim pulled back to look at Spock. “You sure? I understand if we’re too much. And honestly, I didn’t know Sam and Aurelan and Peter and Uncle George and Aunt Loulabelle and…

“Jim. I am not sorry.”

“It’s a full house. And with Bones here too…did you come out here because you got a little…overwhelmed?”

For a moment, Spock didn’t answer, but finally he slowly nodded. “They are rather boisterous.”

“They are.” Jim kissed him. “Are they too much?”

Spock blew out a breath. “To be with you, nothing is too much.”

“God, I love you.”

“My affection for you transcends everything.”

Jim laughed. “Some how that sounds way better than my simple I love you.”

Spock shook his head. “Not to me.”

Jim hugged him close. “Aren’t you cold out here, babe?”

“I was before you came out. But if that is your way of asking me if I am ready to come inside, I am.”

Jim held on to Spock as they turned toward the house. “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” He chuckled. “Want some hot chocolate?”

“I could get…frisky.”

“I’m counting on it, Spock. I’m counting on it.”

O Christmas Tree

“Tyler Christmas Trees,” Chris read the sign as Zach pulled up in front of the tree lot.

It was a tree farm, really, and outside of Manhattan, of course, because there was hardly room for a farm there. Sure they had lots here and there dotting the streets of New York City, but Zach had wanted to go to the farm.

“I went here a few years back, first year I moved to New York,” Zach explained as he pulled into a parking space. “They have Santa and peppermint mocha in the barn over there.”

Chris smiled. He sounded kind of excited at the prospect. Zach had a sort of infectious excitement. He got out of the car and followed the other man through the gates of the farm.

“Is this the kind of place where you chop down your own tree?”

“Yeah you can do that kind of thing, if you’re into playing Paul Bunyan.”

Chris laughed. “You’re not I guess.”

Zach gave him a look. “I like real trees and all, but I like convenience.”

Chris walked into the barn after him. It was decorated with garlands and glitter and Santa and reindeer. Mrs. Claus too. Children sat on the lap of Santa, ushered there by elves.

“Cute. Did you have real trees growing up?”

“When Dad was alive, yeah, but once he passed Ma got artificial. It was easier for her with two boys to raise by herself. But since I went out on my own, I’ve been getting real. When I get a tree at all. Sometimes I didn’t bother because I was too busy.”

Zach walked up to the counter where a pretty elf stood manning the peppermint mochas. “Two please.” He took out his wallet and paid, handing one to Chris.

The “elf” was staring openly at Chris, giggling as she did.

Zach rolled his eyes as he put his hand on Chris’ arm and led him away. “Bet she’s seen Wonder Woman.”

“Maybe.”

“Let’s go check out the trees.”

They walked out of the barn and out to the pre-cut trees.

“Flocked or not flocked?”

“Not flocked. I get enough snow without having it in my apartment.”

“Hmm.”

Zach glanced at him. “What about you? Did you guys do Christmas trees?”

“Yeah, we did. Neither of my parents were particularly religious, though I guess they were as kids. But we kind of paid attention to holidays from a secular point of view.. So, yeah, we had a tree. And they were usually real ones.”

Zach smiled. “Well, thanks for being here to help me pick out my tree. It’s great to have you here in New York right now.”

They went up and down aisle after aisle until finally Zach stopped by a six and a half foot leafy tree.

“This is the one,” he announced. “Let me get someone to help us.”

They ended up scheduling it to be delivered to Zach’s apartment rather than them dealing with it themselves.

After it had been set up, Zach stood back and surveyed the tree.  “What do you think, Pine?”

He put a deliberate stress on Chris’ last name that had him rolling his eyes. “Yeah, it looks great.”

Zach moved close to him and put his hand on Chris’ arm. “Ready to help me decorate?”

“Sure am.” He covered Zach’s hand with his.  Then with his other hand he held up some mistletoe. He leaned over and kissed Zach softly. “Merry Christmas, babe.”

“Speaking of…” Zach murmured against his lips. “Is there anyway…?”

“I can stay in New York for Christmas?”

Zach sighed. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t ask. Your family…never mind.”

“Zach, I didn’t say no.”

Zach’s gaze rose. “But?”

“But nothing.” Chris grinned. “I can stay.”

