Flash Fiction Fridays

Flash Fic, 02/21/2020

This one may have you out with pitchforks! LOL

Spock stood to the side, well away from his captain who was leaning in close to speak with Lieutenant Carol Marcus. He was not part of the conversation, and though he could have likely heard if he strained to do so, Spock chose not to eavesdrop.

Marcus appeared to be upset, though she was not crying. After a moment, she shook her head, briefly put her hand on the captain’s arm, then turned and fled in the opposite direction.

Spock had been surprised to see her. She had abruptly aborted her intention to be on the Enterprise after just a few short weeks. There had been rumors, plenty of them, that she had engaged in an ill-fated romance with Captain Kirk. Spock paid little heed to rumors, whether they were true or false.

He hadn’t expected to see her again, so had been surprised when she appeared on Yorktown during their leave to repair, rebuild more accurately, the Enterprise. He was aware that she had monopolized much of their captain’s time since then.

“Uh oh. That didn’t look good.”

He glanced at Nyota who stood next to him.

“You should go see if he’s okay.”

“He appears to be fine, Nyota.”

She sighed. “Spock, that looked intense. Has he told you? Was she intending to get back together with him?”

Spock bristled at this. “He has not said so. It would be illogical for her to believe that she can…”

“Spock. Go and talk to him.”

“But you and I were on our way for tea.”

She rolled her eyes. “With him. Before she stopped him. I can still meet you guys there.” She squeezed his arm. “It’s your duty.”

“As first officer?”

“No. His boyfriend.” She pushed him toward the captain, who still stood there, stiffly, his back to them.

Spock exhaled and approached. “Captain, are you well?”

Jim looked at him, eyes so tumultuous they looked nearly black in his face. “We have a son.”

February 21, 2020

Valentine’s Day Flash 2020

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com

It was not the first time Spock had heard Jim cry out. Generally he was tempted to check on him, but he had never done so since he had not wished to invade his captain’s privacy.

At the moment, they were on a temporary ship, presented to Jim basically to get rid of him because he was driving everyone crazy on Yorktown constantly asking for updates on the Enterprise. It was still far enough out for completion that they decided to send Kirk out before he got too antsy.

The new ship, the Enterprise that was, would no longer have these shared bathrooms between the captain and his first. Spock had seen the layout and each had a large bathroom of their own. The captain had expressed delight over this. As well as the overall expanded quarters.

This temporary ship did not have that, though, and he shared a bathroom still with Kirk.

And there was a particular element to this cry that alarmed Spock to the point that he could not block it out. So, he crossed through their shared bathroom and into the captain’s quarters, uninvited.

Jim, who had obviously been in bed, was now up and pacing the sleeping area of the quarters. He wore only pajama bottoms, no shirt. His hair stood on end and the color of his face was nearly as white as the sheets on the bed.

“Spock?”

“I apologize for the intrusion, Captain, but you did sound distressed and I was quite concerned.”

He stopped his pacing to wrap his arms around himself. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“You did not.” Spock hesitated. “At least not in annoying fashion. I am disturbed only out of concern.”

Jim exhaled and gave Spock a very slight smile. “A really bad dream. Really bad.”

Spock knew that his captain was plagued by such things. He didn’t know how often.

“I tell myself it wasn’t real. But…”

“Would you care to talk about it?”

“Not really, no. It just…it was related to my time on…Tarsus.”

Spock stilled. He recalled that Jim had mentioned he’d been on Tarsus very very briefly when Spock had noticed his reaction to the name Kodos. Jim would not elaborate then. Nor apparently now.

“I grieve with thee.”

Jim ran a hand over his hair. “Thanks. Uh. Yeah.”

“Would you like to go back to bed? Perhaps I can assist you in sleeping?”

“No. No. Not at the moment. Was thinking about…eating.”

The soft, almost strangled way he said it made Spock’s heart squeeze in his side. His gaze went to a display of Valentine Cards on Jim’s desk. He’d forgotten what day it was. There were boxes of chocolates and cookies too.

Spock arched his brow.

Predictably, Jim noticed. He laughed. “Gifts from the crew.”

“Attempting to win your romantic favor?”

“Nah. I don’t think so. Just being nice, I guess.”

Spock stepped over to the gifts. One appeared to be a chocolate cheesecake. “Do you desire to eat some of this?”

Jim walked over. “Probably should since they went to all that trouble.”

“Have they been scanned?”

Jim gave him a wry smile. “You think my crew wants to poison me?”

“For known allergens to your person,” Spock said dryly.

