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Flash Fiction Wednesdays

Little Drummer Boy

Advent Day 15

“Jim, say you’ll come.”

Jim pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He was seated at Spock’s favorite vegetarian restaurant waiting for Spock to come back from the bathroom.

“Mom—”

“Please. Just for a few days. Peter—”

He frowned. “Who? Who’s Peter?”

She sighed. “Sam’s little boy. He’s three and a half. I know I told you about him. It’s just going to be me and Peter. So it would be so nice if you can come. And Spock, of course.”

“Where’s Sam then?”

“He and his wife have to be off planet, so they asked me to watch the baby.”

“Of course they did.”

“Jim.”

He spotted Spock headed back to their table.    

“We can get a tree, like I said. And all your favorites. We can get Spock’s too. It would be so nice for you to meet Peter. He’s such a sweetheart.”

“Fine, okay.”

“You’ll come?”

“Yes, Mom. When?”

“Can you be here the 22nd?”

Jim glanced at Spock as his boyfriend slid into the booth to sit across from him. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be there.”

Spock looked his question after he disconnected. “Your mother?”

“Yes. Invited us for the holiday. On December 22. I guess Sam saddled her with his kid for the season.” Jim blew out a breath. “You don’t have to come but…”

“I will accompany you.”

***

Peter was cute. Even Jim had to admit it.

He looked like a miniature Kirk. Which is exactly what he was.

His mother had arrived at the shuttle bay in Riverside to pick up Jim and Spock and she’d, of course, brought Peter.

He had a mop of blond curls and big blue eyes with chubby cheeks dotted pink from the cold.

Until that moment, Jim had never thought about having kids, but he couldn’t deny if he had one like Peter, it might be okay. Of course being with Spock, that was highly unlikely.

Jim crouched down next to the boy to talk to him at his level. “Hi, Peter. I’m Jim.”

“Daddy’s brother.”

“Yes. And that’s Spock, he’s with me.”

“Hello, Peter,” Spock greeted him.

Jim straightened up and made to move away, therefore he was surprised when Peter reached for and took Jim’s hand. He smiled down at the boy.

“We’re all going to get a tree on the way home if that’s okay.”

“Sure.”

On the way to the tree farm, Jim asked the kid, “So what do you want Santa Claus to bring you for Christmas?”

“A drum!”

Jim laughed. “A drum? Yeah?”

“Uh-huh. Wanna bang it.”

“I sure hope your daddy’s around when you do,” Jim said. “I bet Santa gets it for you.”

Peter smiled happily.

Jim ended up going around with Peter at the tree lot, holding onto Peter’s hand the whole way.

Winona watched them and moved closer to Spock so she could speak to the Vulcan.

“Thank you for bringing him here.”

Spock shook his head. “I had nothing to do with it. He would have come without me.”

“I’m not sure.” She smiled. “But I appreciate you’re coming too. I think it makes it easier for him. He and I have our problems.”

“He has not mentioned it.”

“Really?” she asked, doubtfully. “We’re not…close. I want to be but Jim…anyway, thank you.”

Spock inclined his head as Jim approached with Peter.

“All right, Peter has chosen the tree he thinks is perfect for us.”

Winona laughed. “All right let’s get this done.”

****

“Your mother is concerned about your relationship.”

Jim glanced at Spock as they shopped in a store for Christmas gifts.

“She brought it up?”

“She did.”

Jim sighed. “I’m sorry she involved you.”

“It was no issue for me. I was not aware that you and your mother do not get along.”

“We do actually. I think…she just wants us to be closer than we are.” He shook his head. “There’s too much in our history, I think, for us ever to be the shining example of Mother-Son she wants us to be. Years where she wasn’t there.”

“And your stepfather was.”

“Yeah,” Jim said softly. “I love my mom, but there’s still a lot of pain there. I guess she’s gotten past a lot of Sam’s walls, but I’m not Sam. And Sam left and wasn’t there for a lot of Frank’s shit.”

“Understandable. Was this why you were reluctant to come here for the holidays?”

“Sure. Part of it. Anyway, I’m having a good time and it’s nice to spend time with Peter.”