“Are you sure?”

Chris’ smile gentled and he kissed Zach again, longer, softer. “I’m sure.” He turned toward the tree. “Got your banjo?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Just get it.”

Zach walked away and returned with his banjo, a question in his eyes.

“Do you know ‘O Christmas Tree?”

Zach laughed. “Oddly enough, yeah.” He began to strum it.

“O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Thy Branches.”

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah

TOS OMS

Kirk had not really grown up with much religion. His mother had told him about several and encouraged him to investigate them and their beliefs as he saw fit, but he really hadn’t delved too much into it.

He knew a lot from reading, of course. And being a fan of Dickens, he’d read A Christmas Carol a time or two.

By the time he had become a young man in Starfleet he didn’t give much thought to any of it. His mind had been on other things.

Even when they’d been on the planet in system 892, it had taken Uhura to correct his perception that the inhabitants were “sun” worshipers when in fact they had worshipped the “Son of God”.

Even after he and Spock had bonded, retired for the most part, and settled at his family’s old farmhouse in Riverside, Iowa, Kirk didn’t give it much thought.

When he’d been captain of the Enterprise, the ship had festive events surrounding the holiday season. He’d participated in those he thought he should and excused himself from those he thought he could get away with.

To his knowledge, Spock had participated even less than he had, though Kirk knew that Spock had been very private before they’d fallen in love and bonded. Even now, there was so much about his husband he didn’t really know.

So when he came down rather late for breakfast one December morning, he was surprised to see Spock performing a ceremony with candles, and chanting in a language unfamiliar to him.

“Spock?”

“Good morning, Jim.” An eyebrow shot up. “Or rather, Good afternoon.”

Jim smiled sheepishly. He’d been feeling a bit under the weather lately, plus he seemed to need more sleep the older he got. “Morning.” He snagged a cinnamon roll from a basket of them and tore off a hunk.

“What are you doing? Jewish, right?”

“Affirmative. As you are aware, ashal-veh, my mother was Jewish.”

“Sure. But I was unaware she was practicing,” Kirk admitted, feeling embarrassed. He should know this.

“When she was able to, she did. My father of course preferred the Vulcan way and discouraged her from sharing much of it with me. But when I was very young, she would celebrate Hanukah with me. Even give me small gifts.”

Kirk frowned. “Why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“There was no reason you would know nor a reason for me to tell you,” Spock replied. “I have not observed it myself for many years, but with the recent death of my mother, I find myself thinking of her and of it.”

He moved closer to Spock, surveying the candles. “And you’ve had these all this time?”

“Negative. My father presented me with them after her death when you and I were on Vulcan. He saw no purpose in keeping them.”

Kirk met Spock’s gaze. “He really is never going to be warm and fuzzy is he?”

“You know the answer to that.”

“Yeah. I mean things can’t really take the place of the person we lost, I get that, but it’s…nice to have something, you know?”

Spock nodded. “I know. She used to sing songs too. One was ‘Hanukah, Oh Hanukah’.

Kirk searched his memory, trying to remember the song. He shook his head. “Can you sing it?”

For a moment, Spock simply stared at him. But then very softly he sang,

O Hanukah O Hanukah, Come light the menorah

Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora!

Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat

Driedels to play with & latkes to eat

and while we are playing, the candles are burning low

One for each night, they shed a sweet light, to remind us of days long ago      

Kirk hugged Spock. “Thank you for sharing that with me. Your mom with me. I’m very glad I got to know her.”

“Me too.” Spock lit a candle.     

Latke Recipe

White Christmas

TOS OMS

“I want to go to Riverside for December.”

Spock paused in reading the missive he’d been sent by the Federation. He glanced up from his PADD. “What was that, Jim?’

He had, of course, heard what Jim said, but he was still having trouble processing the idea. Iowa was cold in December and sometimes even had…

“Snow, Spock.”

He stared at his husband.

Who smiled.

Jim sat in his favorite chair, sipping at a glass of brandy in front of a fire in their San Francisco apartment. It was November and to Spock it seemed pleasantly cozy there without having to add something like cold and frost in Iowa.

“I do not understand.”

“Of course you do.”

Of course he did. He knew what Jim said. OF course. But that didn’t mean he agreed with the idea.