“Oh.” Jim laughed. “No. Not for that. I’m sure it’s fine though.”

Spock was not. “I will scan them.”

“I really need a cup of coffee,” Jim said, moving off to the replicator. “You don’t really need to bother with that, Spock. In fact, why are you even here? Shouldn’t you be with Uhura?”

Pausing in the middle of scanning Jim’s gifts with a tricorder, Spock glanced at him. “Why would I be with Nyota?”

“Because it’s Valentine’s Day, Spock. Some lovers think that’s an important day.”

“Captain, Nyota and I ended our relationship before the events on Altamid.”

“Yeah. But, um, after you were injured and she was rescued, thanks to that necklace, I thought…you two seemed pretty cozy. Bones said you two were together at my party just last month.”

Spock put down his scanner. Shook his head. “Nyota and I remain on good terms as friends, but we have not reunited.”

“No?”

“There is no point to maintaining a relationship with someone when they love someone else.”

“Oh.” Jim nodded. He turned to get his coffee and then with it cradled in his hands, took a sip. “Who does she love then?”

Spock glanced down at all the Valentines on Jim’s desk. The cookies, the candy, the cheesecake, flowers. He wondered how one person could be that blind. But then he knew that Jim didn’t always have the love he should have. Spock hoped he was about to change that.

“I do not know,” Spock replied. “I do not wish to spend Valentine’s Day with her because I would rather spend it with who I am in love with.”

Jim took another sip of his coffee, oblivious to the last. “Yeah? Then why are you in here with me?”

Spock sighed. “I am spending it with the one I am in love with.”

Jim blinked. “Wait. What? What are you saying?”

“I love you.”

Jim set his coffee down and rushed at Spock. He grabbed Spock’s arms, his blue eyes wide with wonder. “Spock…”

“Jim. Be mine?”

February 14, 2020

Flash Fic, 02/07/2020

A little TOS, post-mission, pre-Motion Picture

“Are you going to stop him?”

Jim smiled faintly. “Stop him? No.”

Bones made a frustrated sound. “Why not, Jim? You’re just going to let him walk away? Leave Starfleet? Walk away from you?”

Jim looked at Bones. In the last year of the five year mission, Bones had been looking older, more haggard. They probably all did. The last five years had taken their toll on all of them. He wasn’t at all surprised Bones had announced to him that he planned to retire. He was done with space, he said.

“Yes.”

“I don’t get it, Jim. Why don’t you call him back right now?” Bones grimaced. “I can still see the back of that stupid hobgoblin. With his Vulcan hearing—”

“No, Bones.”

“But don’t you want to tell him how you feel?”

At this Jim deflated some. “I’m guessing he knows and is leaving anyway.”

Bones made an ugly face. “Wait. What? He knows?”

“I’ve not made my feelings a secret for the last year. I can’t give Spock what he wants.”

“Which is?”

“A life devoid of drama and emotions.” Jim shook his head. “That’s not me. We both know it.” Jim shrugged. “So.”

“And what do you intend to do now?” Bones demanded. “If you aren’t going after him.”

“I’m not. Why are you so passionate about it anyway? You’ve never even liked Spock.”

Bones scowled. “Well. I don’t dislike him. And if he made you happy…but now, well, you’re saying he doesn’t?”

Jim put his hand on Bones’ shoulder. “I’m saying, let it go. I’m not going to force Spock to be with me, Bones. And as for me? I have a promotion ceremony to attend.”

“Still can’t believe you’re going to be Admiral Kirk.”

“Me either. But I had little choice. Come on, Bones. There’s time for us to have a drink.” Jim paused. “I really need one.”

February 7, 2020

Flash Fic, 01/24/2020

A prequel…

Jim couldn’t remember feeling this bad ever. Mommy must have been worried too, because despite the fact Mommy’s new boyfriend, Frank, didn’t want to be bothered taking Jim to the hospital, because he told Jim’s mommy that Jim was just faking it for attention. That Jim didn’t want Mommy going out with Frank.

“If you had waited too much longer, I’m not sure he would have made it,” the nice doctor said to Mommy. Jim heard them talking near his bed, trying to be quiet. “He’s very sick.”

They left him alone then, to go talk some more, Jim guessed.

But then a man stood over his bed. One Jim didn’t know. But he was not human, Jim knew. He had pointy ears and dark eyes, that were kind when Jim looked at him.

“Are you a Vulcan?” Jim asked, weakly

“Shh. It is okay. Do not speak.” The Vulcan put his hand on Jim’s face. “You have a fever.”

“Mommy says I’m very sick.”

“You are, Jim. But I am here to help you.”

