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Flash Fic Sunday

Flash Fic, December 01, 2024

And here we are with the chess boys again. Enjoy

“Thanks again for inviting me to your mom’s, Jim,” Bones said as they settled down into the shuttle to make their way back to San Francisco. “It was real nice. Delicious too.”

Jim yawned and leaned against Spock. He probably shouldn’t but Spock didn’t seem to mind and in fact made room for him.

“You’re welcome, Bones. She loved having all of us there for Thanksgiving. She hasn’t been able to do a meal like that for years, so it made her happy.”

Bones nodded. “It was a pleasure. I’ll be going home over the holiday break to see my kid. What are you two lovebirds planning?”

Jim angled his head to glance at Spock. “What are we planning, fellow lovebird?”

Spock appeared a little amused. “I have no particular plans at present. Vulcans do not really celebrate holidays as we don’t believe in a higher deity. However, Mother was raised Jewish. She didn’t celebrate anything either. I am happy to do whatever you wish with regard to them. I only ask that, if possible, we spend a few days on Vulcan. My parents will have returned there by then and I would like to do so if we can.”

Jim smiled. “Of course we can. Let’s plan on it.”

Bones snorted but then asked, “When is the official move-in date?”

Spock shrugged slightly. “I defer to Jim.”

“No time like the present? I was thinking this week makes the most sense. That okay, Bones?”

“I don’t have much to say about it, do I? My only decision is whether to keep the double dorm or change to a single, so I don’t have to share with anyone. You let them know you were vacating?”

“Yeah before we left.”

“I don’t know if anyone can replace you, Jim. So I’m thinking of requesting a single.”

“Awe, Bones. You care.”

“I don’t want anyone who’s even more of a pain in the ass than you.”

Jim straightened and glanced at Spock when he heard a low rumble that might have been a laugh. He narrowed his eyes, then laughed himself.

“Whatever man, whatever.”

Forced Retirement (2023)

And a sequel to the sequel

Photo by Sebastian Hietsch on Pexels.com

Jim’s at his retirement party.

He doesn’t want to be here. When he was young he liked parties, but he’s not young now. And even though the expert on all things Jim, Bones, has said all his vitals are good and strong due to the super blood running through his veins, he’s at mandatory retirement age for Starfleet.

It sounds just as weird thinking about it as it did out loud when he was told in what could only be described as a gentle nudge.

He remembers Bones talking about it when he hit retirement first. He was being “put out to pasture” in Bones Speak.

Jim’s gaze sweeps the noisy room, seeking out Spock, who dressed in Vulcan robes, speaks with a casually dressed Uhura.

He remember a time when he was jealous of her, even of their very close friendship after their romantic relationship ended. He never viewed his own friendship with Spock as being as close. It bothered him then.

But it doesn’t now. Everything they have has evolved into what they have now. It is beyond friendship and romance. Somehow. And he can’t really explain it but it feels right.

Better than right.

He is happy with life, except for the forced retirement.

Coincidentally, it is New Year’s Eve. Long ago he’d experienced a few painful ones. One in particular when he was still a young admiral.

He remembers the heartache like remembering a toothache when you are a child. It’s distant and no longer relevant, but a memory of one’s passage through life events.

  He avoids the captain deliberately making a beeline for him by hurrying to the double doors leading outside. He should feel guilt but somehow he doesn’t.

He makes his way down to the oversized balcony he once stood at all those years ago and stops there. He looks down from there, at the side of the building where he once let go of a picture of himself and Spock.

A lot has changed since then.

Some has not.

He still never found out what happened to Sam. And that still breaks his heart when he thinks about it too much. He wishes he could have saved his brother. His mom wished that too when she was alive. But they both were unable.

“Admiral?”

A smile touches his lips as he turns to greet his husband.

“Not anymore, my love. Retirement, remember?”

“Indeed.” Spock pulls him into his arms and draws him close, holding him into the warmth of his embrace.

“It’s not cold tonight. You know, like it was then.”

