“Well be-bop-a-lula, she’s my baby Be-bop-a-lula, I don’t mean maybe Be-bop-a-lula, she’s my baby Be-bop-a-lula, I don’t mean maybe Be-bop-a-lula, she’s my baby doll My baby doll, my baby doll”
“Please explain the meaning of these words.”
Jim stopped dancing around the kitchen to stare at the Vulcan boy who stood just outside the dance floor—er kitchen.
“Vanik. Spock let you in?”
Vanik hesitated before answering. “I obtained entry via Spock…yes.”
Jim nodded. “Nothing really. I mean it’s just a silly song. From a long time ago.”
“What are you doing, Jim?”
“Baking dinner rolls.”
The boy nodded. “That explains the delicious smell. What are we having?”
Jim laughed. “Sorry, kid. You can’t come this time. It’s an adult dinner. We’re having roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cheesecake.”
“And dinner rolls,” Vanik replied. “Very well. I understand there are times adults need to do things without the interference of minors. What is Uncle Spock eating?”
“A quinoa dish formed into the mold of a chicken.”
“You are jesting.”
“No, I swear.” Jim laughed again and held up his hands. “It’s going to be delicious. I think. Anyway. He’ll say it is.”
“Of that I am certain. He has finally learned his lesson not to say something that would threaten the very good thing he has going with you.”
“Did he say that?”
“Indeed.” Vanik paused. “Actually Father did and Uncle Spock agreed. Do you know what today is?”
“Uh.”
“June 01.”
“Right. Yes.”
“And the significance?”
“You got me there, Vanik. Your birthday?”
“Certainly not. My birthday is in the month of September. A month from July.”
Jim turned to look in the oven when his timer went off. “Yep. July follows June.”
“We have that time to decide what to do for the Christmas in July festivities.”
Jim straightened and looked over his shoulder. “Are we still doing that?”
“Why would we not?”
“Well. Aren’t you getting tired of it?”
“Hardly. I look forward to it each year.”
“Vanik.”
They both turned to see Spock standing behind the boy.
“Uncle Spock, I greet you.”
Jim frowned. “Did you just get in?”
“Yes.”
“I thought Vanik said you let him in.”
“I did not. Did you use my code again?” Spock shook his head. “It is time to change it again.”
“Anyway,” Vanik said loudly, after clearing his throat. “I believe, as Humans say, that is my cue to leave. Do not forget what we discussed.”
Jim watched the kid leave and then kissed Spock. “I greet you,” he said with a laugh and a wink.
Jim was resplendent when a short time later he appeared before Spock dressed and ready for their renewal ceremony. Somehow he’d obtained, Spock imagined by contacting McCoy, the embroidered robes he’d worn when they formally bonded all those years ago on New Vulcan.
“You are beautiful.”
Jim gave him a doubtful look. “Yeah? I mean It’s just a tad tight around the stomach. I guess I put on a few pounds in these last fifteen or so years.”
“Not many. You are quite fit.”
Jim smiled. “I’m more gray too. By a lot.”
“We all age, Jim.”
“Not you. Look at you. You look the same. I’m jealous.”
Spock shook his head. “You are stubborn as ever. You are magnificent and everyone knows it. Do I have the doctor to thank for sending our robes here?”
“Uh-huh. I contacted him right after I talked to T’Merr.”
“That is the priestess?”
“Yes. She’s ready anytime we are.”
“Are there to be guests?”
“Nope. I decided to make it private. Just you and me. Well her too obviously.” Jim looked uncertain. “That’s okay, right? Or should I have invited our friends?”
“I am content with just us,” Spock assured him. He took Jim’s hand in his. “Shall we?”
Jim leaned in to kiss him. “She’s waiting for us in the private garden.”
Hand in hand, the two of them walked out to the suite’s private garden area where Spock saw the Vulcan Priestess waiting for them. He didn’t remember ever seeing her before but she looked young.
“Spock, this is T’Merr. And this is Spock.”
She greeted Jim with warmth in her eyes and then turned to Spock. “I have heard much about you, Spock. I am familiar with your sire.”