“Are you a doctor?”

“Something like that.” His finger spread out across Jim’s cheek. “Go to sleep, Jim. When you wake up, you will feel better.”

“But…”

The Vulcan smiled very slightly. “All will be well.”

Jim felt a warmth in cheek that flowed from his skin and seemed to envelope him. And his eyes felt so heavy. The fingers moved from his face as he fell into a deep sleep.

January 24, 2020

Flash Fic, 01/17/2020

A visit with Mom continues (12/29/2019)

Jim was tempted to hold back from returning to the restaurant on Rigel 9 after his, fortunately, brief conversation with Admiral Fremont, just to see Spock sweat some more. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

But in the end, he just couldn’t do it. Spock’s body language was screaming how uncomfortable he was. Jim’s mom was great. She was. But he didn’t want to give Spock any ideas about leaving Jim alone with Sarek.

“Hi there. I’m back.” He stopped at the table with a smile.

Spock gave a very quick nod and was already sliding out of the booth. “In that case, Captain. I will leave you to it.”

Jim was almost mean enough to order him to sit back down, but he actually had a great deal of affection for Spock, so yeah, he let him slip away.

“It was wonderful to meet you, Commander,” Jim’s mom called out after the quickly retreating figure of his first officer.

Jim sat back down. Licked his lips. “Yeah. Um. Where were we?”

“Something about your love life.” She picked up her wine glass and sipped. “You do have one, don’t you?”

“Didn’t you grill Spock on that?”

“Not much time. He’s quite tight lipped. He was all ‘the captain this’ and ‘the captain that’. Didn’t give me anything to go on.”

“I’ll have to thank him,” Jim said with a smirk.

“James Tiberius.”

He laughed. “Well.”

“Is he your something or not?”

“He is,” Jim admitted. “But it’s very very recent, Mom. And he’s very shy.”

“How recent?”

“Nosey much?”

“It’s a mother’s prerogative.”

Jim leaned his chin on his hand. “Right before we got to Rigel 9.”

“You got here yesterday!”

“Yes. So it was the night before.”

“You weren’t kidding about being recent. So…have you…”

“Mom!”

She had the grace to blush. “Well.”

“And don’t say it’s your prerogative.”

“Well.”

Jim cleared his throat and reached for his own drink. “We have.”

She laughed.

“Several times.”

“Jim! I didn’t need to know that much.”

It was his turn to laugh.

She smiled. “It’s so good to see you. And happy.”

He returned her smile. “It’s great to see you too, Mom.”

Then he held his drink toward hers. “Cheers.”

“Cheers.”

January 17, 2020

Cold…Flash Fic January 10, 2020

The first indication that something unusual was wrong was a very loud and sudden sneeze.

Jim turned so fast in his captain’s chair to gape at his first officer, he had to hold on not to fall out.

Sulu and Chekov had also turned around to stare.

Uhura, predictably, was up off her feet and rushing over to him. “Spock? Are you okay?”

He gave every one of them a look of consternation. “I sneezed.”

Jim nodded.

“You never sneeze,” Uhura said. Also predictably, she added, “I shared a bed with you for years and I never once recall you sneezing.”

Jim tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair and counted to ten. Spock, likewise predictable, glanced his way surreptitiously.

Spock glanced back at Uhura. “It is nothing, Nyota.”

Which made Jim turn his chair back around. Jealousy was ridiculous. Jim knew that. Spock wasn’t with Uhura anymore, he was with Jim. Sorta. Recently. Yeah. But, right.

There were no more bridge sneezes, but after their shift when they were standing near the replicators to get food, Spock sneezed again.

This time Bones was with them and he narrowed his eyes.

“I heard about that.”

Spock, wiggling his nose, peered at Bones. “Heard about what?”

“You sneezing.”

“I had one sneeze.”

“And this is the second,” Jim pointed out.

“You’re sick.” Bones poked a finger at Spock’s chest.

“I am not. Please do not touch me.”

Jim rolled his eyes at Spock. “If I hear even one more sneeze out of you, mister, you’re reporting to the medbay.”

“Captain, that is hardly…”

Jim gave him a quelling look and Spock closed his mouth.

Dinner passed without further incidents, but later, in Jim’s quarters, while he was bent over trying to set up the chess set he heard a peculiar noise out of his Vulcan. Well, not his. Not yet. Or sorta. Maybe.

Jim straightened and turned to stare at Spock with his captain look again. “That wasn’t you trying to suppress a sneeze, was it?”

“Would I do that?”

Not exactly a denial, which meant Spock was trying to say no, but without actually lying about it.