“Mm. It has been a warmer year. What have you been thinking?”

“Little things, mostly. Wondering what the hell I’m going to do with retirement.”

“I feel certain I will find a way to occupy your time.”

Jim laughs and it feels good to do so.

Fireworks are suddenly released in the distance and Jim knows it’s time.

“Happy New Year, Spock.”

“Happy New Year, Jim.”  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Flash Fic, December 24, 2023

There won’t be a flash tomorrow, so this counts as your Christmas Flash

“I wish Daddy was here.” Peter’s bottom lip trembled as Jim looked down at his three year old nephew. There were still tear tracks on his chubby cheeks.

“Me too, kiddo.”

In truth, Jim was on the brink of tears himself.

The last twenty-four hours had been a disaster.

Jim was currently in Riverside tasked with taking care of his three-year-old nephew while his brother Sam was on assignment for Section 31.

And Jim was waiting to see if the Enterprise would go out on a second five-year mission. If they did, would he retain the same crew, most importantly Spock. He wasn’t sure, considering Jim had confessed his romantic feelings for Spock at the end of the first mission. For the last few months of that mission, he and Spock had been engaged in a “sex for pleasure only” affair, or so they had insisted on calling it. Wasn’t supposed to involve emotion. Only for Jim, it always had.

He’d gone and cocked it up but admitting this to Spock. And Spock had left to go to New Vulcan.

So, when Sam had asked Jim about watching Peter, he had agreed.

Peter’s mom had passed after an illness.

Whatever. All of this was the lead up to the disaster of the day. There’d been a fire in the living room at the farmhouse, thanks to the Christmas tree, and though the whole house hadn’t been destroyed, the recommendation  had been that they spend the next two weeks away from the farmhouse to avoid smoke inhalation and water damage. It would take that long to make everything livable.

So here it was Christmas Eve and he and Peter were about to check into a hotel in the city proper.

Jim guessed it wasn’t the worst Christmas ever. But maybe it was close. He had no gifts for the little tyke either. They’d gone up with the Christmas tree.

After getting them settled into a hotel room that included a kitchenette, Jim asked Peter, “What would you like to eat for supper?”

“Chicken nuggets! And ice cream.”

There was a twenty-four hour café attached to the hotel, so they went there. Fortunately he was able to get the chicken nuggets and ice cream for Peter.

“Will Santa find us?” Peter asked as he dipped a nugget into ketchup.

Yuck, Jim thought.

And his heart sank. What was he supposed to tell the little guy?

He had notified Bones what happened. And Bones had offered his sympathy, but he was in Georgia with his own kin so there wasn’t much he could do.

And most stores were already closed so how was he supposed to get anything for the child?

He needed a Christmas miracle.

“Well.” Jim smiled. “How’s the chicken?”   

He himself had chosen meatloaf with mashed potatoes.

“Yummy.”

“Good. As far Santa…well. I think he’ll find us eventually, but it might be hard tonight or by Christmas. It might be when we go back home.”

“Okay.” But he looked so sad and forlorn that Jim’s heart just broke.

He was a terrible uncle.

After they finished eating, Jim took Peter around the area to look at Christmas lights, which did cheer both of them up considerably.

By the time he got back to the hotel, he had to carry Peter, as the boy had fallen asleep. He was surprised to see a wreath pinned to the outside of his hotel room.

Maybe something the hotel did?

He opened the door and stepped in carrying Peter. It was then he noticed the small artificial tree next to the kitchenette. It had been decorated with hundreds of white lights and little red bows. Beside it stood a very familiar Vulcan.

“Spock?”

“Merry Christmas, Jim.”

“How—”

“Leonard contacted me. It was not easy, but I made it in time.” Spock walked over to gaze upon Jim’s zonked out nephew. “Perhaps you should put him to bed before we place the presents under the tree.”

His breath caught in his throat. “You brought presents for Peter?”

“Indeed. Isn’t that expected by a child of his age for Christmas?”

