Star Trek Alternate Original Series

Flash February 02, 2026

Uhura moved out of his arms and gave him a tired smile. She looked good, though. She wore black slacks and a camel-colored sweater with big gold hoops in her ears.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Jim told her.

“Same.”

He gestured to the table. “Join me?”

Uhura nodded. “Let me just get my drink.”

He slid into the booth and a minute or two later she came back carrying what looked like an orange soda. She sat across from him and gestured to the drink beside him.

“Shirley Temple?”

“I’m here with my mother. She stopped drinking a while back. She’s joining me shortly.” He picked up us whiskey sour. “Where’s Spock?”

She stared at him just as she brought the orange drink to her lips. “Spock and I aren’t together anymore.”

He frowned. “You aren’t?”

“We’re divorced. Last year.” She shook her head. “Didn’t he tell you?”

“We don’t keep in contact,” he admitted softly.

Uhura closed her eyes briefly. “Who told you about Pavel passing if it wasn’t Spock?”

“Admiral M’Benga. On-on behalf of Bones.”

She lowered her gaze, eyes sad. When she looked back at him there was just the barest wet sheen there.

“It was a simple enough divorce. No kids. No bond.”

“You guys didn’t get bonded on New Vulcan?”

Uhura rolled her eyes. “No. And I can’t believe you don’t know that either. We were going to, after you married us, that was the plan. But the Elders on New Vulcan said we weren’t mentally compatible.” She grimaced. “After that Spock retreated even farther away from me. We should never have forced the marriage, but I guess we all thought that was the thing to do at the time. Have one moment of joy after everything. Trouble was the feelings we once had for each other couldn’t be recreated no matter how hard we tried. And we did try.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, and he was. He’d wanted it to work between them after it hadn’t worked between him and Spock.

“You really should talk to him, Jim.”

He ignored that and forced a smile. “How are you doing then? I’m guessing you’re going somewhere since you’re here at the bay.”

She brightened. “I’m going to Alonder 2. I might not be with Starfleet anymore, but I took a position as a communications director with the Federation’s President. She’s sending me to Alonder 2 for a conference related to their possibly becoming part of the United Federation of Planets. Do you know it?”

“I’ve heard of it and its richness of minerals.”

“Which is why they are desirable to join.” An announcement came over the speakers and she began to scoot out of the booth. “And that’s me. We should really get together soon, Jim. I know how difficult it’s been with the others, but I’d like to keep in touch.”

He nodded. “Okay. Take care of yourself, Nyota.”

“You too. And talk to Spock.”

She hurried off then just as his mother came through the swinging doors of the bar. She glanced back at the way Uhura had gone and then joined Jim at the table.

“Was that Commander Uhura?”

“Former Commander Uhura, yeah. She works for the President now and is off to Alonder 2.”

His mom nodded. “I’ve got our bags packed and already on the shuttle for Orion.” She picked up her Shirley Temple. “Paperwork is in order too. And I have a shot for you.”

He finished off his whiskey sour. “A shot?”

“Orion pheromones can be dangerous and you’re a magnet for attractive members of both genders no matter the species as well as a magnet for danger.” She pulled out a syringe from her purse. “Stick out your arm.”

“Is this really necessary?” But he stuck out his arm, and she pushed up his sleeve and pressed the needle in.

“We need to stay focused on the mission, Jim. Get those kids and get out.”

February 2, 2026 1

January 30, 2026 Flash

“I’m sorry, Mom. I know how hard that was for you.”

They were back on the road, headed to Cedar Rapids to the commercial shuttle bay for the shuttle that would take them to San Francisco and then one that would eventually take them to Orion.

It had been a gloomy visit. Warren hadn’t remembered his sister Winona, Jim or even his own daughter. But his mom had tried and her gentle patience with her brother had touched Jim.

“It was yeah,” she admitted. She glanced at him. “What about you?”

Jim sighed. “I can’t pretend I didn’t think about Chekov. But his situation was a little different than Uncle Warren’s. He ended up in a facility because he was catatonic. After that mission…” Jim shook himself. “He was too young for that to happen.”

“I don’t think there was anything you could have done, honey.”

“Logically I know that. I feel guilty sometimes. Not because of what happened, because, well, of course. But because when they notified me, he’d passed, I was relieved.”

She reached over and patted his leg. “It had to be difficult seeing someone you cared about and who you felt responsible like that, a shell of what he once was. No one would blame you for feeling relieved. He wouldn’t suffer anymore.”

