It was hard to believe they’d celebrated his last birthday on Altamid and now it was nearly a year later, and he was attending a New Year’s Eve gathering. A tradition that Federation had adapted all those years ago when it had been founded.
Jim had his own memories of New Year’s Eve over the years. Some pleasant and some not so pleasant.
This time it just reminded him he was still in limbo. The Enterprise wasn’t ready and his life was delayed.
He was outside on a patio that had been decorated for this kind of thing. Gold and silver, balloons, garlands, glittering lights, champagne pyramids. All very classy.
Across from where he had temporarily placed himself stood Uhura with her new very close friend. A few months back, Uhura and Spock had ended things seemingly for good, but if Jim had anticipated anything changing, he was disappointed.
Bones walked over to him and handed him a flute of champagne. “You look miserable. You used to love parties.”
“Hmm. I can’t wait for the ball to drop on this one. I’m tired and cranky and look forward to sleeping all day tomorrow.”
Bones smirked. “First you have to play Chekov’s game.”
Jim groaned and glanced over towards Chekov who wore a tuxedo of all things and had Yeoman Martha Landon on his arm. Yeoman Landon wore a tight sparkly silver ball gown. They made a very attractive couple.
“He’s doing that again?”
“Yep.” Bones patted Jim’s arm. “He’s about to start.”
“Attention, attention,” Chekov spoke into a mike. “This year’s game vill be different than last year’s. My beautiful Martha vill draw a name out of this top hat and then that person vill be asked a question based on this prompt in this other hat.” Chekov paused. “Does everyone got that? Does anyone have any questions?”
“Yes,” Jim spoke up. “Executive officers are exempt, right?”
“Jim,” Bones muttered.
“Captain!” Uhura admonished.
“Fine. But at least the captain should be exempt.”
“All in good fun, laddie.”
“This is stupid,” Jim groused.
“Play along,” Bones told him.
Jim clamped his mouth shut.
Yeoman Landon pulled a name and handed it to Chekov.
“Keptin Kirk,” he announced, rather gleefully. She handed him another slip. “Oh! This is good. If there was one thing you could ask Commander Spock vhat vould it be?”
Jim looked around for Spock and saw him standing somewhat close to Uhura and her new partner. Jim shrugged.
“Are you a cuddler, Spock?”
Spock looked blank. “What?”
Jim spoke louder. “Are you a cuddler?”
“I do not understand the question.”
Jim snorted. “You understand. In bed…do you like to cuddle?”
“Jim,” Bones said in a low warning voice.
“You know…whatever.” He downed his champagne and handed the empty glass to Bones. “I’m not in the mood.”
He turned and went back inside.
“Jim! Captain.”
He turned to face Spock who had followed him. “What?”
“Are you all right? You seem…unhappy.”
Jim shook his head and kept walking. “It’s nothing.”
Spock grabbed his arm and stopped his forward motion. “It is not nothing.”
“It’s just…nothing has changed. I’ve been here a year. Nothing has changed. And Carol…”
Spock frowned. “Carol Marcus? What about her?”
“She just got married.”
“I was unaware you were following her life.”
“I’m not. I wasn’t. I mean…once we were…there was a chance.” Jim stopped and shook his head. “Never mind.”
“You were in love with her?”
“No. Not really. I really liked her. Once. We were going to give it a try but…it’s hard to fall in love with someone when you already love someone else.”
Spock seemed to consider this and for a moment Jim though maybe he’d ask if Carol loved someone else then which would certainly be the safe thing to say. To ask.
“You loved someone else when you thought about a relationship with her?”
“Yes. And I don’t really resent the fact she’s found someone and is happy. I don’t. But it just reminds me that I still haven’t moved on from the unrequited love I’ve felt for…years. It’s just…it’s making it just a little hard to think another year is passing me by.” Jim blew out a breath. “It’s not your problem, Spock, and I apologize for what I said out there. I need time to myself.”
“I do not think that wise, Jim. And besides…I have something to discuss with you that I think you may find of great interest.”
“You’re looking unexpectedly chipper this morning,” Bones grouched the next morning when he met Jim for brunch.
“Afternoon, actually.” Jim grinned. “I’m feeling pretty good, too. You look a bit worse for wear though.”
Bones grumbled. “What happened to you last night? You disappeared.”
“I found out the answer to my question.”
“Your question?”
Jim smiled. “Spock’s a cuddler.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 