“Indeed.” Spock stopped before a display of drums. “And here we are.”

***

“A drum! Santa gave me drum!” Peter exclaimed excitedly Christmas morning.

Winona beamed happily and rested her hand on Jim’s leg. He sat beside her on the floor, each of them clutching a cup of coffee. Spock sat in a chair right behind Jim’s back.

Peter sat directly in front of the Christmas tree.

“Thank you,” she whispered to her youngest son.

He smiled. “You’re welcome, Mom.”

Peter started right in banging on his drum.

Jim chuckled.

“Now, honey, Santa brought you other presents. Why don’t you open those?” Winona asked indulgently.

“Wanna play my drum!”

“Sam’s gonna kill me,” she mumbled.

“Pay back’s a bitch.”

“Jim.”

He laughed again. “Now how about I put those cinnamon rolls in the oven?”

“Okay, but one more present for you.” Nervously she handed him a small, wrapped box. She had no idea how he was going to react to it.

Jim raised both eyebrows at her but finally he tore off the green and red plaid paper. He opened the box and stared down at the contents.

“That was your dad’s Starfleet insignia.” She bit her lip. “Not the one he wore that-that day, obviously. But before.”

His gaze flew to hers. As usual, she could not read him.

“Thank you.” His hand closed around the symbol, his thumb rubbing the command part. He nodded. “Thanks.”

She smiled. “Merry Christmas, Jim.”

“Merry Christmas.”

Deck the Halls

Advent Day 8

“Jim.”

Jim put a nail in his mouth as he hammered the one he held into the rooftop. He did not look down. He was quite aware of the Vulcan standing at the foot of the ladder below. And though he was not looking, Jim absolutely knew he was getting the Vulcan version of the side-eye.

“Jim.”

To the untrained ear, the repeat of his name sounded just like it had before, but Jim heard the slight irritation behind the second time his name was said.

He removed the nail held in his mouth and hammered it in, stringing the line of lights across the latest two nails.

“Be right down,” he called, not looking. He’d been up in space for decades, had faced death and injury numerous times, fought and won against more foes than he could count, and even survived the death and resurrection of that Vulcan, his husband, waiting below, but he hated heights. He’d considered asking Spock to do this part, but Spock had a secret. He hated heights more than Jim did.

Well, and to say either of them hated heights was not exactly true. Jim enjoyed mountain climbing, after all. And Spock had those rocket boot things he’d used to reach Jim on that mountain. But there was something different about the roof of one’s house and Jim couldn’t say what.

“Can you turn them on so I see if they’re all lit up?” he called down.

He heard the definite huff from Spock, but a moment later the lights were lit and Jim leaned back slightly on his haunches to detect if every last light was on. He couldn’t see any that were out so he mentally patted himself on the back and then inched his way to the ladder.

Perhaps some of his trepidation was due to the fact he’d actually fallen from said roof the prior year. Thankfully, just like Humpty Dumpty, they’d been able to put him back together. Not that he appreciated the comparison.

When he landed on the ground below, Jim felt relieved, and offered a smile to his grumpy husband.

“All done with the roof.”

“I thought we had agreed last year that if you continued this ridiculous, illogical competition with Bob Jenkins and Doctor Morely, you would hire someone to get on the roof.”

“You mean someone younger and in better shape than me,” Jim said, rolling his eyes. “I thought about that but the rules are we have to do all the decorating ourselves.”

“Who decided these rules?” Spock asked pointedly.

“The three of us as a committee. It’s just in good fun, Spock. It doesn’t really matter who’s won. There’s no reward.”

“Except the bragging rights to use all year round that you had the best decorated house for the holidays.”

Jim smiled, and rubbed his hands together, moving farther out in the yard to survey his handiwork.

“Right! And I’m absolutely fine with not winning.”

Spock gave him that side-eye Vulcan thing again and Jim ignored him.

Shooting out of a giant menorah on the roof, placed there for Spock, were twinkling yellow lights that looked like candle flames. He’d just purchased that this year. Also on the roof was a life sized Santa and sleigh with reindeer. Actual reindeer or Caribou, not just the Bambi type substituted so often.