Spock acknowledged this and couldn’t help nut murmur, “It is unusual to find a Vulcan Priestess on Risa.”
“Indeed. I suppose it is unusual to find a Vulcan at all,” she returned. “I am currently on sabbatical.” She paused. “A crisis of logic.”
“Fascinating.”
“I assure you I still quite trained and capable of this, however, or I certainly would not have agreed when your very charming mate asked.”
“My mate is persuasive.”
Spock was surprised when she chuckled. “As fascinating as I find him, I am well aware of your T’hy’la bond and how sacred it is. While predictable your jealousy is unfounded.”
“Hmm.”
Jim laughed right with her. “She’s got your number. And don’t worry, Spock, I’m all yours.”
He gave his mate a disgruntled look but then moved to stand beside Jim and before the Priestess.
After a moment, she put her hands on each of their faces. “You may begin.”
“Spock, I commit myself to you body, mind and soul,” Jim spoke flawless Vulcan.
“Jim, I commit myself to you body, mind and katra.”
T’Merr closed her eyes. “As it comes down from the beginning without change, this is the Vulcan heart, this is the Vulcan soul.”
Very slowly she lowered her hands from their faces. She folded them in front of her.
“I am honored to experience such a strong and worthy bond. Fortune smiles upon you.”
Spock arched a brow at her flowery, illogical words, but he nodded.
“Now, I will leave you to mark the occasion as you see fit.”
She departed in something of a willowy cloud and Jim turned to Spock, grabbing his hands.
“Thank you for that, T’hy’la,” Spock whispered.
“You are welcome. I thought, after everything, after our Pon Farr, after these years together, it would be nice.”
“And it was.” He glanced toward their suite. “We have one more night here. Perhaps we ought to go inside and mark the occasion as T’Merr suggested.”
Jim laughed. “I love the way you think.”
“Great minds, T’hy’la. Great minds.”
We will see these two one more time on January 31st
Spock leaned back in the giant spa tub which seemed vaguely obscene in size. Of course this room had been chosen to be luxurious after their “ordeal”. It wasn’t much of an ordeal, Spock had to admit. He and Jim had been together for so long that they had love making down to a “t” as Jim would say. And Pon Farr was just…a lot of love making. Even their first time, Spock discovered it wasn’t the horror he’d always imagined it to be.
Jim had added many soap bubbles, scented with roses, together with rose petals themselves.
“It feels a bit hedonistic,” Spock admitted.
Jim laughed. “This whole place is. Not just this room, this planet.”
“True. Would you join me?”
Jim’s grin widened. “I’d love to.” He dropped the terry cloth robe he’d pulled on earlier to the floor and then lifted a foot, then leg into the tub to join Spock.
After he was settled into the bubbles with Spock, Spock pulled him close so they could snuggle together in the heated scented water.
“Wish we could have one of these on the Enterprise.”
“I do not think they are considering adding such things to the layout of the ship. Even the captain’s quarters.”
“They totally should. We should have one in each one of our retirement homes.”
Spock considered. “You’ve mentioned retirement before. And more than once recently. Are you actually considering it?”
Jim shrugged against him. “Well. I mean someday, right? And I’d like to be young to enjoy aspects of it.”
“And yet during the admiral’s recent call you indicated you’d be up for another five years.”
“Hmm. Does that bother you? I know I probably should have talked to you first.”
“Being the leader of a starship is your first best destiny. I can hardly argue with that.”
“But you can, you know. This is a partnership.”
“Wherever you are, I belong. If you wish to serve another five years I am amenable.”
Jim smiled faintly. “As long as we both come back alive.”
“There is always that.” Spock wrapped his arms tight around Jim. “Still, this is quite nice. You may be right about having one of these wherever we retire to.”
Jim chuckled. “I’m always right, Mr. Spock.” “If you say so, Captain.” Then he put his fingers on Jim’s jaw to turn his face for a kiss
Jim opened his eyes to see Bones hovering over him with a medical tricorder.
“Hey.”
Bones smiled slightly as he met Jim’s gaze. “Hey yourself. How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good considering. How’s Spock?”