“That’s what I tell myself. Everyone tells me there was no chance he’d ever come out of it, and I trust what they said, but sometimes I just don’t know how to feel. I don’t want to dwell on it but it’s hard not to.”

“Well, not many people dwell on tragedy as much as I have so I get where you’re coming from. Try to remind yourself, as I try, that he wouldn’t want you to suffer so much over it. You know? The best we can do is to honor who they were and how they lived. And not waste our own lives. Took me a long time to learn that.”

Jim nodded and looked out at the road. “Were you close when you were young to your brother?”

“Not as close as I wish we’d been, honestly. He was older by a few years. Thought I was a brat.” She laughed. “He was right. Here we are. Let’s hope it doesn’t take too long to get to San Francisco.

The shuttle from Cedar Rapids to San Francisco was uneventful. But shortly after they arrived, his mother stopped next to a bar.

“Why don’t you go in and order us something to drink? I need to get our tickets and a few other supplies we’ll need, so go on in there and wait for me.”

Jim frowned. “How long will we be there? I didn’t pack anything.”

She smirked. “I know. Leave that to me. That’s part of what I need to get. I won’t be long. And I’m not sure. I’m hoping at the most we’ll be there overnight and on our way. I don’t anticipate any problems.”

“I always anticipate problems.” Jim retorted.

“Yes, I know. Go in. Get a refreshment and relax. I’ll join you soon.”

With a grimace, Jim went through the swinging doors, they were made to look like old-fashioned saloon doors and headed for the bar counter and ordered their drinks.

He was just carrying them over to a booth when he heard his name called.

“Jim? Jim, it is you.”

He set them on the table and turned to greet Nyota Uhura, who flung her arms around him to embrace him.

January 30, 2026 6

Flash January 26, 2026

You can expect two posts a week while this is going on. One will always be Friday but the others will vary. Here is number 2

“First we need to go to Cedar Rapids,” his mother explained as they left Riverside in her hover car. “The commercial shuttles in Riverside don’t go to San Francisco but the ones there do. From San Francisco we can get one to Orion.”

“Right.”

“But first we have to make a stop in Iowa City.”

Jim glanced her way. “What for?”

“To see Warren.”

His mind blanked. “Warren?”

She sighed. “My brother. At his assisted facility.”

Jim sank lower into the seat and looked out the window. “Sorry, Mom. I know I keep saying that…but…I should have paid more attention to our family.”

“No,” she said softly. “It’s my fault. When your dad was killed I gave up on life. For far too long I lived in my own head.”

“I sure know what that’s like.”

She patted his leg. “I made a lot of mistakes, honey. I distanced myself from my family so no wonder you don’t remember any of them. And I lost Sam because of my foolishness.”

Jim smiled wistfully. “He’s out there somewhere, Mom.”

“And don’t get my started on my very much ex-husband. I put up with his shit for too long. And we all lived to regret it.”

“We can’t change the past, Mom. But we can work on a better future.”

She smiled and nodded. “Yes. And part of that is telling Warren we’re getting his grandkids. Look, I know he probably won’t even know we’re there but I have to try and tell him. I owe him. You know my brother and his wife, Caroline, offered to take you and Sammy when I couldn’t handle things.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“I stupidly said no. Instead I saddled you with Frank.”

“May he rest in peace,” Jim muttered.

She looked at him quickly. “He’s not dead.” She paused. “Is he?”

He shrugged. “One can hope.”

“So Iowa City is up first. We should be there in no time.”

“Weren’t they living in Nebraska or something?”

She laughed. “That’s right. So you remember something. But after Caroline passed and Melanie left to Orion, I wanted my brother in a place closer to me.”

“Gotcha.” Jim sighed and closed his eyes. “I don’t do well with kids.”

“You do fine.”

“No. I feel…lost. Like I have no idea what to do with them. How old are Melanie’s kids anyway?”

“Brick is nine and Isabella is seven.”

“Brick?”

His mother shrugged.

“Why did she kill her husband?”

“I really don’t know. I haven’t heard from Melanie in years. Well, I hadn’t until she contacted me after she got arrested and asked me to come for the kids.”

The sign for Iowa City came up and after a couple of more signs, she got off the highway. Eventually she pulled up in front of a huge facility that resembled a Gothic mansion.

“Fancy,” Jim commented as he got out of the hover car.