Jim nodded, suddenly feeling tears sting his eyes. “Yeah. Let me put him down.”

Jim walked over to the bed and drew back the covers, setting Peter down on the bed, and covering him. He was very happy to see the boy remained sleeping. All the better to surprise him in the morning.

Jim then turned and went back to where Spock waited. The Vulcan was holding on to a Santa sack.

“I can’t believe you did all this.”

“Clearly you were in need of assistance, Captain.”

He swallowed heavily. “Yeah, I was, but…”

Spock glanced away. “In truth, I was coming to see you anyway, so it was fortunate Leonard contacted me in time to at least save some part of your holiday.”

“You were? Why?”

Spock looked at him again. “Because I find that I too had emotional involvement.”

It was Jim who arched both brows this time. “Yeah?”

“Yes,” Spock said, softly. “I apologize for it taking me this long to realize it. And I am sorry that you had a fire at your farmhouse.”

“Yeah, it sucked.” Jim stepped closer. “But this doesn’t.”

And he kissed Spock.

****

“Santa came!” Peter squealed, running toward the tree.

Jim exchanged a look with Spock. “Yes, he did.”  

Flash Fic, May 14, 2023

“A day late and a dollar short.”

Or so the saying went, I thought. Something like that.

Mom gave me a funny look whether I got the saying right or not.

I couldn’t entirely blame her. Mother’s Day had been yesterday. I was supposed to make it to take her to a fancy brunch in San Francisco’s Starlight Hotel. We had reservations at 2:00.

She finally texted me she was leaving brunch at 3:30. She’d had it…by herself.

“I’m really sorry,” I told her as I hugged her. “Things got really crazy. The meeting went way too long.” I jingled the small gift bag I held. “A gift card for a spa treatment.”

She took the bag from me but I could tell she wanted to roll her eyes at me. A spa treatment wasn’t really her thing, but she stuffed it into her purse. “Thank you, honey.”

“Want to go to dinner?” I offered, somewhat lamely.

“Have you got time?”

“I’ll make time.” I linked my arm with hers and turned her so that she was walking down the street with me. “How does Carlos’ sound?”

“Mm. Good. I love Mexican food. No Spock?”

“Sometimes the whole mother thing gets to him,” I admitted. “He really misses her even though he tries to pretend it doesn’t mother him that much. He was having a video conference with Sarek.”

“That’s good. How are things going with you two? Are things okay?”

We’d reached Carlos’ so I opened the door for her to go in before me.

“Yeah. I mean he’s still a little weird about the whole PF thing.” I grinned. “I told him I was fine but…”

“He worries.”

“Yeah. I don’t think it’ll take him the whole next seven years but you never know. He’s not always as logical as he thinks.” I laughed then and held up two to the hostess who then led us to a table.

After we settled and we’d both ordered margaritas, she reached for my hand and squeezed it.

“I’m very happy to see you. It’s been a long time.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better. And Happy Belated Mother’s Day.”

“Definitely better late than never.”

And after a while, maybe the margaritas helped, we got a little less stiff and awkward and begain to get easier with each other. I still felt bad about brunch and Spock not coming along and probably the spa gift card, but it was good.We were good.

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Jimmy.”


Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

March 19, 2023 Flash Fic (birthday)

As promised here is the birthday hurt/comfort for Kris. This will count as Monday’s hurt/comfort because I don’t wanna write another one yet LOL. For those of you no doubt clamoring, yes, I will uplpoad to AO3 at some point (wow that was presumptuous of me thinking you would clamor)

And Happy Birthday

Jim moved slowly around his quarters, but at least they were his quarters instead of the medbay. He’d spent too many days there after another very close brush with death.

It had been a near thing. Jim knew that from Bones’ very grim face when treating him and afterward when allowing him to finally leave.

He’d heard all about how between the super blood and Spock’s intervention of the meld, Jim had finally pulled through.

Jim was relieved. He wasn’t ready to die. He’d only recently started his relationship with Spock, a loving, special, important one. To put it mildly.