“My ambassadorial duties…”

“Can be done from the farmhouse. You aren’t due to go off for any conferences or meetings until after the first of the year, Spock.”

“But—”

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Like the ones I grew up with.”

Spock opened his mouth.

“The trees glisten with that white stuff. Like sparkling diamonds.”

“The temperature drops to freezing,” Spock said dryly.

Jim chuckled. “Yeah. Yeah, it does. Sweetheart, you don’t ever have to leave the house if you don’t want to. I’ll happily pamper you and allow you to take up the sofa wrapped in luxurious blankets and sipping tea and eating sugar cookies as you please.”

Spock had to admit that did sound rather nice.  Perhaps his little Vulcan heart was melting to the idea.

He opened his mouth.

“We leave in the morning.”

“What?”

Jim smiled slyly and sipped his brandy. “I figured you’d agree. It’ll be great, Spock. You’ll love it. And I’ll take care of all the outdoor stuff. Firewood, shoveling snow, whatever.”

Spock inwardly sighed. “Very well, Jim.”

“Thank you. You’re the best.”

He shook his head and went back to his missive, but he could not concentrate, and instead got up to pack whatever passed for warm clothes in his wardrobe. He packed for Jim too.   

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Fall Guys

Jim woke with his Vulcan lying on top of him. It had sure been surprising to learn how clingy and cuddly Spock was. He could feel there was a chill to the air but with his Vulcan blanket he was anything but cold.

With a turn of his head he could see through the window the snow falling pretty heavily. Spock wouldn’t be amused.

“Ashaya?”

“Hi baby. Guess you’re awake.”

Spock shifted off him. Sort of. He remained very close and touching Jim still. “It is cold.”

“Yeah. Snowing. A lot.”

Spock made a sort of harrumphing noise, turned to lie on his back, and pulled Jim to lie atop him. “Then we should stay in bed.”

Jim chuckled. “Can’t totally argue with you there.”

“You will miss this when we return to the Enterprise.”

“Yeah. I know you won’t, though.”

“I will miss living here with just you, having nothing but time on our hands to do whatever it is we wish. But the cold? I will not.”

He smiled. “It won’t be long now. Our leave is up soon.”

Spock greeted this with a silent moment, then a heavily released breath. “Do you wish to see if it can be extended?”

“Extended?”

“I am not certain you are yet fully recovered from your injuries.”

With a sigh, he shook his head. “Nah. I am. Good enough anyway. They’ve been more than generous. More than I expected.”

“Yes,” Spock agreed. “But you have been enjoying our time here.”

“Sure. It’s been wonderful. And I’ve never had a better Christmas. So, yeah, I’m sad our time together is almost over.”

Spock stiffened beneath him.

Jim rose a little and looked down at him. “Not our time, Spock.  That’s never going to end.” He paused. “Is it?”

“Not for me, no. Never.”

Jim took Spock’s hand in his. “Then what is it?”

“It is difficult for me sometimes to remember that this is real,” Spock said, softly. “That you really feel for me similar feelings to the way I have harbored feelings for you for so long. When I was with Nyota I was content.”

Jim searched his face. “Okay. Then why didn’t you stay with her?”

“Contentment was not enough for Nyota. She wanted to be happy.” Spock lowered his gaze. “She had guessed my feelings for her had changed to more of deep companionship rather than romantic and that I had fallen for you. That was not enough for her and she did not believe it was enough for me.”

“And?”

“At first I did not believe she was correct.” Spock’s lips curved as he lifted his gaze to Jim’s. “But now that I have happiness with you, I know she made the correct decision for both of us. I have not experienced what I have with you with anyone else and that is, of course, because you are my T’hy’la.” Spock raised the hand Jim was not holding to Jim’s cheek. “I want to marry you. I want to bond with you. My brother, friend, lover, my everything.”

Jim brought Spock’s hand to his face. “You’re my everything too. I want that. I want it all with you, Spock. Forever.”

Later, after they did get out of bed, Jim talked Spock into helping him make gingerbread men. And then sugar cookies.

Then they sat on the couch, next to the tree, with a fire going, munching on the cookies with some mulled cider.

Jim laughed. “I never did any of this as a kid.”

