Flash Fiction Wednesdays

October 2023 Continuing Story

Jim stopped outside the dean’s office door to stare in surprise at the name appearing there.

Leonard McCoy

Jim tapped on the glass.

“Come in.”

Behind the desk was a man somewhere in his late forties, a full, though trimmed beard, dark hair and hazel eyes gazing back at him.

“What happened to Halloway?”

“Guess he departed.”

A strange way of putting it, Jim thought, as he moved farther into the office.

“You’re Leonard McCoy?”

“That’s right. Have a seat, Jim.”

He did and frowned afterward. “Do I…do I know you?”

For some reason that caused McCoy to lean forward, almost eagerly. “Do you think you know me?”

“I…” Jim tried to drum up something from somewhere within his consciousness but nothing came. He shrugged. “I don’t think so.”

McCoy leaned back in his chair, somehow seeming disappointed at Jim’s response. Weird.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Mm. As the, uh, new dean, I thought I should introduce myself.”

“I see, Mr. McCoy.”

“Doctor.”

“What?”

“Doctor McCoy.”

“Don’t pander to me, kid. One tiny crack in the hull, and our blood boils in thirteen seconds.”

Jim shook his head and rubbed his hand over his eyes.

“You okay?” McCoy asked.

“Not sure. Feeling kind of queasy.”

McCoy nodded. “You have any more courses to teach today?”

Did he? What day was it even? October. But October…what.

“Jim?”

“Sorry. I don’t think I have any more today.”

“Then go on home. Do you think you can drive or should I get someone to take you?”

“No. I think I can make it.” He stood up and that’s when he realized McCoy was getting up too and walking with him to the door of the office which suddenly seemed really far away when it should be only a few feet.

He really was losing it.

Jim put his hand on the handle of the door and turned to look back at McCoy into to see he was holding a very big, wicked looking needle.

Jim backed up quickly hitting the glass door. “Hey, hey!”

“Take it easy, Jim.”

Jim opened the door and ran out of the office.

“Jim! Wait!”

Jim kept running, passing students who attempted to all out to him.

“Professor Kirk!”

He had just made it to the parking lot, his heart racing, ran he ran into something so solid and unmoving he fell to the ground.

Just before his vison winked out he saw a beanie.

October 11, 2023

Flash Fic, March 01, 2023

Jim felt vaguely silly carrying the stuffed animal he held in his arms to a convalescing Vulcan, but he was doing that actual thing.

He heard low voices as he approached Spock’s hospital room and for a moment he hesitated, thinking Uhura was probably in there with him, but just as he took a step backward, a somewhat harried looking nurse appeared.

“You here for Mister Spock, Captain?”

He nodded.

She grimaced. “Good luck.”

Then she walked away.

With a slight shrug, he went through the doorway and into Spock’s room. The Vulcan was sitting up, his usually impeccable bowl cut mussy. He cradled a cup of tea in his hands and in front of him was an untouched plate of food.

“Hey,” Jim greeted him with a smile.

“Captain!” Spock straightened like he planned to salute or something.

“At ease, Spock. I’m not here as your captain, but your friend.” Jim thrust the stuffy at him. “Uh. This is a…”

Spock stared at the stuffed creature in his hands. “A sehlat?”

Jim felt his face flush. “Yeah. Um, so your dad—”

“My father?”

“Yes. He told me where I could get one.” Jim chuckled self-consciously. “Your dad’s okay.”

Spock’s gaze moved to the sehlat. “Thank you.”

Jim smiled and put it on the table beside the bed. “Uh, I don’t know if I…did I properly thank you for saving my life yet again?”

“Thanks are unnecessary.”

“They probably are.”

Spock shook his head, his gaze rather intense.

“Well, uh.” Jim cleared his throat. “We weren’t even on the ship.”

“An assassin attempted to end your life, I have no regrets.” Spock paused. “Fortunately.”

Jim licked his lips. “I’m just glad you’ll be okay. And that fucker was taken into custody. Did they say when you’ll be released?”

“Two more nights,” Spock said, sounding bitter. “I do not believe it is required. They think otherwise.”