“Maybe we should postpone this.”

“Captain, I feel fine.”

“Still. You should rest. It’s already late. You need sleep, Spock. We can play another day.” And he meant that about more than the stupid chess game. He didn’t even like chess. But Spock did and Jim was pretty okay at it even though he didn’t care for it.

Spock hesitated. “I…very well.”

“What?”

“I did not really wish to retire to my quarters just yet.”

“Oh. Well. Um. You want to-to sleep here? In-in my bed?”

Great work at sounding like a love struck teenaged boy, Jim.

“If agreeable.”

Jim grinned. “It’s totally agreeable. And I’ll, um, try not to attack you. For now.”

Spock nodded. “I appreciate that. My sleeping robe…”

“You can borrow some jammies.”

“And I like to have tea.”

“I’ll make you some.”

Spock’s nose twitched. He sneezed.

Jim walked up to him, put his hand on Spock’s forehead. He sighed. “You have a fever, honey.”

“Honey?” Spock blinked.

“Yeah. Honey. You got an issue with that?”

“I do not.”

“I’d better call Bones.”

“I do not wish to go to the medbay.”

“He’ll make a house call. And then after, you can go to sleep in here. It’s not like no one knows.”

Spock nodded. “Very well. I do not usually catch colds.”

“But you are half human.”

His Vulcan sighed. Totally his Vulcan. “Yes. And it rears itself up at the most inopportune times.”

“Of course.” I patted his cheek affectionately and commed Bones. “Hey, can you come check out Spock? He’s sick.”

“Be right there.”

Jim smiled. “Now for those jammies and tea. You deserve some pampering, honey.”

“Well.” Spock looked rather pleased. “If you insist.”

January 10, 2020

Flash Fic Friday 01/03/2020

For January, we are back to Flash Fic Fridays. In February I will add back in Wednesday Flashes.

Spock should not have been surprised to look down and see Vanik standing beside him as he checked himself in the mirror in the bathroom of his apartment. It was becoming all too common to find the boy nearby. He was fond of his nephew, but he would not be all that unhappy when Sybok and Anoria took their leave of Earth with their precocious son in tow.

And yet…he was surprised. Illogically.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded.

“I have come to learn what progress you are making with Jim.”

Spock eyed him balefully. “That is not your business.”

“I believe that it is. Since I am the one who first introduced you to Jim…”

“We became acquainted with Mister Kirk on the same day.”

“And I arranged for your first date.”

“It was an outing, not a date. And you tricked us.”

Vanik shrugged. “You were getting nowhere on your own. Which is why I am inquiring as to whether you require my assistance again. You have now been on no less than four dates with Jim, not counting the sleigh ride.”

“We rode in a carriage, not a sleigh,” Spock pointed out. “An expensive one at that. It was false advertising.”

“There would be no place in San Francisco to pull a one horse open sleigh so improvisation was required,” Vanik said simply. “Jim did not seem to mind.”

“As he is your elder and you are barely acquainted, you, perhaps, should refer to him as Mister Kirk.”

“On the contrary, he told me when we met his name was Jim. He has not rescinded the personal use of his name.” Vanik paused. “To either of us. Are you scheduled to have a date with him this evening?”

Spock sighed. “Yes. I am preparing for it now.”

“That is good news. Have you had opportunities to exchange implications of favorable softer emotions?”

Spock blinked, feeling somewhat dizzy with such a convoluted sentence. “I am quite sure that is not your business. Nor is any of the specific details of my interactions with Jim.”

Vanik frowned. “But you do…like him?”

He hesitated only a moment. “Yes.”

“And he likes you?”

It was on the tip of Spock’s tongue to advise the boy to direct that question to Jim, but then he realized Vanik would, and Jim certainly didn’t need to have the boy pestering him with personal inquiries.

“Yes,” Spock replied instead.

He was saved from further invasive inquiry by the blurp of Vanik’s communication device. The boy flipped it open and Spock heard Anoria’s voice.

“Vanik! You ran off again. Get back here right this instant.”

“I am with Uncle…”

“I know where you are. Stop bothering Spock. Come back to the hotel immediately.”

“I will be there soon.” Vanik closed his device and nodded at Spock. “I must go. I hope you have a most productive date with Jim.”

Spock did not reply as his nephew scampered off. Instead he looked at his colognes that had been gifts from his brother and sister-in-law just this past holiday season. He chose one and splashed it on himself.

Then he turned away from the mirror to prepare to retrieve Jim for their date.

January 3, 2020

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.

December 27, 2019

Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

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