He had more reindeer, elves, and snowmen in the yard surrounding the house too. Candy canes. Snowflakes. Gingerbread men.

“Do you think I did enough?” he asked Spock when Spock moved to stand beside him as they surveyed their kingdom.

“You are serious?”

Jim chuckled. “Yes, of course.” He took out an apple from his pocket and took a bite. “I don’t like to lose.”

“You just said—”

“We both know I lied.”

Spock sighed and nodded. “I believe you will succeed in maintaining your winning record.”

“Now that’s what I want to hear. All right, Spock, let’s go inside where it’s warm. I want to contact Jenkins and Morely to tell them they’re going to lose again.”

Spock sighed even more dramatically. “Very well.”

Jim took Spock’s hand in his and led him to the door of their home. “Well, perhaps, I’ll wait to warm you up a bit first.”

“That would be most agreeable.”

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Advent Day 1

“You’re really going to the snowy mountains.”

Bones said it with such distaste Jim could only laugh. His tone suggested that anyone who chose snow over the sunny warm weather of the tropics was out of their mind.

And maybe Jim was.

“I really am.” He patted Bones’ arm. “You and Carol are going to have a great time in Fiji.”

“Don’t I know it? You, however…”

It was sorta strange to think of Bones with Carol. After Khan’s murder of her father, Carol spent a brief time on the Enterprise, during which she and Jim had sort of done a bit of flirting. Okay, a lot of flirting. And maybe more.

Then Carol had announced she was leaving and returning to San Francisco to pursue a position at HQ and that was that. At least for Jim and Carol.

But then after the end of their last five-year mission, Bones had met Carol in San Francisco and they’d connected and started up an affair that had, ultimately, turned into a relationship.

Jim remembered when Bones had come to him and asked him how he felt about them being together. Jim had wished them well. He had no left over feelings for Carol. His affections definitely lay elsewhere, no matter how unlikely those affections would ever be returned.

But now, in the middle of the second five-year mission, they had a bit of an extended leave thanks to significant damage the ship had experienced and as luck would have it, the leave was in December. And on Earth.

Jim planned a quiet few weeks at a mountain retreat. It had belonged to Christopher Pike and his wife, Una, at one time, but it was just Una’s now and she had agreed Jim could use it.

He was going to have all the food in the world he wanted, get a small tree and decorate it, and just have a nice safe white Christmas, free of drama and memories of his childhood. He greatly looked forward to it, even if Bones thought he was nuts.

“Bones, it’s going to be fine. I have everything planned. Spock’s going to drop me off on his way to see his Human relatives in Canada, then he’ll pick me up in a few weeks when the ship is finished.”

“I don’t like the idea of you being up there by yourself for weeks. What if something happens?”

Jim frowned. “Like what?”

“You could fall and break your hip.”

“How the hell old do you think I am?”

Bones snorted. “You know what I mean.”

“Actually, no. I’m fine, it’ll be fine. You’ll see me again in no time. Have a great time with Carol. Happy Holidays.”

Bones reluctantly accepted Jim’s goodbye hug and they went their separate ways.

****

The snow was falling rather heavily as Jim opened the door to the cabin that would be his home for the next few weeks. It was freezing cold, and snowflakes clung to his coat and hair. He should have worn a knit hat.  

Like Spock.

“You don’t have to carry all those groceries, Spock.”

“You have the pine tree.”

Jim carried the tree further into the cabin as he called for the lights to come on. It was quite a charming little place with a fireplace in the living room, a kitchen and a couple of bedrooms.

Spock headed into the kitchen with Jim’s purchases as Jim set up the tree in the living room next to the couch.

His next task would be to turn on the heat.

Jim stepped into the kitchen where Spock was putting away the purchases.

“I could do that,” he protested. “Wow, it’s really coming down.”

“You did choose this area hoping for such weather.”

“True.” Jim laughed. He leaned against the counter as Spock finished up. “So?”

Spock gave him a look. “Yes, I stuck to the story that I was visiting relatives in Canada. I do not know why.”

“Because I want this whole time to be just about us without nosey questions and innuendos and jokes.”