Jim hid a smile. “I ran into one of your nurses.”

“A most disagreeable woman. You should sit, Captain.”

“Jim.” He looked around for a chair, but Spock padded a space on the bed. Surprised, Jim blinked and sat on the small space there. “I’m surprised Uhura isn’t here with you.”

“Nyota was here earlier to see me but she left some time ago.”

“She coming back later?”

Spock frowned slightly. “Perhaps tomorrow.”

“Oh? I thought she’d want to stay close the whole time you are here.”

Spock shook his head. “We are not together.”

“What?”

“Jim, we dissolved our relationship before the attack on Altamid.”

“But…I thought after you helped rescue her and at my party you guys seemed to be reconciling.”

“We considered it for a brief time,” Spock acknowledged. “But it became clear that it would not work considering the depth of our emotional attachment to each other had altered.”

Jim shook his head to clear it. “Uh. Okay.” Sometimes he really wished Spock would find an easy way to say something. “Why is that?”

Spock held out his hand toward Jim, who though surprised, took Spock’s hand in his.

“My affections are for someone else,” Spock said simply.

“For someone…” Jim’s eyes widened as he looked into those dark chocolate eyes. “Oh.”

Spock’s lips curved into an almost smile. “Yes. Oh.”

Jim laughed, feeling rather giddy as he leaned forward for Spock’s kiss.

March 1, 2023

Flash Fic, February 22, 2023

She’d insisted on wearing a traditional wedding dress rather than giving into the idea of wearing Vulcan robes. The dress fell long to just the top of her delicate little ballet slippers, which were trimmed with tiny little cloth roses in yellow that seemed to go very well with her off-white dress and shoes. She’d chosen not to don a veil or a tiara, nothing like that. She just had her blonde hair, now streaked rather liberally with gray, piled high on her head with ringlets cascading down.

She looked beautiful. Even breathtaking if Jim was allowed to say so considering she was his mama.

“I bet you looked like this when you married dad.”

Winona Kirk, soon to be Kirk no more, Jim supposed, turned and gave him a radiant smile. “Oh but a lot younger, of course.” She sighed and smoothed out her dress. “Is it stupid that I’m nervous?”

“Nope. It’s not every day you get married. And even less that you marry a Vulcan.”

“And yet you did too.”

“Uh-huh.” Jim sat down on the edge of her bed as she stood before the free-standing full length mirror in her bedroom.

Sarek had, somewhat surprisingly, agreed to have their marriage and bonding ceremony in Riverside at the farmhouse. The couple would split their time between the farmhouse and their house on New Vulcan.

If someone had told Jim a year ago that his father-in-law would one day become his stepfather, well…life was strange sometimes. But Sarek seemed to make his mother happy and that was what mattered to Jim.

“Were you nervous?”

“I was. And I had a bit of cold feet, too.”

She frowned at him. “Did you?”

“Sure. All that bonding for life, mind meld shit, it’s a lot to deal with.” He laughed. “You know that. You’re dealing with some of that yourself.”

“We haven’t really done much in the way of melds. But yes. I’m still surprised to hear you had doubts.”

“Of course I did. But I loved Spock, so I set those aside and married him anyway.”

“And now?”

Jim laughed. “Now I’m deliriously happy and have no clue what my problem was. How about you, Mom? You have any doubts?”

She thought about it. Shook her head. “No. I am nervous. Maybe I’ll say the wrong thing, stumble over my words, that kind of thing. I don’t want to embarrass Sarek in front of the priestess or other Vulcans. But doubts about being Sarek’s wife? No. I love him and he loves me. We’re different, sure, but I think those differences make us work really well. I never had doubts about your dad either.”

Jim nodded, smiled, and stood to offer her his arm.

“Frank was a different story.”

“Yeah?”

“I definitely had a million alarms going off in my head, but I ignored them, thinking it was just…not wanting to let go of your father.” She shook her head ruefully. “What a fool I was. I should have listened to my instincts.”

“You weren’t a fool. You were just lonely and wanted companionship. You chose the wrong guy. But you’re no fool, Mom.”

“I certainly have a spectacular son.” She hugged him.