Everyone was treating Jim very carefully and with a little bit of awe. He knew why. He’d saved the day for all of them and got almost killed in the process, but to Jim it was a group effort. Always.

Even Uhura had given him a long, tight hug in the medbay.

But…seemingly absent was Spock.

Oh he knew Spock had saved him. Pulled him from the brink with an exhausting meld that had likely taken a mental and physical toll on the Vulcan. But that had been forty-eight hours ago and he hadn’t seen Spock since.

Jim was growing concerned.

Dressed casually in pajama bottoms and a t-shirt, he stood by the replicator trying to decide whether he should go for something healthy or something like comfort food when there was a buzz at his door.

“Come.”

He was ‘off-duty’ for a few more days but Jim knew a captain was truly never off duty.

And speaking of…

Spock stepped inside his quarters. He frowned in concern when he spotted Jim by the replicators.

“I was given to understand you would be resting in bed.”

“I know. I told Bones that. But I’m hungry.”

“Get into bed,” Spock said, making it sound like a cross between an order and a plea. “I will bring the food to you.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Actually it is. What do you desire?”

The truth as to why you abandoned me for the last two days, Jim thought, but he kept that thought to himself and turned to go to his bed. After he got situated, with the sheets and blankets wrapped around him, and pillows propped at the headboard, he said, “Macaroni and cheese.”

Yes, he went for the comfort food. He could eat a damn salad when he was cleared to be on the bridge. He’d almost died, so yes, he wanted to have a treat.

Spock brought him a big bowl of it, looked like a double portion, and made with white cheese like Jim preferred. And maybe it was because he still was injured but the thought that Spock had done that for him made his eyes prick with tears.

“Thanks,” he managed to get out with his voice only wavering a little.

Spock fussed with his pillows and blankets for a moment before finally bringing a chair over to sit and observe Jim.

“What’s on your mind, Spock?” Jim asked, when neither one of them could stand it any longer.

Spock was quiet for a while, uncharacteristically staring at his hands instead of looking at Jim.

Jim began to get nervous. Had Spock decided he didn’t love Jim after all? Should he ask?

“You…you did not tell me you had a…intimate relationship with…Ambassador Spock,” his Vulcan said haltingly.

Jim pursed his lips and set the half-eaten bowl of macaroni and cheese aside for the moment. He hadn’t exactly lost his appetite, but this needed his full attention.

“You found that out through the meld?”

Spock nodded. “It was not my intention to pry.”

“No, I know. I never would think that, Spock.” He sighed. “I really love you. Are we going to be okay?”

Spock looked a little startled at Jim’s words but after a moment, he said, “What happened in the past has no direct bearing on our future.”

Jim clenched the blankets and twisted them in his fists. “Is that a yes?”

“There is nothing you can say or do or explain or think that will make my love for you not exist, Jim. I am completely committed to you for the rest of whatever time is left for us.”

Jim exhaled slowly. “It wasn’t…I didn’t actively hide it from you, but it also didn’t seem necessary for you to know. After I…after Khan, he came to see me in the hospital during my recovery. Once you had determined I was going to be okay, well, you went back to your own live and your own relationship with Uhura.”

“Jim, I—”

“We’ve both made peace with that, Spock. I know you love me and have for some time. I get…insecure sometimes, but, yeah I do know. We’re what we are now because we want to be together and that’s the best thing ever. But then, you were with Nyota, and I just…I needed something you couldn’t give me then. He could. And more importantly, he wanted to give it to me. It was as much for him as it was for me. He missed his Jim and I wanted my Spock and we became for each other this incredible thing and incredible time and it was just…it was great.”

Spock seemed to take this in. “I am glad you were able to have some comfort there but am still surprised that you didn’t tell me. More recently when we became intimate ourselves.”

“I guess part of me wanted to keep it as a secret for myself.” Jim shook his head. “It was a great time for us. For him. For me. And logically it ended when it had to.”