Spock pulled him close. “I am quite happy to let everyone know that we are together, Jim. It is you who wish to retain secrecy.”

“Mm. Have you told Uhura?”

“Not yet but she will be displeased that I kept the information from her.”

Jim smiled. “We’ll tell them all soon enough. In the meantime, we have this place all to ourselves. I’ve been so looking forward to this.”

Spock kissed him. “I cannot deny that I too anticipated it. And there was some element of excitement in that no one knew we would be spending the time together but us.”

“See?” Jim grinned. “Now, I’m going to get the heat on and take our luggage into the bedroom, and you can make us tea.”

This might be his best holiday season ever, Jim thought. Just the two of them. Snow. Merriment. And Love.

Lots of love.  

Flash Fic, November 24, 2021

Jim closed the oven door with satisfaction and then almost wiped his hands on his Kiss the Cook turkey apron. Aborting that action, he went to the kitchen sink to wash his hands. He was aware Bones was leaning a hip against a nearby counter, smirking, as he sipped his black coffee.

“I’m jealous, you know.”

“About time you admitted I have a cuter ass than you,” Jim said. “After all these years.”

“Hardy har har. I concede you probably do, but that’s not what I’m jealous of.”

Jim dried off his hands. “No?”

“Nope. I’m jealous of your mad skills at cooking the Thanksgiving turkey. Don’t know anyone who’s better at it.”

Jim chuckled. “Well, thanks, Bones. That means a lot coming from you.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know, that’s why it means a lot.” He patted his stomach. “I know how to eat. Dinner will still be a few hours, so you can go relax in the living room. Get yourself a drink. There’s wine for sure and probably whiskey.”

“Okay.” Bones smiled faintly. “Jim, about Spock—”

Jim’s smile slipped and he waved his hand. “Forget about that. It’s nothing.”

“You sure?”

“Sure I’m sure. I’ll be in with my own glass of wine in a second.”

Bones left Jim to the kitchen and Jim sighed, glancing out the window. It was then that he saw the flakes of snow coming down. It made him smile and shake his head.

Yeah, he had a lot to be grateful for, and so he was feeling good about the upcoming meal.

“It’s snowing,” he called.

“What?” Bones exclaimed. “Damn.”

He heard Bones go to the front door and open it.

“Hey Jim?”

“Hmm?”

“There’s a frozen Vulcan out here.”

“What?”

Jim hurried from the kitchen and to the front door. Sure enough, Spock stood there, one of his knitted beanie hats on his head. It and the rest of the Vulcan was covered in snow.

Spock opened his mouth to speak but Jim flung himself into the Vulcan’s arms and thoroughly kissed him.

Bones cleared his throat. Jim pulled back and grinned at Spock. “Welcome home.”

Happy Thanksgiving my fellow Americans

Flash Fic, November 17, 2021

Jim sighed. “I just don’t get it, Bones. I thought I was more popular than this.”

He’d been sitting at the kissing booth for charity for hours and not one person had come up to kiss him. It was strange.

The Mid-November event was being held for the Starfleet Family Charity. When members of Starfleet died in action, their families were given donations.

“I’ll be right back, Jim.”

Bones walked away and Jim’s mind went to his plans for Friday night. All his friends were getting together for a Pre-Thanksgiving get together. Of course, some of those he knew at the Academy simply didn’t get while they still observed the old American holiday, but Jim did. It was all about gratitude and eating. There was always eating.

A few minutes later, Bones returned, chuckling.

“I know why you have no kissers.”

Jim frowned. “You do? Why?”

“Spock.”

“Spock?” Jim was trying to figure out what his boyfriend had to do with it.

“He’s been paying them off.”

“He’s been…”

Spock appeared then, from another area of the charity even, looking not at all apologetic.

“Spock, have you been paying people not to kiss me?”

“Indeed. Since you belong to me it is inappropriate for others to kiss you.” He paused. “Even for charity. I have been keeping track and will donate what you would have earned. Now, however, the booth is closed, and we can leave.”

“Spock, you devil.” But Jim cracked up. He got up from the stool he’d been perched on and hung the sign that said Kissing Booth Closed. “I thought I’d lost my charms.”