“Come on, let’s get you married.”

They exited her bedroom and went down the stairs and out to the yard to begin.

And that concludes the love month of February, thanks for reading

February 22, 2023

Flash Fic, February 15, 2023

I had hoped to have a fic with Sarek and Winona for today but time got away from me and I’m just not able to get it done for this week, so I hope to have it up for February 22, the last flash for February. This week I wrote a short but hopefully sweet one for today. But hey, you got two this week so there is that!

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

“Jim?”

Jim looked up from the poem he’d been reading out loud and smiled when he saw Spock standing in the doorway of their shared bathroom. “Hey. You ready to play chess?”

“Yes. You were reading a love poem?”

Jim nodded. “Yes. My favorite poem about love. I think my favorite lines are ‘I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach’ and ‘I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life: if, God choose, I shall but love thee better after death’. It’s a beautiful poem.”

Spock steppe inside Jim’s quarters and handed him a small red box. “I believe it might be a good time to give you this.”

Jim took the box and stared at Spock. “What is this?”

“A gift for Valentine’s Day.”

He smiled quizzically. “I didn’t know we were exchanging gifts for that. I asked Uhura if that had been a thing and she said—”

Spock shook his head. “We did not, it is true. And I expect nothing from you, save your answer.”

Jim sucked in a breath and flipped open the box. “Yes.”

Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush on Pexels.com

February 15, 2023

Flash Fic, February 01, 2023

“Well that wasn’t exactly how I thought Valentine’s Day would go,” Jim Kirk said to his best friend, Leonard “Bones” McCoy.

“Yeah, yeah.” Bones smirked. “You expected to get laid at least two or three times.”

Jim shot him a look. “Once would have been enough. Who knew they would raid that club?”

“I did. Well, maybe not this exact night, but that club’s been crazy and asking for it for months. All that illegal shit going on there. Just be glad they didn’t lock us up and we’re leaving the station and able to go home.”

Jim sighed as they went through the double doors the Federation Police Department and back out to the fresh air. Sort of fresh air. There was a little bit of sewer smell drifting their way.

“I don’t think they arrested any patron except that dude in the back.”

“And its no wonder. I did say we should cross that place off our list.”

“The Federation’s done that for us now.” It was too bad too because Jim wore a red t-shirt and he looked good in red.

“I’m actually surprised you wanted to go to a club.” Bones turned at the end of the pathway toward Starfleet Academy and their dorm.

“Why?”

He shrugged. “I sorta thought you were seeing that Vulcan.”

“Spock?”

“You know any others?” Bones snorted. “Maybe you do. After all you spent a summer there.”

“Hottest damn summer I ever spent.” Jim grinned. “In more ways than one, I might add.”

“Wish you wouldn’t.”

Jim laughed. “Anyway, I haven’t heard from him. Not since the last time.”

“You will.”

“Maybe.”

They turned to other subjects until they got to their dorm. There standing at the door was Spock holding a dozen red roses.

Jim smiled. “Are those for me?”

Spock arched a brow. He looked vaguely annoyed, no doubt from having stood outside waiting for who knew how long. “They are not for Doctor McCoy.”

“Awe, man, way to hurt me, Spock.” Bones rolled his eyes, went past the two of them, and into the dorm room.

“Been waiting long?”

“Long enough. I was about to leave.”

“Sorry. I was at the police station.”

“Do I wish to know?”

Jim smiled and took the roses. “Nope. But my Valentine’s Day just got a heckuva lot better. Your place?”

“Unless you intend to give the doctor a show…yes.”

“No shows.” He linked his arm with Spock’s. “Perhaps a private one for you. I’m wearing red silk briefs with pink hearts on them.”

Spock shook his head. “Of course you are.” He frowned. “You were not expecting me, why are you wearing—’

“Better not to ask.”

Spock sighed and led Jim away from the Academy campus and to his apartment. A very good Valentine’s Day for Jim.

February 1, 2023

Flash Fic, December 28, 2022

This one ended up having more legs than I intended and could possibly be the beginning of a new story! Oh well LOL

Photo by Posawee Suwannaphati on Pexels.com

“Did you ever think we’d be together like this on Yorktown for the week between Christmas and New Year’s?” Jim asked his mom as they strolled along the street together toward the restaurant where he’d made a reservation for them.