“I grieve with you for your loss when he passed. Even then you did not let on.”

Jim nodded. “I knew he was dying before he did. He’d sent me word, given what had been between us at one time, I said my goodbye to him in happier times. We both felt that was better, but I did know he was weakening. I loved him. And I don’t regret our time together. But the future, my future, is with you.”

“As is mine with you. I understand, I believe. And I cannot really find fault with his desire to spend what time he had left with you. I am glad you found happiness together.” Spock paused. His gaze was intense as he looked at Jim. “But I am even more glad that you now find your happiness with me.”

Jim smiled, feeling love and warmth bubble up inside him. He held out a hand toward Spock. “Come here.”

“Your injuries—”

“Just come and lie with me, holding me. You can’t hurt me. You won’t.”

A moment later, Spock joined him on the bed, and under the covers, holding Jim close. He put his fingers lightly on Jim’s face, more a caress, than a meld, but he felt Spock’s overwhelming love for him, and it went  a long way toward Jim knowing they would be all right.

June 12, 2022 Flash

It’s wedding month so you get an extra flash

Enjoy!

“Would you care to dance?”

Jim was startled by the question. He’d been going over reports on his PADD. He was behind as usual. Why were there so many anyway?

He glanced down at the reports.

“Don’t really have much time.”

“It will not take long. I understand you like the song that they are about to play.”

Jim raised both brows. “Yeah? What song is that?”

“Almost Paradise.”

Jim chuckled. “Uh, yeah. Someone’s pulling your chain.”

“Do you want to dance or not?”

Jim shoved his PADD into a bag. ”Sure it’s your dime.”

“My…dime?”

Jim slid out of the booth. “Come on.”

He moved over to the dance floor of the establishment. The one who asked him followed and put his arm around Jim pulling him close.

“You are on shore leave.”

“Mm. I still have a ton of work to do.”

The song began to play as Spock pulled him even closer, leaning into him.

I thought that dreams belonged to other men
‘Cause each time I got close
They’d fall apart again

I feared my heart would beat in secrecy
I faced the nights alone
Oh, how could I have known
That all my life I only needed you?

Oh almost paradise
We’re knockin’ on heaven’s door
Almost paradise
How could we ask for more?
I swear that I can see forever in your eyes
Paradise

Jim’s heart raced as he lifted his gaze to Spock’s.

“Do you see forever?” Spock asked.

“Is this some sort of proposal?” Jim was half-joking.

“Yes.”

His eyes widened. “What?”

It seems like perfect love’s so hard to find
I’d almost given up
You must have read my mind

And all these dreams I saved for a rainy day
They’re finally coming true
I’ll share them all with you
‘Cause now we hold the future in our hand

“What is your answer?”

Jim moved in for Spock’s kiss.

“Yes. I say yes.”

Flash Fic, May 29, 2022

Photo by Expect Best on Pexels.com

Jim had no idea why he was there. It was stupid and pointless. He knew that.

After he had returned to his time, without Spock, he’d gone to Spock’s apartment and found all that Spock had left behind. Even now it was empty, not rented by anyone else, because Spock had, apparently paid the rent well in advance, not wishing to bother with it. He’d been gone a year, and yet according to Jim’s now former apartment manager, the place was still leased for another six months.

Jim came there to this apartment in San Francisco every once in a while.  Just to remind himself of Spock and yes, he knew it was crazy.

Here he was again. Just sitting on the couch, staring into space, wishing for something he couldn’t have.

He’d made himself coffee with the coffeemaker Spock bought for him. And that hurt his heart, to remember that.

When he came here, he brought food with him, cream for his coffee, and just soaked it up, he guessed.

Jim was pretty sure his dad understood. But he knew he got strange looks from Sam and his mom. Once Sam told him that he needed to move on and find love elsewhere, but Jim knew that wasn’t going to happen. Not for him.

Sometimes, Jim tried to reach Spock with his mind but nothing ever happened, and he knew Spock had somehow “shielded” things between them anyway.