“I wanted some place nice. The gardens are amazing.” She hesitated. “You don’t have to come in to see him. You can wait out in the lobby or something.”

Jim frowned as he opened the door for her to enter. “Why would I do that?’

“In case…considering what happened on that last mission with—”

“It’s okay, Mom. I can handle this,” Jim assured her gently.

“If you’re sure. I wouldn’t want to upset you. Make you think of…” She trailed off and bit her lip. “I won’t. Let’s go see your brother.”

January 26, 2026 6

Flash January 23, 2026

So I got an idea for a story that if I posted it on AO3 right now they’d come after me with pitchforks because I’m not updating the stories there right now. So I decided to post it here on the blog for several weeks (minus February 14th which will be as previously reference related to last week’s flash).

So it’s a continuing story with a somewhat more mature cast (as the actors themselves are really) so I hope you will bear with me while I post it here. Thank you.

Photo by Guillaume Meurice on Pexels.com

“Wake up, sleepyhead.”

Jim opened one eye to peer wearily at the cheerful visage of his mother.

“What’s up?”

“You are hopefully. Come on, up and at ‘em. We have things to do.”

Jim blinked. “We do?”

“Yes.” She pulled off his covers. “Up you go. And while you’re at it, shower. You’re starting to stink.”

He frowned and sat up, glancing toward the window of his childhood room. At least it wasn’t snowing.

“What time is it?”

“Just past seven. But we have a long trip ahead of us. And shave while you’re at it. You’re looking scruffy.”

Before he could question his mother further, or argue if he wanted to, she was out of the room and heading back downstairs.

With a sigh, Jim scrubbed his face and got out of bed. He headed for the bathroom and turned the shower on.

When he came down thirty minutes later, showered, shaved and dressed in jeans and a t-shirt she had coffee ready for him, which he gratefully accepted.

“Where are we going exactly?” He took a large swallow of his coffee.

“To pick up Melanie’s kids.”

“Who is Melanie?”

She gave him a look that oozed disapproval. “Your cousin. My brother’s daughter.”

He wracked his brain trying to remember her but couldn’t. He wouldn’t have seen in her in decades so he cut himself some slack.

“So, uh, why exactly?”

“They need someone to take care of them and I guess that’s going to be me. So I have to go. And I can’t leave you here by yourself so you’re going with me.”

He drank more coffee. “You could, you know.”

“Not in the state you’re in. And anyway it would do you good to get out and about. You’ve been here two weeks and haven’t left the house.”

“I’ve been outside and to the barn more than once,” Jim protested.

“You know what I mean.”

He grimaced. “I’m supposed to be on vacation. You know. You’re not supposed to have to do anything.”

“Vacation my ass. And anyway ever since they took your ship, you’ve been like this.”

“Have not. Up until my vacation I went to work every day teaching cadets how to be swell in Starfleet.”

“Swell.” She rolled her eyes. “You know you didn’t want to leave space.”

Jim nodded. “I didn’t. But that last psych eval convinced them I should take early retirement, so I did. And they made me an admiral, so how can I complain?”

She put her hand on his arm. “We all know what you and your crew went through on that last mission, Jim. No one blames any of you if it became difficult to continue.”

“Yeah, okay, whatever. So where is Melanie that we have to get her kids?”

“Jail. Eventually prison when she gets convicted.”

“Convicted for what?”

“Murdering her husband. Stabbed him fifty times.”

Jim stared at his mother. “What the hell?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Out of her mind on drugs or something. That’s for her lawyer and the courts to decide. But unless we want those kids to go into foster care, we have to get him.”

He followed her to the coatrack where there coats were and grabbed his to put on.

“Wait, what about your brother?”

His mother gave him yet another look. “You could maybe pay attention when I tell you things. He’s in a facility now for memory care. After his wife passed, your Aunt Caroline, he started forgetting a lot. Turns out he has dementia. Melanie’s the only kid they ever had. Her husband’s folks passed years ago. So, we’re it. Or I am, anyway.”

“Sorry,” Jim said, sincerely. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

She hugged him. “It’s okay, Jimmy. I know how it’s been for you. I’ve packed a bag for you.”

“Where are we going anyway?”

“Orion.”

“Orion?” Jim was flabbergasted.

“I did say it was a long trip. Melanie was married to an Orion. Buckle up, honey. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

January 23, 2026

January 09, 2026 Flash

Rated: PG in case you are, er, um…offended by the functions of the body, or at least mention of them.