“No way. It’s bene years since we’ve seen each other in person, let alone got to spend any quality time together. It was sheer luck that had me having to come here for my boss while you’re still here stuck waiting for the Enterprise.”

Jim agreed. “Most of my crew’s been temporarily assigned elsewhere. It was just fortuitous they decided to keep me assigned to Yorktown.”

His mom smiled and linked her arm with his. “I can hardly believe it. I’ve been so excited to get here. You didn’t need to arrange a fancy dinner though.”

“There’s not a huge kitchen in my apartment and the replicated food is okay, but I figured one night while you’re here, we can splurge.”

She sighed. “You’re right, of course. And it’s been a long time since I had a real dinner out, let alone with you.”

They arrived at the restaurant and shortly after got seated.

Jim ordered them a bottle of red wine while they settled in.

“When was it, you think?”

“Hmm?”

“Last time we went for a real dinner together.”

“Oh, gosh, Mom. Probably my first year in the Academy.”

“See? Absolutely shameful.”

The waiter returned with the bottle and poured them each a glass. Jim sent the waiter away and told him to come back for their dinner order in about fifteen minutes.

“We live in different worlds, mostly.” Jim leaned back after talking a sip of his wine. “Literally. Things could be a lot worse. At least we’re both still alive, yeah?”

She gave him a gentle smile. “Thanks to the miracles of modern medicine for you. And probably still some of that luck for both of us. How is your first office?”

Of course she’d guesseed his reference to Spock when speaking of lost parents. She’s met Spock once back when she visited Jim in the hospital back when he’d been “revived”. And she knew all about Nero. All too well.

“Good, I think. He was temporarily assigned to a science vessel exploring sector 24. He’s supposed to be back to Yorktown next week.”

“And you miss him, don’t you?”

Jim laughed. “Mom, come on. I mean yeah, I miss him because we’re friends. That’s all. He’s got a girlfriend or a fiancé or whatever.”

“Are they engaged?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea. I’d heard they were off and then after my ship was destroyed they were on.”

“Hmm. Are they on assignment together?”

“No separate assignments. He hasn’t mentioned her when we’ve communicated but that’s not unusual.” He waved that away. “Enough about Spock. Let’s order.”

He flagged down the waiter and they both ordered steaks and baked potatoes.

“This realy is an indulgence,” she said. “I can’t remember when I last had steak. Your dad was a vegetarian.”

“I didn’t know that.”

She smiled wistfully. “Oh not always. He tended to change his eating habits at his whim. He’d eat nothing but chicken. Then everything but chicken.” She laughed. “Whatever some fad was he’d read about. At the end though, yes, he was a vegetarian. And after, well, replicated steak isn’t so great. And I wasn’t…” She sighed again and shook her head.

“What?”

“I wasn’t home much after that. But you know that better than anyone, Jim. And here I’m going on about food when you were…:

“Hey.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “Tarsus was a long time ago now. And we’re having a nice dinner remember? Just the two of us.”

“Yes, you’re right.” She drank some wine. “I wish it could be three of us.”

“A logical friend of mine tells me not to have regrets,” Jim said gently.

“You’re right again. All right, all right. Tell me about the new Enterprise then.”

He perked up right away and began to tell his mom all about the improvements his new lady would have.

They had a nice dinner and Jim didn’t think about Spock again. Much anyway.

December 28, 2022

Flash Fic, December 21, 2022

I am aging Vanik here to be around 10 or 11 (it may not work with them being in the Academy still but who cares, right?)

“Dashing through the snow, on a one horse open sleigh.”

Vanik froze as he heard the hearty singing, his heart leaping happily in his side for a moment.

Jim!

But as Vanik rounded the corner of the hallway of the apartment building floor where his Uncle Spock’s apartment was situated, Jim’s name on his lips, his hope dashed along with the sleigh in the snow.

It was not Jim singing Jingle Bells but rather a delivery man knocking on old Mrs. Miniver’s door. As Vanik watched, she opened the door and received a big box of chocolates with a gold bow from the man.

