Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Amanda sighed slightly. “Long ago my son did as he pleased with no regard to what either myself or my husband said.”
“Still…wouldn’t it bother you? Never to see him again?”
“Whatever the circumstances my son finds himself in, what matters to me is his contentment. I can see, as I said, that my son values his bond with you very much. He isn’t going to find it easy to part from you.”
“And if this healer decides he’s wrong, what then?”
“Do you think Spock cares for you only because he believes you have the T’hy’la bond?”
Jim frowned. Thought about it. “No.”
She smiled. “I believe you have your answer regarding what my son intends to do.”
“Your husband would fight it.”
“Most certainly. But the thing is, Sarek doesn’t always get his way.” She leaned back in her chair. “And what about you, Jim? Would you consider staying here on Vulcan in your future?”
“I don’t know,” Jim replied. “My family is very important to me. If I came here, I’d not be able to see them again, right?”
She hesitated. “Probably not.”
“I can’t put them through thinking I just disappeared one day and never know what happened to me. I’ve seen that happen to families on the news and stuff, and I couldn’t let that hurt them like that. But on the other hand, having Spock stay with me in my time would hurt him.”
“There’s no easy answer, I agree.”
Just then Spock and Sarek returned with a Vulcan woman.
Jim stood up. “Have they figured out how to help my dad yet?”
“Not yet, Jim. They are working hard at it though. This is T’Pau, sh is an elder here, and trained in healing and an expert at bonds.”
Jim glanced at her. She was studying him with barely disguised derision.
“You name this outworlder T’hy’la?” She turned to Spock.
“I do.”
T’Pau looked at Jim again. “You are from ancient Earth.”
“It’s not ancient to me. It’s just home.”
Apparently, she didn’t like that as she made an even more pronounced prune face.
“”If you will step forward with Spock, I will examine your minds.”
Jim’s gaze went to Spock, who gave a slight nod.
He blew out a breath. He’d rather deal with all this after finding out about his dad, but apparently that wasn’t going to happen.
So he stepped over to where Spock stood and let the Vulcan approach, with her hands extended toward each of them.
Her left hand landed on his face while her right hand was on Spock’s. Spock closed his eyes, so Jim did the same.
T’Pau said nothing, but Jim did feel a bit of pressure in his head, like having a sinus infection or something. It could have lasted a minute or thirty, he wasn’t sure because he sort of lost awareness.
“Jim.”
Spock spoke softly and Jim opened his eyes. She no longer had her hand on his face and the pressure was gone. He blinked rapidly.
“Well?”
“There is no mistake,” she declared. “They are bonded. They have the ancient warrior bond.”

Later after they’d eaten lunch, Sam took Jim aside,
“I know this is sudden and really short notice, especially since you have Spock with you, but maybe it would better if you stayed the night?” Sam shook his head. “I don’t know, I just…I’m unsettled a bit.”
“If you’re unsettled, things have to be bad. Why don’t we get him to the hospital now?” Jim asked.
“He’s stubborn and doesn’t want to go. And he spoke to his cardiologist and thinks that’s good enough until he sees him tomorrow.” Sam pinched the bridge of his nose. “I could set up a room for the two of you.”
“I’ll need to talk to him because he has work. I can probably call and get a substitute.” Jim’s stomach flipped. “Worst case scenario, I’ll drive him back to San Francisco and then drive back up here.”
“I hate to make you do that, but I’d really like you to be here, kiddo.”
“And I want to be. When did this all start?”
“He seemed a little weak Friday, but nothing too concerning. Same for most of yesterday, but last night he started showing signs of it.”
Jim glanced toward the living room. “This isn’t it, is it, Sam?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Sam admitted. “You know when he was young his chest got crushed when the wall fell on him. The doctors think that did some damage to his heart even back then that nobody paid any attention to until later in life. They concentrated on his collapsed lung instead. I don’t know. Some part of me realizes we’re lucky to have him this long.”
“Yeah okay. I’m going to go talk to Spock and the contact the university.”
Jim ended up taking Spock outside to a garden area his mom usually tended to so they could have some privacy.
He explained everything to Spock, who remained silent until Jim had finished.
“I’m sorry this is so crazy and unexpected. I’ll drive you back to San Francisco and the come back here.”
“I am able to make my own hours at the Institute,” Spock replied. “To be honest I am only working there in an effort to find a way back to my own time and universe. This far I have not been successful. But at the moment, I would rather be here, supporting you.”
Jim didn’t quite give into the relief he felt yet. Because he wanted to make sure. “Really? I don’t want to make things difficult for you.”
Spock pulled him close. “This entire situation we find ourselves in is difficult. But you are my T’hy’la and I don’t wish to be parted from you.”
Jim blew out a breath. “Okay.”