“Unconscious like last time but otherwise fine.”
Jim nodded and licked his lips. “Kinda thirsty.”
“You’re getting fluids currently and I’ll get you some water in a minute. I’ve ordered you some food too which the staff of this here fancy hotel is bringing up any time.” Bones lowered the tricorder. “Your vitals are near normal. But you need food, water, and rest.”
Jim smiled faintly. “Fortunately I’m in a luxury hotel for that. They even have a whirlpool tub.”
Bones nodded. “When you’ve slept some, go ahead and use it. Should help with any sore muscles. I’ve fixed any actual wounds.”
Jim arched a brow. “Were there a lot?”
“Nah, just a few. Nothing too dramatic.”
“How long will Spock be out?”
“I’d say twelve hours or so. I’ve given him fluids too but see that he eats when he wakes, will ya?”
“Of course I will.”
Bones straightened. “There’s the door and your food. I’ll bring it and then, you, after you eat, go to sleep.”
Jim smiled as Bones helped him to sit up in the bed, and got him situated with pillows behind him so he could eat.
Part of him was relieved they’d made it through another Pon Farr. But admittedly, part of him was sorry it was over. He’d heard terrible things about it before their first one. Spock had even been concerned. But it was nothing they couldn’t handle, either of them, and this one had been even easier.
He could see that Spock was in another bed in the hotel room, lying on his stomach, his hair standing on end every which way. But he looked peaceful, the intense desperation having passed.
And as Bones returned with his dinner, Jim felt pretty peaceful too.
Spock had long been used to his husband’s flirting.
Even when they hadn’t been together it had been hard to miss. Back so many years ago, walking side by side, and Jim walking backwards almost to give females attention. It was the start of Spock developing a sort of crush on his then captain (briefly demoted shortly after),which he had assumed would fade with time.
After all crushing on someone with questionable morals was not in his best interests.
Then Jim had died saving them all and Spock’s crush became love.
He did nothing about it for a long time. He had still been convinced that Jim’s flirting was likely a good indicator that he would never be a faithful mate. And he could not deny that Nyota had encouraged that way of thinking.
After he had finally ended things with Nyota for good and actually pursued a relationship with Jim, Spock had learned the truth of Jim’s character. He was nothing like what everyone assumed, Spock included, and in fact he was everything Spock had ever wanted in a faithful, loving mate.
Jim still flirted, of course, but Spock knew it was nothing.
“What?” Jim asked as they stepped inside their San Francisco apartment after a lengthy party. “What’s that look for, honey?”
“You were flirting,” Spock said, reproachfully, but without much heat. In their now twenty-five years together neither of them had ever strayed. When you had perfection why would you?
Jim laughed. “Only a little. And just with, uh, what was that, er, hell, I can’t even remember what she, er, was.”
Spock shook his head, bemused. “And Doctor Flanners?”
His husband gave him a quizzical look. “Who?”
“Tall, thin man with a mustache. Graying hair.”
“I was not flirting with that guy.”
“But I—”
Jim stepped forward and kissed Spock. ”Sorry, babe, but he was interested in you not me.”
“Surely not.”
“Surely so.” Jim laughed. “Just admit you’re a hottie and get over it. Come on, let’s go to bed.”
You’d be surprised how hard it is to find a free picture of an Ugly Christmas sweater without people in it. Impossible. I settled for a hand but I am not satisfied
Leonard was a typical bad patient. He knew he was. But he wasn’t supposed to be in the hospital being treated. He was supposed to treating them.
Then to be in the hospital on what was both Christmas Eve and the sixth day of Hanukkah, well, he was even more annoyed than usual.
He was in the middle of eating a tasteless meal of boiled chicken and baked broccoli. Okay, he guessed it was supposed to be the other way around. Whatever. It was nasty.
And in strolled Kirk. Jim.
Jim was dressed casually in jeans and an ugly Christmas sweater. He carried a poinsettia in a pot, which Leonard guessed was supposed to be for him. His mood soured more.
“What the hell are you bringing me that for?”