“Oh my,” she exclaimed, happily. “This will be from my grandson.”

Shortly after this exchange, she closed her apartment door and the delivery man got on the elevator to depart.

Vanik could barely tamp down his disappointment.

Jim and Spock were fighting again and Jim had taken off. Again.

Last time Jim had done this, he had gone all the way to Riverside and Vanik had followed him in order to make sure Spock hadn’t lost the best thing that ever happened to them…him. Best thing that had ever happened to Spock. But…Vanik didn’t dare go to Riverside this time, if that’s where Jim had gone. Though initially he had believed he had escaped the ire of his parents, once he returned to San Francisco, Vanik had been put on restriction for weeks.

So his new plan was to go to his uncle and ask him to be the bigger Vulcan and apologize to Jim. Vanik knew that Jim could be, as Uncle Spock and his own Father, Sybok, said, “a hot head”, however, now was not the time to fight over who was in the wrong. The important thing was getting Vanik’s favorite Uncle by marriage where he belonged.

Vanik marched over to the door of Spock’s apartment and knocked on the door.

It took ages but finally Spock answered the door, peering out through a thin slit.

“Uncle Spock—”

“Not now, Vanik.”

Through the small opening, he could see that Spock’s hair looked messy and he wore only a bathrobe with no shirt.

“But—”

“It is not a good time.”

And then it occurred to Vanik. His uncle, his beloved relative, had cheated on Jim. Even now was cheating on him.

“This is unacceptable!” Vanik heard himself yell before he could stop himself. No wonder Jim had left Spock.

The door opened wider and Spock stared out at him.

“What?”

Vanik blinked uncertainly. This was well above his age range. This was adult problems he did not want to become involved in.

“I—:

“Bells on bob tail ring, making spirits bright…”

Eyes wide, Vanik’s heart leapt once more.

“Jim?”

And like a holiday miracle, Jim came out of the bedroom in Spock’s apartment, also wearing a bathrobe, his hair wet as though from a shower.

“Hey kiddo.”

“You are here!”

Jim glanced at Spock, smiling quizzically. Spock shrugged.

“I thought…I had been led to believe…that is, were you not fighting?”

“We made up,” Jim replied, his smile widening.

“I-I see. I am well pleased.” Vanik stepped back, feeling himself blush. He had been wrong about everything, clearly, and stepped into something a kid like him had no business stepping into. “I will be on my way now.”

“See you tomorrow for Christmas movies?”

“Yes,” Vanik replied. “That would be most welcome.” And for once, Vanik definitely did not wish to stick around.

December 21, 2022

Flash Fic, December 14, 2022

I couldn’t really find a satisfactory picture, so you get snow

Photo by Tobias Bju00f8rkli on Pexels.com

Sort of a continuation of the one in November when Jim went outside when Sam arrived and Spock brought him his a coat

“Dinner is almost ready.”

Jim bit back an irritated, snarky ‘I’m not hungry’ and instead managed to grumble, “Okay.”

He thought his mom would go away then and leave him alone. But though she might not have been born a Kirk she somehow managed to get the Kirk stubbornness, nonetheless.

He was sitting on a raised log by the barn. As long as Jim could remember this same stupid log had been in the same place. It had been used as a sort of bench for decades. His mom sat beside him instead of going back into the house where it was warm and she belonged.

A short time ago he’d sent his frozen husband inside to get warm.

“You know it wouldn’t hurt you to try to get along with your brother. You’re both adults now.”

“I didn’t know turning eighteen made all the pain go away.”

“Jim.”

He sighed. “I’m trying.”

“Not very hard.”

He shot her a look. “What do you want from me?”

“What do you want from me? He’s my son too. What was I supposed to do? Tell him not to come? He’s hurting and he needs a place to stay right now. He’s going through some serious stuff. And what was I supposed to tell you? No, Jim, don’t come for the holidays, your brother will be here.”

“No. I don’t know. It’s just…every time I look at his stupid face I just want to punch him.”

“So punch him.”

Jim rolled his eyes. “I can’t punch him.”