Spock arched a brow. “I would have been fine if you had volunteered for the dunk booth.”

“Oh, great. You’d rather see me dunked into ice cold water than kiss others? Okay, okay. I get it. I probably would be the same way with you.” Jim leaned over and kissed Spock softly. “You’re adorably possessive, you know that?”

Bones shook his head at them. “Some of us have a date, so I’ll see you two turtle doves later.”

Jim didn’t look at Bones as he waved goodbye.

“Gotta stop at the store by the way.”

“For?”

“Stuff to make pumpkin pie. We’re having dinner with everyone Friday and I’ve been assigned pie. I’m making it vegan so you can eat it.”

“That is very considerate.”

“I want you to have things you can eat.” He linked his arm with Spock’s. “Come my jealous Vulcan. I can’t wait to get you home. You can make up for all the kisses I’ve been missing.”

“My pleasure.”

Flash Fic, November 10, 2021

“What’s wrong with you?”

Spock was surprised by the question as he did not believe anyone would know there was anything wrong with him. He had thought he had hid it well as he always did.

He sipped his tea and gave McCoy a slight shrug. “Nothing is wrong, Doctor. I am merely contemplating the recent…situation with the captain and the native on the planet.”

“Miramanee.”

“Yes.”

“What about it?” McCoy picked up his fork and stabbed into a plate of eggs.

“I would not have expected the captain to take a wife and…”

“Expect a child with her?”

“ Yes.”

The doctor shrugged. “He had amnesia and forgot all about his life.”

“About us.”

“Right. That bothers you somehow, huh?”

It did but Spock was not sure how to admit it.

McCoy smirked. “You thought we were somehow unforgettable.” He paused for a gulp of coffee. “You thought you were.”

Spock shook his head in deniable.

“That emotion you’re feeling—”

“Emotions are illogical.”

“Is jealousy.”

“Vulcans do not feel—”

McCoy waved this away. “I’m not saying you feel jealous romantically, but you are jealous that your friend could forget your very existence, considering how much time you spend together.”

Spock was saved from arguing further by the arrival of the captain. Kirk paused a moment to look at them somewhat quizzically before approaching them with his tray of French Toast.

“Captain.”

“Morning, Spock, Morning Bones. You two looked serious. Something on your minds?”

Spock nearly asked the captain how he felt about the loss of his wife and child, but it was not his business, and at breakfast in the mess was not appropriate anyway.

“No, Captain, there is nothing.”

And a short time later, Spock excused himself to report to the bridge. He didn’t wish to analyze McCoy’s words as to whether he was indeed jealous. He dismissed the possibility as unlikely and decided, that night, he would meditate for a longer time to clear his mind.

Flash Fic, November 03, 2021

“Oh yeah, that was Jensen. She’s an admiral now, but back then—”

“Captain,” Spock interrupted. Though to do so was rude. Spock knew. “I have no desire to listen to your past conquests.”

Judging by the suddenly closed off look on Jim’s face, Spock had managed to cause offense. That had not been his intention, but it was quite true he had no desire to hear about Jim and others. Spock experienced a not insignificant amount of jealousy during such discussions.

“Okay.”

It was all Jim said and it was said softly.

They were on shore leave in a booth in a quiet little bar of Jim’s choosing. Spock would have rather sat at a café but Jim wanted a drink and since these days Jim rarely got to relax and indulge, Spock did not disagree.

“It is not that I do not wish to hear about your life, it is—”

“It’s fine, Spock. I get it.”

“I meant no offense,” Spock tried again.

Jim smiled, but it was a fake smile. Spock knew the difference.

“I’m not offended. But I am tired. What do you say I finish this drink and we go back to the ship?”

“But I thought we had dinner reservations at that restaurant you wished to try. The one recommended by your brother.”

Jim waved that away. “Sam always had terrible taste. Let’s just cancel that. We can always grab something in the mess room later.”

When Jim made to slide out of the booth, Spock stopped him with his hand on Jim’s wrist. Blue eyes flew up to look at him in surprise.