“Do Vulcans fart?” Jim asked, inappropriately, sure.

“What?”

They were trapped in a cave. The only way out would be folly. The aliens that had managed to injure both officers waited somewhere out there.

Jim had his back against an uncomfortable rock wall that dug into his back with sharp precision. He held his phaser at the ready, should it become necessary.

Spock sat nearby also holding his phaser. He had green blood smeared across his forehead from his injury. Jim’s left leg was currently oozing blood also from an injury.

“Do they fart?”

Spock gave him a trademark ‘you’re a dumbass human’ look. “I am not having this discussion, Captain.”

Jim shrugged. “I mean, I figure they do. Because you know, you’re humanoid and all. And all humanoids have those, er sorts of bodily functions, hell, even animals do. When my brother and I were kids, we used to speculate about that.”

Spock pursed his lips but did not make an inquiry as to what Jim meant.

“We’d play this game where we wondered which alien species would fart.”

“That is ridiculous.”

Jim laughed. “Well, we were kids. Bored kids at that. We’d sit out in the cornfields at night, looking up at the stars, and wishing we were anywhere but there. With Frank. He wouldn’t come out to those fields, so we spent a lot of time there.”

“I see.”

“I’ve spent time in pretty close quarters with a number of Vulcans, including you, and I’ve never smelled anything. So I wondered. But logically I’m guessing you do.”

“You are delirious,” Spock said without inflection.

He laughed again. “No. Just…I know I’m going to die here and I’m trying to distract myself with idiotic conversation.”

Spock glanced his way, but Jim didn’t move his own head to look at Spock. He kept his gaze trained where his phaser was pointed…the entrance to the cave.

“You are not going to die,” Spock said quietly.

“Sure.”

“At least not today,” Spock qualified.

Jim sighed softly but did not reply.

“For the record,” Spock spoke up. “I have also been in close quarters with you and have never smelled anything.”

Jim chuckled. “Good to know. You know you’re funny. No wonder Uhura wants to marry you.”

“Nyota does not wish to marry me.”

“Since when?”

“Likely around the time we ended our romantic relationship two months ago.”

“I didn’t know that,” Jim admitted.

“Because you do not pay attention,” Spock told him. “You are deliberately obtuse about a number of things.”

“Name one.”

Spock arched his eyebrow. “Besides the end of my relationship with Nyota?”

Jim rolled his eyes. “Yeah, obviously.”

“You do not seem to be aware that I have been attempting to court you for two months.”

Now Jim did look at Spock, with his mouth hanging open. “You what?”

“I have made my point.”

Jim blinked and looked back at the cave entrance. “Well. I mean, for the record, you are very subtle.”

“Clearly too subtle.”

“Clearly,” Jim said dryly. “So, um, suppose we do make it out of this alive, would you…I mean…would you like to do something together that might be considered a date?”

“Yes, since everyone else believes we have been dating for two months.”

“Now you’re delirious.”

“Ask them when we return to the ship,” Spock replied.

“If we do, you bet your cute ass I will.”

His communicator beeped to life.

“Son of a bitch.” Jim fished it out of his pocket and flipped it open.

“Scott to Captain Kirk.”

“Scotty! Spock and I are injured. Can you beam us up?”

“Locking on to your signals now.”

Jim grinned. “Hallelujah!”

In seconds he and Spock appeared sitting on the transporter pad. Bones stood, scowling, nearby.

“Scotty,” Jim shouted. “I could just kiss you!”

“You probably ought to leave that soft of thing to Mister Spock.”

Jim looked at Spock, who shrugged.

Bones came to Jim, ordering orderlies to help him onto a gurney.

“Hey Bones? Are Spock and I dating?”

“For the last two months, why?”

Jim sighed, glanced at Spock again, and grinned. “I guess you are my boyfriend.”

Spock’s lips twitched. “So it would seem.”

Bones rolled his eyes. “Take them both to the medbay. Stat.”

“Bones, do you think Gorns fart?”

“That’s it.” Bones took out a hypo and aimed it at Jim’s neck.

“Nooooo.”

January 9, 2026

Flash Fic, November 07, 2025

This is “family” themed month. Enjoy

“It’s going to be all right, Captain. Just rest.”

Jim nodded, or tried to. It seemed to take more strength then he could manage.

Uhura. That’s who was with him. She put her hand on his forehead.