“Nor did I.”

“Did your folks celebrate anything?” Jim wondered.

“No. My father thought such celebrations were very un-Vulcan. Mother mostly acquiesced to his wishes on that. I believe when she herself was young and still on Earth she observed the Jewish feasts, remembrances, and holidays.”

He smiled faintly. “I’ve never done any of this as an adult either. So, thank you. It really has been the most wonderful time. Not just now, but for the couples of months we’ve been here. I’ll cherish it, for a long long time.”

“And I will cherish you, my James.”

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Spock looked up from making his tea to the kitchen window. Alarm shot through him. The snow, which had been spraying lightly all day, had taken a turn for the worst. It was becoming a blizzard.

He turned away and glanced at his PADD sitting on the dining room table. He’d gotten an earlier voice message from Jim advising he would be leaving San Francisco that afternoon after having been there the last four days for Starfleet meetings.

They’d left active duty, both of them, and had been teaching classes at the Academy. Spock left San Francisco four days ago for the winter break. Originally Jim was to leave with them, but then Starfleet had asked him to stay for additional days.

“You go ahead and get settled at the farmhouse and I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Jim smiled brightly at him and gave him a lengthy kiss. “I’ll be home for Christmas, Spock. You can plan on it.”

And so Spock had left his husband behind.

Spock didn’t care much about Christmas either way. It was something Jim cared about and…

“He’s not going to make it, is he?” A small voice asked.

Spock looked down at the little girl with golden curls and pointed ears. His heart squeezed.  He dropped down on his haunches to his daughter’s level. Her bottom lip trembled.

“He is trying, Amanda. But the weather may make it difficult.”

“He was supposed to come home with us.”

“Yes. But his work is very important.”

“Are they going to make him go back, Sa Mekh?”

“Back?”

“To command a starship,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. “To have him save the universe…again.”

He shook his head. “No.” He thought better of being so matter-of-fact. “I do not believe so.”

“I don’t want him to leave! He said he’d be here for Christmas! He’s supposed to decorate the tree with me.”

“Amanda…”

“I hate Starfleet!”

Suddenly the front door was flung open and the sound of loud stomping feet had them both turning eagerly.

“Wow, it’s just awful out there!”

Spock closed his eyes, relief and warmth flowing through him at the sound of Jim’s boisterous voice.

“Daddy!” Amanda turned from Spock and ran to the front door, laughing in delight as her daddy scooped her up into his arms.

Jim laughed. “Here’s my princess.” He strode toward Spock as Spock rose to stand tall once more. “And here’s my prince.” He leaned over and kissed Spock on the lips. He didn’t seem to mind that their daughter clung tightly to his neck.

“We feared you wouldn’t be able to make it,” Spock murmured when Jim’s eyebrows raised in question.

“I said I would, didn’t I?” He pulled Amanda off his neck, but continued to hold her. “Those aren’t tears I see in my big girl’s eyes, are they?”

She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “No, Daddy.”

“Good. Because if we’re going to build that gingerbread house we talked about there can’t be any tears.” Jim laughed again and set her on her feet. “Go get your jammies on, princess, and then come back down and we’ll start the house.”

“Yay!”

She scrambled for the stairs.

“No running,” Spock called after her. He stared deeply into blue blue eyes. “You are well?”

“Of course, honey.” He wrapped his arms around Spock and kissed him again and again. “I missed you like crazy. Both of you.”

“And we missed you.”

“You have the snow, how about the mistletoe?” Jim grinned.

“What?”

“Never mind. I love you.”

“I love you.” Spock kissed him one more time. “And I will show you how much later, but for now, you’d better get out of those damp clothes, and I’d better get the gingerbread ready.”

“You’re going to help us?”

“If I do not the house will be crooked and missing the roof.”

Jim laughed. “That was last year.” He held up his hands at Spock’s arched brow. “I’m going, I’m going.”

And Jim dashed toward the stairs. “No running,” Spock called after him. Sighed and then smiled. And went to get the gingerbread ready.   

Winter Wonderland

Jim hadn’t wanted to come to Riverside for the winter break. He’d told his mother no. At least a dozen times. But then he had nothing else to do. Nothing. Bones was going home to Georgia for two weeks with his daughter and to see his dad, and though Bones had invited him, Jim felt like he’d be an outsider.

