Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

We come to the end of June (thank goodness, it’s been a rotten month for me). Look for Christmas in July starting next week!

Jim had never been a fan of extreme temperatures in either direction. He hated toe be cold. But at least you could curl up in front of a fire under a cozy blanket. Turn the furnace on. Bundle up.

But sometimes when it got too hot no amount of AC cooled him off. You could only take off so many clothes. Stay in the pool for so long.

Anyway, no. He liked mild temps.

This place was not that.

On the surface, pun intended, he could understand why the Vulcans chose this planet to colonize after the unfortunate and horrific destruction of their own. The surface temperature was a million which they were used to.

“Your propensity for hyperbole is showing, Captain.”

Jim sighed. “Maybe not a million.”

Spock arched a brow. “We would all be dead if it were.”

“And honestly, that sucks by the way.”

Spock gave Jim a perplexed look.

Jim tapped a finger on his forehead. “ I didn’t say that out loud, you know. You’re harvesting thoughts from my brain.”

“It is not ‘harvesting’ thoughts,” Spock almost snapped.

Hit a raw nerve, Jim thought, which only made Spock look more pissy. Unfortunately for Spock, Jim found his pissy face really sexy.

Jim smiled and gestured to the door. “Shall we?”

Spock leaned forward and opened the door. “Father? We are here.”

Jim followed Spock inside, relieved it was a bit cooler inside. Which was good as he swore he was about to pass out.

Spock glanced at him, frowning slightly. “Perhaps you should sit. I thought the doctor gave you a shot to help you breathe.”

“I can breathe, I’m just super hot.”

Spock nodded and grabbed Jim’s hand, leading him over to a chair and practically pushing him into it.

“Father?”

“I am here,” Sarek stated, arriving in the room wearing an absurd amount of layers of robes and looking as cool as a cucumber. Definitely not fair. “I will get you some cool water, Captain.”

“Thanks,” Jim said.

Sarek left briefly and then returned with a glass filled with ice and water, with slices of cucumber. Jim took it and wondered if Spock was the only one harvesting his thoughts.

“Father, I…” Spock paused. “I wanted to advise you that I have…I now have a mate.”

Sarek was silent for a moment and then he looked from Spock to Jim. “I see.”

Spock cleared his throat. “As you have surmised, my mate is Captain Kirk. Jim.”

Sarek nodded and turned to Jim. “Welcome to our family, Jim.”

Jim smiled. “Thank you, sir.”

“We shall now have a celebration meal,” Sarek announced. “You may call me Father if you wish.”

Jim blinked. “Uh. Oh. Okay. Sure.” He felt himself blush. “F-Father.”

Sarek’s lips turned upward slightly. “I believe it will take some getting used to for both of us.”

Jim laughed. “Yeah.”

“I will get things ready for the meal.”

“Do you require assistance?” Spock asked as Sarek turned away.

“No. Please sit and make yourselves comfortable.”

When they were alone, Jim sighed.

“You were nervous?” Spock asked.

“Of course. You weren’t?”

“Somewhat.” Spock admitted. “But you are much admired across the universe.”

Jim snorted, leaned over and kissed Spock quick.

“Drink your water,” Spock murmured.

There was a slight click and cool air flowed down on him from above. “Oh thank God.”

“I believe it was my father who was responsible not a deity.”

Jim laughed again. “Shut up.”

Even if Spock hadn’t noticed Jim jerking his head up, clearly trying to keep from falling asleep, he would have known his captain was bored. Even without him desperately trying to hide a yawn.

He also knew Jim hadn’t gotten any sleep the night before. Neither had Spock, but Vulcans could go without sleep much longer than Humans. And even though the reason for Jim’s lack of sleep had been extremely pleasurable, Spock somewhat regretted it now.

The captain wasn’t trying to be rude. He was tired and the Vulcan speaking at the head of the conference table spoke in an uninflected monotone. On a subject Spock knew Jim wasn’t particularly interested in.

The problem was Admiral Barrington had glanced their direction a time or two, narrowing her eyes.

During the break, Jim got a coffee, but as Spock was trying to bring him outside for some fresh air to wake him up further, Admiral Barrington approached.”

“Captain. Commander.”

“Admiral. We were about get some air. Care to join us?” Jim asked, politely.

“Yes.”

Spock opened the door to outside for her and the captain.

Then she looked back over her shoulder at Jim.

“You do not look well, Jim.”

“Admiral?”

She sighed. ”Forget the Admiral-Captain nonsense. I’m just Mom right now.”

Jim reddened. He looked chastised.

She glanced at Spock. “I expect to see you both at dinner tonight with my husband.”

It was a recent marriage for her. Dr. Adam Barrington was a much admired physicist and brother of the Federation president.

Still, Spock was surprised. The invitation for dinner hadn’t included him before.

“Admiral—”

“I have eyes, Mr. Spock.” She sighed and turned back to Jim. “The collar of dress uniform barely covers the marks.”

Jim’s eyes widened. “Mom!”

She rolled hers. “Wear something casual to dinner, both of you. No uniforms. Maybe a turtleneck though.” She was smiling. “I’m glad you finally snagged him. I did wonder.”

Jim choked on a laugh.

“You do look terrible. No sleep? You never did handle that well. Listen, the rest of this isn’t any more interesting than the first part. Go get some sleep. You’re excused.” She arched a brow at Spock. “You aren’t.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Jim looked enormously relieved. “Really? I’m excused?”

“Just from the conference today. Not from dinner. You’d both better be there.”

“We will. I will.” Jim leaned over and kissed her cheek. Grinned. “Thanks, Admiral.”

His mother laughed. “Weird as hell, right? Did you ever think I’d get this kind of promotion?”

“It’s not underserved,” her son assured her. “See you and Adam for dinner.”

Spock was grateful Jim was going to get to rest but, admittedly anxious about the dinner. With a shrug, after the break, Spock returned to the conference, his attention riveted by the speakers.  

PS. I’ll be gone all weekend to Vegas (planned trip so I will be hobbling around), so any response will be delayed!