“You’re burning up.”

“F-freezing.”

“That’s the fever,” she told him. “But it’s going to be okay. They’re coming for us.” She tucked blankets around him, the emergency kind, so they weren’t particularly soft and cozy.

“I know, Jim, but that’s all we have.”

He hadn’t realized he spoke that out loud.

“You’ll be with Spock any minute, okay? But in the meantime you need to stay with me here. Rest but don’t close your eyes.”

His dry lips felt like they were about to crack open and bleed. “Water.”

She held up a canteen and helped to lift his head up so he could take a sip.

“You need to drink more.”

“No. Save it for you.”

“I don’t need it. And they’ll come and get us before I will,” Uhura insisted.

“Listen.”

“I’m listening, Captain.”

“Tell Spock—”

“No. You tell him yourself,” she said firmly.

He was dying. He knew he was. And he was fading fast. He could barely think coherently. He’d been speared in the side by a native of the planet and he’d been bleeding pretty badly. He was going into septic shock. And unless the ship beamed them up right now, he was going to die.

“Not going to make it,” he whispered.

“You are too!. Listen to me, Jim Kirk. We’re all supposed to have shore leave in just a couple of weeks on Earth and we’re going to your mom’s farmhouse in Riverside for a big Thanksgiving gathering for all of us as family and you most certainly are going to be there!”

“Nyota.”

“You are! They’re going to get to us any minute and then Leonard is going to fix you.”

“Tell Spock—” He closed his eyes.

“Jim! No! You open your eyes! You hear me! Open your eyes.” She sobbed and grabbed hold of him. “Open your eyes!”

****

He woke up. Somehow he was not dead.

“There you are.”

“Bones?”

Bones gave him a small smile. “Welcome back.”

“I thought I was a goner.”

“We all did. We beamed you up with Uhura draped over you begging you to wake up. If it weren’t for Spock—”

“Spock?”

“He’s here. He did something in your bond, somehow he brought you back.” There were tears in Bones’ eyes. “Here.”

Bones disappeared and in his place was his…Spock.

“Hey.”

Spock grabbed Jim’s hand and held it tight.

“Close huh?”

Spock nodded but did not speak.

“Guess I’m going to make it to that Thanksgiving shore leave after all.”

****

“Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh, through the white and drifted snow.”

Jim, Sulu, and Bones finished singing as they approached the Kirk Farmhouse.

“Only she’s not our grandmother, this isn’t a sleigh, and there’s not a hint of snow anywhere!” Jim declared.

Spock said, “The original poem was actually written to Grandfather’s house and was written in 1845.”

Jim grinned. “Thanks for the history lesson, babe.”

“You are welcome, Jim.”

“Doesn’t know sarcasm when he hears it,” Bones muttered under his breath.

They all got out of the hover car and headed to the kitchen door to enter the house. They’d always used that door growing up, Jim mused, rarely using the front door.

His mom greeted them warmly and as they all filed in before him, Jim used the chance to pull Uhura aside before she entered the house.

“I wanted to thank you for everything you did down there,” he told her.’

She smiled. “It was nothing, Captain.”

“It was more than nothing and we both know it.”

“You would have done the same thing for me. And now we’d better get in there. Ever since that incident, Spock won’t let you out of his sight.”

Jim laughed. “Yeah.”

And sure enough Spock was waiting anxiously by the door.

“Still okay, honey,” Jim assured him.

Spock looped a hand around Jim’s upper arm and held on to him, drawing him close. Jim let him.

“Now, welcome everyone,” his mother said, cheerfully. “We’re going to have turkey and stuffing and pie, and yes some vegetarian fare, and wine and cheer. We’re all thankful and blessed.”

I’m here Jim sent through the bond, sensing some underlying anxiety still coming from Spock.

For which I am thankful.

Jim smiled and squeezed his hand, then accepted the glass of wine his mother brought to him.

November 7, 2025

Flash Fic October 17, 2025

AI generated picture

“It’s really coming down out there.”

Jim turned away from the window. Outside the rain was slashing violently against the window, lightning flashed, and an occasional large boom of thunder could be heard in the distance, though he thought it was likely coming closer.

Bones sighed. “There’s no leaving here tonight then. Hopefully it’s better in the morning.”

They were in a cabin in the woods. They were lucky to have found the shelter since originally they had been tent camping.

“Yeah.”