“This is nice,” Jim said a few days later, on Friday, when they decided to go out to a restaurant together.

It was one that would accommodate Spock’s vegetarian tastes as well as Jim’s not so much. He was used to Nyota’s eating requirements, and going to “health food” places, but at least this one was just a nice restaurant.

On the way there, and all the way to their table in the back, Spock kept his knitted cap on the cover his ears. Jim felt bad that he felt the need to wear it, but on the other hand, he also knew how people were.

Once at the table though, Spock did remove it.

“They have my family’s Cabernet Sauvignons here. I’m thinking of getting a bottle. Would you have some?”

“I don’t drink wine.”

Jim smiled. “Do you drink blood?”

“I beg your pardon?”

He laughed and shook his head. “Dracula. You know, from the movies. He’d sometimes say that. Like Frank Langella from the 70s,  I think.”

Spock shook his head.

“No? Okay, well.” Jim just smiled.

“Unknown references notwithstanding, Jim, I do not normally drink red wine, but since it’s from your family’s vineyard I am willing to do so.”

“Good.”   

When their waiter came, and he started staring at Spock, Jim gave him the stink eye and the waiter quickly looked away and covered.

“We’ll have a bottle of the Kirk Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon.”

The waiter nodded. “Coming right up.”

“Is this okay?” Jim asked. “I mean I know going out was my idea. I just thought it might be nice for kind of a real date.”

“It is perfectly fine, Jim.” Spock paused. “And it is nice.”

“But?”

“Why do you assume there’s a bit?”

He sighed. “There’s always a but.”

The waiter arrived with the bottle and poured even for Jim to sample. Of course he was quite familiar with the taste.

“Great, thanks.”

The waiter poured them both wine in their glasses and Jim sent him away while they continued to look at the menu.

“You don’t mind if I get a steak, do you?”

“Of course not. You may order whatever you want.”

“What are you thinking of?”

“Possibly the pasta primavera.”

“Good choice. If you like veggies.” Jim laughed again.

“I do.” Spock’s lips curved and he took a sip of the wine. “While I am not entirely familiar with everything wine is supposed to be, this is pleasant enough.”

“I’m glad you think so. It’s Dad’s pride and joy.”

“You mentioned a but.”

“Right. Just…I don’t know. Does it seem strange or even stupid to go out on a dinner date when you’re going home to Massachusetts soon?”

“Massachusetts,” Spock repeated softly.

“That’s where Vulcan is, right?”

Spock nodded. “Yes, it is East of here.”

“Every time I get involved with someone I end up liking, well, something happens that ends things. In your case, obviously, you’re getting out of dodge.”

“Getting out of—”

Jim waived that away. “Another saying. It means leaving.”

The waiter hovered nearby and Jim gestured him over. They made their orders and then Jim waited for him to leave again.

“It seems to me,” Jim continued. “That this is all kind of a waste of time on something that doesn’t really have a future.”

“I know and I am sorry.”

He nodded. “But I like you so much, I can’t seem to help myself with waiting the time anyway. When you leave, I’m going to…well feel pretty crappy to be honest.”

“It will be the same for me.”

Jim reached over and took Spock’s hand. “Somehow that doesn’t make me feel much better.”