Hope sprang eternal or so the saying claimed but he was fast losing any hope he’d ever had, which admittedly hadn’t been much.

With another six months on the lease here, Jim had to make the decision whether to continue coming or just give up. He’d never been one to give up before, but this situation was different. Spock was in the future and for all Jim knew he had forgotten there was any past.

I do not belong there, in your time.

Spock had made his position pretty clear. And he’d also made sure to have Jim go back to his time. Perhaps Spock paid more attention to Sarek than Jim thought he would.

He leaned his head back against the couch.

“This is stupid. You’re an idiot. Coming here for an entire year to an empty place that doesn’t even have a trace of Spock in it.”

Jim had spoken out loud.

There was no response, of course.

****

Jim woke in the dark sometime later, stretched out on his back on Spock’s bed. Next to the bed, on the floor, was an empty pizza box. Jim had pathetically stuffed his face before lying down.

He had no idea what had awakened him, so he stayed still, listening. It was pitch black and he couldn’t see a thing. He’d left his cell phone on the table by the bed, so he reached blindly for it and activated it so he’d have a light.

He found a text from Sam.

Hey, are you doing okay?

It came through hours ago. He’d call Sam in the morning.

After a bit, he closed his eyes again, not able to figure out what woke him.   

He slept again fitfully.

When he woke again, it was to fingers stroking across his face.

Jim blinked rapidly.

“Shh. T’hy’la, it is all right.”

One more to go, either tomorrow or Tuesday…we will see.

Mother’s Day Flash, May 08, 2022

Photo by George Dolgikh @ Giftpundits.com on Pexels.com

It was evening now and Winona was trying not to be disappointed she hadn’t heard from Jim. That morning she’d gotten a message from Sam, his wife, Aurelan, and their son, Peter from Deneva where they were living.

But not a word from her baby.

She knew he was in space on a starship likely out of contact with Earth, but it was Mother’s Day and she was missing him.

So she took out a pint of strawberry swirl ice cream and she ate directly from the carton.

She  didn’t get to hear from Jim often. He was an important captain in Starfleet, sent on many missions to save millions of lives. He’d called her on her birthday and before that on his. She never heard from him at holiday time.

Winona thought she should be used to it but she wasn’t really. And it had been even longer since she’d seen him in person. He’d been in a hospital in San Francisco after receiving some injury he wouldn’t give her details about. She’d heard the name Khan whispered by that doctor friend of his. And saw his Vulcan first officer standing sentinel by his side. She didn’t really know anything else.

But she’d gotten to hold him for a full ten minutes.

The door bell rang as she was about to finish off her ice cream and she went to the door slowly. She guessed she was getting a flower delivery, probably courtesy of Jim. He’d asked someone to ask someone to ask someone to get flowers to her.

It was something, anyway, though she would rather hear his voice.

There was a knock this time as she reached for the knob.

“Okay, Okay. Keep your shirt on.”

Winona opened the door and there he was.

Her baby.

She burst into tears as he pulled her close and held her.

The best Mother’s Day ever.

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

Happy Mother’s Day out there in the US. It’s a sad day for me. We lost Ma a year ago in May (21) and last year was the last Mother’s Day with her, though in all honesty she wasn’t very alert even then.

I thought I’d write this little extra flash.  

O Tannenbaum

Advent Day 19

“It is illogical for us to be obtaining a Christmas tree when we do not normally celebrate Christmas,” Spock’s father told his wife, Amanda, Spock’s mother, as they arrived at the tree lot to do just that.

Spock’s father, Sarek, a full Vulcan celebrated nothing. Spock’s mother had been born and raised Jewish but as far as Spock could tell, she likewise celebrated nothing.

Yet here they were.

“Susan converted to her husband, Tom’s religion and they do celebrated Christmas,” Mother said as they passed through the open gate.