Bones poured whiskey from a flask into a mug. “Fortunately this place is pretty well-stocked. We should have booked this cabin in the first place.”

Jim had found the contact information when they entered the cabin and had notified the owner they were there and would reimburse whatever they used. He had been glad the owner was pretty cool about the whole thing. The cabin was a rental, anyway, and Bones was right, they should have rented it to begin with.

But nothing about this trip had gone right.

It was meant to be a little camping trip to celebrate the end of their five-year mission. Bones had fond memories of camping with his dad when he was a boy and he had talked Jim and Spock into the idea of a couple of days.

Of course now Bones said they should have rented a cabin. It had been his damn idea to do the tents. But Jim wasn’t going to point that out. He was cranky and miserable. The clothes he wore still clung damply to his skin and he’d only just got the fire going in the fireplace.

There was also the plain fact Spock was not with them. Just before they were to leave on this camping trip from Hell, he and Spock had a huge fight. Spock declared he was going to New Vulcan to visit his father instead and that was that.

Jim thought maybe they broke up. He wasn’t even really sure.

Somehow Bones talked him into making the trek into the woods for camping anyway. They’d barely set up their tents when the storm came. A bad storm that had collapsed their flimsy tents and drenched them.

They had made their way back to their transport car only to find it wouldn’t start and it was stuck in the mud, anyway.

So here they were. Wet, cold and miserable. He’d change into dry clothes except that the rain had soaked the clothes he’d brought with him, too, as his whole bag had been drenched.

“I suppose you blame me for all this,” Bones grumbled as Jim joined him once more by the fire.

Jim picked up his own mug of coffee mixed with whiskey. “Nah, you couldn’t have known we were going to get the storm of the century. They didn’t even predict it.”

“True. But I knew you weren’t thrilled with the tent thing.”

“Eh. I was a boy scout a long time ago. I slept in a tent a few times.”

Bones smiled faintly. “You’re being too nice. I’m sure things would seem better if, well, you know.”

“Spock didn’t dump me?”

“I’m sure he didn’t dump you, Jim. He’ll cool off and when we get back to civilization you’ll contact him and the two of you will kiss and make up.”

“Mm.”

“This isn’t the first disagreement you ever had,” Bones pointed out.

“I know.”

Bones sighed. “I’m going to go and take a nice hot shower. I promise not to use up the hot water.”

Jim offered his friend a smile. “Thanks. I only wish we could put on dry clothes.”

They’d hung up the clothes they weren’t wearing by the fireplace. Unfortunately the cabin, though having a lot of amenities, a dryer was not one of them.

Bones disappeared down the hall to where the bathroom was and Jim continued to stare into the fire.

But a few minutes later he heard what sounded like a howl. Surely there weren’t any wolves in this area.

Jim waited to hear it again, but nothing.

He was just about to relax again when he heard a screech. He stood up and set the mug down. He went back to the window to look out, but all he could see was blurry rain. There was another flash of lightning and this time the thunder followed almost immediately after.

“Okay, really, get ahold of yourself, Jim,” he told himself out loud. “Just the storm. Storms have weird noises.”

Or a rat. Did the cabin have rats? Although a rat might screech, it wouldn’t howl.

He shook his head and went to the cabin door and opened it to look out at the storm and surrounding area. Another flash and boom.

It was hard to see very far in front of his face as the rain was pouring down harder than he’d seen in years.

“Hello?”

Not that he expected a wolf or other animal to answer him. And he got nothing. Just silence. The rustling in the trees.

Jim took a step back, wishing he had a flashlight or even his phaser.

Then there was another howl, this one sounding like…a ghost. His hair stood on the back of his neck and he rushed back inside, slamming the door shut.

“There’s no such things as ghosts,” he reminded himself.

And really, how did anyone even know what a ghost sounded like? This had been more of an angry moan then a mournful cry. Did ghosts have emotions?

“No, because there aren’t any ghosts,” he reminded himself.

And then the knob of the cabin door rattled.

Jim grabbed a log to use as a weapon, went to the door and wrenched it open.

“Spock!” Jim dropped the log and flung himself into Spock’s arms. Spock’s arms closed around him.

After a moment, Jim pulled back slightly.

“Get in here! You must be soaked and frozen half to death.”

He yanked Spock inside and closed and locked the door.

“Spock, what are you doing here? I thought you went to New Vulcan.”

“I intended to,” Spock admitted. “But I could not let another day go by where we were angry at each other. I apologize.”