“I find you and anything to do with you endlessly fascinating. My reasons for not wishing to hear about past paramours are purely selfish. I am…jealous of anyone that has ever gotten to touch you before me.”

This time Jim smiled genuinely.

“You silly Vulcan. None of them matter. I only have eyes for you.”

“And all your other body parts, I hope.” Spock arched a brow.

Jim laughed. “Definitely. Come on. Let me finish this and then we’ll make that reservation.”

“What about Sam’s poor taste?”

“Maybe he got this right.” Jim winked. “He did tell me you were perfect for me.”

Spock inclined his head. “And for that push in my direction, I am grateful.”

Flash Fic, October 27, 2021

“Captain James T. Kirk.”

The guy behind the desk looked up. “Are you really?”

Jim nodded. “Yes. And Commander Spock. Here to see the prisoner.”

“Which one?”

Jim glanced in Spock’s direction.

Spock straightened. “Cadet Vanik. We were told he was brought in two hours ago.”

“Oh, right. The half Vulcan. Okay, cellblock twenty.”

“Can we take him home?” Jim asked.

The man looked at his list. “Yes. Long as you pay the fine.”

Jim looked once more at Spock, who nodded.

Jim left Spock to it and then went through the indicated door into the corridor and the cells.

He found cell twenty.

“Vanik.”

The young man quickly straightened from the bunk he was resting on and stood, rushing to the bars.

“Uncle Jim!”

Jim looked at him. “What are you supposed to be?”

Vanik looked down at himself. “Frankenstein.”

Jim arched both brows. “I see. Want to explain yourself?”

“Well, um, there was this party and this fight and…”

“You got in a fight.”

Vanik hung his head. “Yes, sir.”

Jim glanced down the corridor as Spock and a guard came their way.

“All right. We’ve paid your fine. You can come home with us.”

“Thank you!”

The guard opened the door and stood back to let Vanik exit the cell. “You’re free to go, kid. Don’t end up in here again.”

“I will not.”

****

“Uncle Jim seemed angry,” Vanik told his uncle much later as they sat having tea together.

“More…disappointed. Our time is limited here in San Francisco. We depart on the Enterprise the day after tomorrow. Jim has many conferences prior to that and he was forced to take time off from his schedule for us to retrieve you.” Spock sipped his tea. “With your parents on another planet, they looked to us to literally bail you out.”

“It was a Halloween party.”

“I gathered by your choice of attire.”

Vanik blushed. “There were attendants of the party being unpleasant and I admit my emotions were not entirely under control.”

“Given Sybok is your sire I am not altogether surprised. Still you will be lucky if this does not affect your record at the Academy.”

“Do you think it will?”

“What will?”

And suddenly Jim was there, at their outside table, looking good enough to eat, Spock thought, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt with a leather jacket. He carried with him a coffee and a pumpkin cheese Danish which he was already devouring as he sat.

“Uncle Spock wondered if my arrest would make it to my Academy record.”

Jim nodded. “It would have, yes, but somebody you know and love was able to use his influence.”

Vanik brightened at once. “Really? Thank you, Uncle Jim.”

Jim waved that away. “Just see that you keep out of trouble from now on, Vanik. Spock and I will be leaving again and your parents—”

“Yes, yes. I will behave.” Vanik reached over and tore off a piece of Jim’s Danish.

“Is that behaving?”

“But—”

Jim laughed. “It’s fine, kid.”

Vanik smiled slightly. “And you? You two are well? With everything?”

“Of course we are.” Jim smiled at Spock and touched his fingers to Spock’s.

Spock’s eyes warmed. “Now, tell us how your classes are going.” Vanik popped the pastry into his mouth. “Very well. My one class is—”

Flash Fic, October 13, 2021

Jim pulled at the flesh flaking off his face. It was itching like crazy. He knew he shouldn’t have let himself be talked into wearing so much make up and fake skin. Sure, he looked the part of a zombie, but he was completely uncomfortable and probably having some kind of allergic reaction besides.

The zombie contacts were killing his eyes, making them red. Which okay might be a nice effect for his costume, but he was miserable and his eyes were watering and making his make up run.