Susan was Mother’s sister and Spock’s aunt. They were on Earth at present in San Francisco near the Federation Head Quarters. Aunt Susan and Uncle Tom lived there and at present Spock and his parents were staying with them.

“I told Susan we would get the tree for them,” Mother continued.

Spock was aware that his father knew all this and yet Sarek chose to complain anyway, which Spock found most illogical. A part of marriage, his mother would have told him had he asked.

Spock had decided some time ago he had no intention of ever being married.

“Spock, why don’t you look around and see if you can find a tree? As soon as you find one you like, come and get us and we’ll take it home.”

“I can choose the tree?” Spock decided to clarify the point.

“Yes.” Mother smiled. “There’s a stand over there selling hot cocoa. I’m going to make your father buy me one.”

Spock nodded. “Very well.”

Spock walked away from his parents and down the next aisle. He quickly noticed two Human boys on the same aisle. One was about his age, but the other was a few years younger and wore some sort of elaborate Christmas tree costume. On the top of the boy’s head was a star and only his face and feet were uncovered by a giant fabric tree upon which glittery applique ornaments had been glued.

“You look ridiculous,” the older boy said.

Spock had to agree.

But the boy noticeably deflated and his bottom lip trembled.

“Oh don’t cry,” the older boy snapped. “You had to know how stupid you would look in that dumbass costume when you chose to wear it, Jim. Why Mom agreed to let you wear it when we came to get a tree is beyond me.”

“Because she made it, Sam. It was for the pageant at school.”

“I know what it was for. I just don’t know why you had to be such a dork as to wear it tonight.”

“Because we were coming for a tree and I thought it would be funny.”

Sam grimaced. “Well, it’s not. It just makes you look stupid. I’m going over to the next aisle so no one sees me with you. Don’t follow me.”

“Sam—”

And the older boy left the younger one standing there by himself. For a moment the young boy did nothing, just stared at the ground. His cheeks were so red, Spock feared he might have a fit.

When Spock took a few steps closer, he noticed a single tear had fallen onto the boy’s cheek. And he realized then that he not only did not agree with the bully “Sam”, he actually hated the other boy.

The young boy suddenly looked up and Spock saw that he had the bluest eyes Spock had ever seen. And they were…beautiful, even as they glistened with tears.

“Uh.”

“I am sorry I overheard that other Human picking on you.”

“That’s my brother,” he said. “I’m used to it. He doesn’t like me.”

“He is a fool. My name is Spock.”

“J-Jim.”

“Hello, Jim.” Spock held out his hand. “Come with me.”

Jim frowned though he put his hand in Spock’s. “To where?”

“I was told that I could choose any tree on the lot,” Spock explained. “I have chosen you.”

“Me?”

“You are a tree, are you not?”

“Well…”

“Spock? Oh there you are.” Mother came down the aisle toward them. She smiled widely at Jim. “Oh who is this?”

“His name is Jim and he is the tree I have chosen.”

Mother actually laughed. “Hello, Jim. Spock, Jim is a boy, not a tree.”

“But he is dressed as one and you said—”

“Jim! James Tiberius! Where are you?”

Jim’s eyes widened and he dropped Spock’s hand. “That’s my mommy.”

Suddenly a blonde Human woman appeared together with the bully “Sam”. “There you are. Don’t get separated from the family.” She glanced at Spock and his mom. “And you shouldn’t bother other people.”

“He’s not bothering us,” Mother assured her.

The woman smiled. “Oh, well, good. But we do have to go. Say goodbye to your friends, Jim.”

“K. Bye Spock and lady.”

Spock nearly took hold of an ornament on Jim’s tree to pull him back, but at that moment, Mother put her hand on his shoulder and stopped him. They watched the Humans walk away.

“Spock? What’s gotten into you? You know you can’t keep another child.”

Spock nodded. “Yes. But I have not chosen another tree.”

“I know. It’s all right. Your father has found one. Let’s go.”

Spock trailed after but he did not forget the Human boy dressed as a tree and in fact he was certain he would meet that boy again some day. He was right.    

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