And then Spock, who he’d hoped to maybe spend some time with, to, um, make it clear he liked the Vulcan more than as a buddy, had declared he was going to Vulcan to visit with his parents. There had been no specific invitation there and Jim would have turned it down anyway. Sweltering on Vulcan as the awkward friend who had no one to spend the break with, so Spock was stuck with him, wasn’t in Jim’s list of positive things to do.

Mom would be returning on the same day to Riverside from having visited with Sam and his family for the last month or so in Toronto. 

From San Francisco to Riverside, Spock would be riding the shuttle with him. Spock had a short meeting at the shipyard there and then he would be taking another shuttle direct to Vulcan.

Just before they were due to land, the pilot had advised them that Riverside was experiencing a significant snow storm.

Spock eyed Jim. “I hope that does not mean what I think it means.”

Jim grimaced and took a chance, reaching over to pat his friend’s hand. Yeah Vulcan’s didn’t like touching. Except, well, Spock didn’t seem to mind it too much from him.

“I’m thinking it means what you think. Your shuttle won’t be leaving for Vulcan, Spock. Not today.”

Sure enough, when they landed and departed their shuttle, the boards were filled with cancelations to every single destination.

Jim stood next to Spock as they surveyed the information.

“Sorry, Spock. Looks like you’ll be stuck here. At least overnight.”

“It would seem so. Wasn’t your mother due to return on the shuttle from Toronto?”

Jim followed his gaze to the cancellation board for arrivals. “Uh-oh.”

“How long do you think this storm will last?” Spock asked, falling into step beside Jim as they walked toward the baggage area of the shuttle bay.

“I wish I knew. Sometimes they are gone in a day and other times…” His communicator buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket. “Yep, that’s Mom. Hang on, Spock.”

He stepped away from the Vulcan so he wouldn’t be forced to hear any lame family conversations.

“Mom? You okay?”

“Was about to ask you the same thing. Listen, big storm in Toronto,”

He frowned. “Wait. What? There’s a big storm in Riverside.”

She chuckled. “Yeah. I heard about that. But I wasn’t getting out of Toronto today anyway, kiddo. And doesn’t sound like tomorrow either. Did you make it to Riverside before they shut it all down?”

“Yep. Just landed. Spock came with me because he had a meeting here, but looks like he’s not getting out of here to go to Vulcan.”

“That’s too bad. But it makes me feel better that you have someone with you at least. Look I had the neighbor over on Johnson Road, Mr. Witherspoon, stock up the house ahead of time for us, so it would be all ready for you and me when we got there. That’s good news for you as you probably want to head straight to the farm before it gets too crazy.”

“You think of everything.”

“I sure didn’t think of this,” she said with a sigh. “So I won’t be there for at least a couple of days. Hopefully not longer than that. Do you think Spock will stay there that long with you?”

“I think Spock will hightail it out of here the minute they tell him it’s okay. He’s a desert dweller. He won’t be amused.”

“Hmm. Well, I won’t keep you because I don’t want you to be caught in something you can’t get home from. I love you.”

“Love you too, Mom. Enjoy your extended stay with Sam and his family. Bye.”

Spock was waiting for him when he turned around, holding his own communicator in hand. “My meeting has been canceled.”

“That sucks.”

Spock nodded, then looked uncertain. “I suppose I should procure hotel accommodations.”

Jim snorted. “Get real. I have this whole huge farmhouse where you can stay. It’s just the two of us since Mom can’t make it out of Toronto. Let’s get going before it gets worse. You can notify your folks when we get there. But something tells me they already know.”

“Likely. But I will contact them there anyway.”

They got their bags and headed for the exit, with Jim quickly flagging down transportation to make it to the farm.

***

By the time the hover cab dropped them off the snow was falling so hard it was difficult to see in front of them.

“Hope you make it back okay,” Jim said to the driver.

“I will. You were my last fare. I don’t live too far. Have a good night.” And the guy was off.

Spock was pretty much covered in snow and not at all happy about it. Jim thought he was about as magnificent as anyone or anything he’d ever seen. And he wanted to tell Spock that, but he couldn’t get the words out and Spock was looking unhappier, so Jim turned toward the house.