And don’t even get him started on the zombie wig. His head itched something awful and he’d began to wonder if it really was new and not used as the Halloween shop guy had claimed.

He had managed to secure himself a spot in the corner of the party, where he sipped lightly at a cocktail with a beating heart. Okay it was really just a cherry but that’s what the bartender had called the drink, the Beating Heart.

Jim was sorry he’d come. No one he’d been told would be there had shown up. The band, the Crimson Ghoulies, were pretty awful.

“Brainssssss.”

Jim rolled his eyes. Ever since he’d arrived partygoers had been coming up to him and yelling BRAINSSSS in his face. He was over it.

But when he glanced over at the latest one, it was someone else dressed in a zombie costume, fairly similar to his.

“Uh, yeah. Brains. Hungry for them.”

The other zombie stared blankly at him. He had his arms outstretched toward Jm.

“Brainsssss.”

“Yeah, brains. I get it. We’re both dressed like zombies.” Jim didn’t recognize the guy, but there were plenty of people at the party he didn’t know. He gestured with his thumb. “Bartender’s there in the back if you want to get a drink. I think he’s got one called Brains.”

The zombie guy continued to stand in front of Jim, his mouth hanging partway open. He smelled too, a bit like rotting flesh. Jim shivered.

“I think you’re taking the zombie thing a bit far, buddy.”

“Brainssss.”

“Beat it, dude. I’m not interested.”

And as Jim was about to turn away and ignore the guy, a hooded figure came up behind him and shoved what looked like a Vulcan weapon straight through the middle of the guy. He collapsed at Jim’s feet, his now oozing flesh beginning to steam.

“Holy crap, what—”

The guy lowered his hood and looked calmly at Jim. “He was indeed a zombie.”

“What?”

“I am Spock of Vulcan, a zombie slayer, if you will. Come with me.”

“Huh?”

Spock sighed. “This area of Earth is about to be overrun with zombies. I have a ship that will take us away from Earth while the zombie apocalypse takes place. You will be safe with me.’ He paused. “Or would you prefer to take your chances with him?”

Jim looked down at the now disintegrating creature. “Oh my God. That’s so gross.”

“Jim.”

He looked back up at the Vulcan. “You know my name?”

“I know everything about you. There is little time and you may wish to remove your costume. Come.”

“How’d you know I wasn’t a real zombie?” Jim asked, moving away from the corner where he was to follow Spock.

“As a slayer, I have the ability to distinguish them.”

“I still don’t understand—”

They got into the lift.

“Other than that guy, everyone else seemed normal.”

Spock nodded. “He is the start of it. Or is among those that are the beginning here in San Francisco. I would rather we leave and get you to safety before the city is overrun.”

“Me? Why?”

“You are…important to me. Once I have gotten you to safety, I will return to do my slayer duty.”

“But—”

The lift opened and Spock grabbed Jim’s arm and tugged him out and down a corridor.  At the end of that was a door and he pulled Jim through.

A ship waited there.

A man Jim thought he had seen before in Starfleet stood outside the doors of the ship.

“You got him, then?”

“Yes, Mr. Scott.”

The door of the ship opened, and a tall, slim, dark skinned woman emerged. She smiled. “Thank goodness, Spock. You got your T’hy’la?”

“Yes, Nyota.”

Jim was brought on board and there were others there too.

Spock pointed. “There is the refresher. You can go in there to clean up. A change of clothes awaits you.”

“Spock, who are these people?”

“My crew. Other zombie slayers. Go, Jim. We are about to leave.”

Shaking his head, confused and a little wasted from alcohol, Jim went into the refresher to shower and remove all evidence of the costume. He ripped at the horrible contacts first.

He stared at himself in the mirror. His heart pounded hard in his chest as he felt movement under his feet. The ship was taking off.

“Well, Jim, you wanted excitement and adventure. Guess you’re about to get it.”

He got in the shower, closed his eyes and let the water wash away the grime of the make up. But then he opened them quickly. If there were zombies out there, he’d better be on his guard.

After he was finished and dressed in the clothes left for him, Jim exited the refresher.

Spock waited for him. “Teach me,” Jim said. “I want to learn to be a zombie slayer.”  

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