“Sure you can. Maybe it’ll help.” She shrugged. “He might punch you back.”

“That’ll go over real well with Spock.”

“The Great Christmas Fight of Stardate 2266,” she cracked.

Jim laughed, he couldn’t help himself. And yeah she’d intended that. Moms were manipulative that way.

“Come on inside. I made all your favorites.”

“All of them?”

“Yep. And I have eggnog and…brandy.”

Jim smiled.

“And I’m pretty sure I saw Spock taking a bite of a chocolate bar.”

He rose from the log, grabbed her hand to pull her up, and put his arm around her. “Okay, Mother mine. Let’s go inside.”

“Thanks, honey.”

“I know. Merry Christmas.”

December 14, 2022

Flash Fic, December 07, 2022

Spock found the boy sitting on a raised bench, legs dangling off and swinging above the stars that passed by.

This was a new feature of the rebuilt Enterprise and something Spock had yet to make use of. To his knowledge no one he personally knew had before this.

To get to the raised bench, which was high above the glass that looked over the stars, one had to climb up a set of stairs and then slide across the bench, at least to where the boy sat swinging his legs. Fortunately the action didn’t make the bench swing, but Spock did wonder how much it would hurt should the boy dislodge himself onto the glass belong.

When he was in place beside the boy, Spock waited for his attention before speaking.

Eventually the boy, approximate age eight, flicked an unreadable glance at Spock before returning to the view of the stars.

“I like to watch the stars.”

It was voice was much higher and softer than the adult voice Spock knew so well.

“Did you watch them a lot in Riverside?”

The boy nodded.

“Do you know who I am?” Spock asked.

“Mister Spock.”

“Yes. And what is your name?”

“Jim.”

Spock nodded. “You left the Christmas party in the rec room.”

“Mm.”

“You don’t like Christmas, Jim?”

Jim shrugged. “Sometimes. When Mom is home, it’s nice. But…I have this stepfather.” He eyed Spock. “Frank.”

“I know.”

“You’ve met him?”

“Not directly,” Spock hedged. “Your…older self made me aware of his existence.”

Doctor McCoy was fairly certain Jim’s de-aged child self was a temporary condition. As Jim’s husband, Spock, of course, hoped so.

“Well, he doesn’t like celebrations,” Jim explained. “One year, Sam, that’s my brother, and I dragged up the artificial tree from the basement and Frank made us put it back. He was always doing stuff like that.” Jim shook his head. “I don’t like him.”

“Would it make you feel better to know that now in this time, Frank is deceased?”

Jim’s eyes widened. “What happened to him?”

“He was…” Spock paused. The details didn’t need to be shared with this young Jim. His adult mate knew well enough. “He passed away unexpectedly.”

“Was Mom upset?”

“No, she was not. Your mother and you enjoy a close relationship now.”

Jim looked doubtful but nodded.

“Are you hungry, Jim?”

“A bit, yeah.”

“Then you should come back to the party, there are many good things to eat. And there are people there who wish to welcome you and make this holiday special.”

“Will you be there?”

“Of course I will.”

Jim nodded. “Ok.”

Spock was relieved. This sad little Jim tugged at his heart strings. “You need assistance getting down?”

Eight-year-old Jim snorted. “Do you old man?”

“Hardly.”

“Me either.”

A short while later, they entered the party, and Spock was not surprised when the crew gravitated toward little Jim. The crew loved adult Jim too. But Jim kept an eye om Spock the whole time, so Spock never could leave.

It was a couple of days later when Jim, his Jim, finally emerged. Spock had never known such relieved contentment.

“Hey, we need to do a holiday party,” Jim told him.

“We already did it.”

Jim laughed. “Right. But I don’t remember it and since I’m the captain, I say we have another one.”

Spock, simply grateful to have his husband back, agreed, though pretending it was reluctantly.

In some ways Spock wished he had been around when Jim was a child so he could slay Jim’s dragons, but at least he’d gotten the chance when Jim was older. And though it didn’t make up for Jim’s childhood, Spock was glad.

December 7, 2022

Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

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Flash Fic, February 22, 2023

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