Jim, smiling warmly, put the plant on a table on the other side of Leonard’s hospital bed. He seemed, as usual, unfazed by his friend’s ill humor. They’d been pretty much like that their entire lives. Well since meeting like two hundred years or so ago.
“Merry Christmas.” Jim reached into the pocket of his pants and produced a paper bag which he placed on the table by Leonard’s unappetizing meal. “Happy Hanukkah.”
“What’s that?”
“A jelly donut.”
“Thank God.” Leonard grabbed the bag and tore into it, retrieving the oozing fried monstrosity. He took a large bite. “It’s good.”
“Chew, don’t talk with your mouth full.” Jim pulled up a chair and straddled it with the back of the chair toward Leonard. He dangled his arms over it. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen gray chicken, even on the Enterprise.”
“Thanks for this. But not the plant.”
“You don’t like poinsettias?”
“I do. But it implies I’m stuck here when I want to get out.”
Jim sighed. “Hate to break it to you, Bones, but you are. Your doctor’s talking about letting you out maybe a couple days after Christmas.”
“That’s outrageous.”
“You had a myocardial infarction. They want to be careful.”
“Just a tiny one.”
Jim snorted. “There’s no such thing as a tiny heart attack. Not to me anyway. You scared the crap out of me.”
Leonard sighed and nodded. “Sorry about that, kid.”
“Not a kid anymore, Bones. None of us are. I had to clear that sufganiyah.”
“I know. It just stinks being here. And why are you here anyway? Shouldn’t you be with your husband?”
Jim smiled and Leonard knew why. He smiled every time someone called Spock his husband. They’d been bonded close to five years now, but Jim seemed to never get over that they were.
“We’re having dinner with our parents when I leave here.”
“I’ll never get over Sarek and Winona being a thing.”
Jim laughed. “It works for them. For now anyway. I think Spock’s vaguely disapproving but whatever. They seem happy and Sarek’s mentioned bonding.”
“So that’ll make Sarek your father-in-law and your stepfather.”
“Something like that.” Jim rose and moved closer to Bones and took his hand. “Hey, don’t scare me like that.”
“I know, I know,” Leonard grumbled. “I’ll take better care of myself.”
“You do that. And I have a big surprise for you, so don’t freak out.”
“Another poinsettia?”
“Better than that.” Jim bent down and kissed Bones’ forehead. “He’s ready,” he called out.
The door to Leonard’s room opened and a young teenaged girl rushed in.
“Daddy!”
“Joanna,” Leonard whispered.
Jim smiled down at him. “Merry Christmas, Bones.”
And as his daughter threw her arms around him, Leonard saw Jim depart with a wave.
Chris stopped in his tracks and stared at Zach, dumbfounded.
“A what?”
Zach smirked. “A pumpkin latte.” He somehow managed to point at the Starbucks beside them with his shoulder. Chris didn’t know how he shrugged so well, it was a talent.
“There?”
“Yes, Christopher, that’s where they sell them.”
He made a face. “I don’t go in there.”
“I know, you like your little coffee place two blocks from your house. And espresso.”
“Well these big chains are horrible.”
“You go to a grocery store chain for food right?”
Chris shrugged himself. “Only if I absolutely have to. I prefer the little local markets.”
“You’re such a…beatnik.”
He laughed. “Where’d you get that old word from? Hey the sixties called. They want their word back.”
Zach snorted. “Maybe even the fifties. I don’t know. Ma used to use it. Do you mind? I want my coffee!” He made to move to the door, but Chris stubbornly stayed where he was. “Are you planning to wait out here?”
“Why not?”
“Because the paparazzi will eventually notice you trying to look nonchalant while pretending you aren’t and pretty soon you’ll do that dorky ass thing you do where you take a picture of them back with your fingers or hands or whatever.”
“What am I doing with my hand now, Zachary?” Chris asked, flipping him the bird.
Zach just laughed. “Come on. I’ll buy you one.”
“A latte?”
“Whatever you want. They have espresso.”
“Fine. Just this one time.”
“Of course,” Zach murmured, his face Spock blank, as he led the way into the place.
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 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.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 