“Guess you don’t think this is a Winter Wonderland,” he murmured as he accessed the front door with a swipe of his palm print.

He stepped aside to let Spock inside. Then he followed into the cold and dark house.

“Computer, voice authorization, James Tiberius.” He paused briefly.

“Authorization granted.”

“Lights and heat on.”

The house lit up bright instantly. He could see the tension in Spock’s shoulder lessen even as the chill in the front hall dissipated.

As Jim shrugged out of his snow covered outerwear, he smiled crookedly.  “I’m guessing you won’t want to go outside to build a snowman we call a circus clown.”

The Vulcan’s brows furrowed. “Pardon?”

He shook his head. “Nah, nothing. Just a silly song.”

“A song?”

Jim sang, “In the meadow we can build a snowman and pretend that he’s a circus clown. We’ll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman until the other kiddies knock him down.”

Spock stared at him blankly.

“When it snows ain’t it thrillin, though your nose gets a chillin…not much of a music lover, huh?”

“On the contrary,” Spock said primly. “I enjoy a very eclectic selection of music from different species.”

“Ah. Just not a Jim and music lover.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Gotcha. You wouldn’t be the first to be resistant to my various charms. Come on. Take off your coat and I’ll get you settled in a room upstairs.”

Spock removed his snow covered coat and placed it on the coatrack Jim pointed out and then followed him up the stairs to the bedrooms.

“I guess you’ll be staying in Sam’s old room. I’ll get the sheets all changed and everything.”

He led Spock to the room and Spock glanced around the simple room made up of a bed and a dresser with a small attached bathroom.

“Thank you, Jim. I know this is all unexpected and you did not plan to have me as a houseguest.”

“Nah, it’s good on my end. What with Mom not making it, it’s nice to have someone here. I’m just sorry you’re stuck with me. Can’t be fun for you.”

Spock looked away for a second, then back to Jim. He looked suddenly very serious and not at all Vulcan blank.

“Jim, I am afraid that you are under a very mistaken impression.”

Jim frowned. “Oh?”

“I do not feel stuck with you.”

He brightened then. “Oh, I know. I didn’t mean anything. Just kind of a joke. I know you wanted to go see your parents for the break.”

“And I will still be able to see them once the storms pass, but that does not mean that I am in a hurry to depart from you.”

“Well.” Jim nodded. “Okay good.” Warmth blossomed in his chest. “We can change the sheets and stuff later. Want to go down for something warm to drink?”

“Yes, but if you will permit me, I would like to make contact with my parents. I will be down shortly.”

“Oh. Sure. Sure.”

When he got downstairs, he set water for boiling, checked out the fully stocked cabinets and refrigerator, as his mom had promised, and then checked his own messages. He had one from Bones.

 Made it. I heard your area got a storm. Hope you made it safely. Listen Jim, when the break is over, you really ought to tell the hobgoblin, er, Spock, how you feel. Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Make it your new year’s resolution.

Jim smiled. Glanced up to the stairs just as Spock was coming down. He had changed out of his uniform into a big brown fluffy sweater. He got a funny lump in his throat just looking at Spock.

“Jim? Are you all right?”

He swallowed down that lump. “Spock, I…I don’t know if this is the time or maybe if there never will be a time, you know, that’s good. It’s just…I really like you. As a friend, sure, but…but more than that. In fact, it’s more than like. And I guess maybe you probably…”

“Jim. Be quiet.”

His mouth hung open. “Did you just tell me to be quiet?”

Spock stepped close. “I did. You were about to say I probably did not share your feelings. Is that correct?”

Jim blinked. “Yes,” he whispered.

“I do.”

“You…do?”

Spock’s mouth covered his in a deep kiss. He then drew back. “What does that tell you?”

“That I won’t need to put sheet’s on Sam’s bed after all.” Jim laughed and pulled Spock back into a kiss. He heard a jingle of bells in the distance. He pulled back. “Did you just hear bells?”

“I did not.”

“Hmm. Still snow is glistening.”

“Are you talking about that song again, Jim?”

He grinned. “A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight…”

Spock’s gaze went to the window in the kitchen. “We are most definitely not walking in a winter wonderland.”

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