“No.” Jim shook his head. “I’m sorry. Let’s get you out of that wet coat.”

He helped Spock remove his heavy raincoat and then once more threw his arms around Spock, holding tight.

“Where is the doctor?”

“Shower. How’d you find us?”

“I surmised when I saw your destroyed camp that you logically sought shelter elsewhere. I searched until I located this cabin.”

“I’m so glad you’re here. I…was a little worried.”

“Worried?”

Jim shook his head and smiled. “That maybe we broke up.”

“Impossible.”

Jim laughed. “Maybe. Did you hear howling by any chance?”

Spock arched a brow. “Howling?”

“Er. Never mind.” Jim kissed him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

October 17, 2025

Flash Fic, October 03, 2025

We start this month out with Fall/Autumn stories. No Spooky with this one!

Jim had just stepped outside the house, carrying a large uncarved pumpkin, when the hover car pulled up next to the cobblestone pathway his mother had put in some years ago.

He continued over to where he had decided to place the pumpkin even as he was aware of the tall, thin Vulcan getting out of the hover car.

“Captain.”

He crouched down and placed the pumpkin on the ground. “Jim. I’m definitely not on duty.”

“You are not answering your communicator,” Spock said, a clear reprimand in his tone.

“That’s right.”

“May I ask why?”

Jim straightened and stood. He walked backward to admire his handiwork on the Autumn décor.

“I’m not required to. Regulation 2465, Part A. If officer has been relieved of duty while under investigation they are not—”

“I know what the regulations say,” Spock interrupted.

Jim smiled faintly. “You probably wrote some of them.”

“Your being relieved of duty is temporary,” Spock pointed out. “And can be rescinded at any time. How would you know if you ignore attempts to contact you?”

“I figure they’d send a representative from Starfleet if that were the case.” He eyed Spock. “Is that the case?”

Spock shook his head. “That is not the purpose of my visit.”

“Ah.” Jim nodded, then shrugged. “Okay. So we’re back to I’m perfectly within my legal right not to respond. I was suspended for six months, Spock. I’m barely half a month into that suspension.”

“You are surely aware that you will not be suspended for those entire six months.”

“I am not aware and don’t call me Shirley,” Jim said with a laugh. And when that was met with a blank look, Jim laughed more. “Never mind. What do you want, Spock? And why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be acting captain?”

“I refused the position.”

Jim frowned. “It needs more pumpkins. And maybe some other gourds. Hang on.” He took out his personal communicator. He’d also ignored messages from friends on that too. His Starfleet one was up in his room, stuffed into his desk. He tapped out a message, closed it, and repocketed it. “Why? If you did, who is acting captain?”

“William Decker was brought on board upon my refusal.”

“Decker? Hmm. I guess he’ll do fine.”

“If you have concerns, you can fight the suspension and be reinstated sooner.”

Jim laughed. “I have no concerns, Spock. And I don’t regret my actions during that battle. Ten thousand lives were saved. That matters to me, even if it doesn’t to them.”

“I agree you did nothing wrong, but regulations—”

“I’m really not having this discussion with you. I haven’t been in Riverside for Fall since I was a kid. I intend to make the best of it.” He sighed. Looked up at the gathering clouds. “Want to go inside?”

Spock paused for a moment, looking slightly pained, and then said, “Yes.”

Jim led the Vulcan into the house, turning lights on from old-fashioned switches as he did.

“It’s nice to be back with no signs or ghosts of Frank,” he commented.

“Your stepfather.”

“Yeah. Dead and buried now. Thank God. And that might sound harsh, but I don’t care.” Jim went into the kitchen and poured himself coffee from the carafe sitting on the coffeemaker. “You can replicate yourself tea over there by the wall if you want. Or I think there’s a tea kettle around here.”

Spock went to the replicator and had it make him tea.

Jim added cream to his coffee and then leaned against the counter to observe Spock.

“There was a rumor she did him in.”

Spock arched a brow. “Who?”

“Mom.” He shrugged. “It was officially ruled a heart attack but I don’t think anyone really believes that. It wasn’t investigated too closely because he was a rotten Human Being. Terrible abuser of me and my brother, and mom.”

“You are serious?”

“About my mom? Yeah, maybe. I mean she’s never said, but who knows. I thought about it myself a dozen times.”

“Where is she now?”

“In the city, getting us some supplies. She’s living here full time now that she retired from Starfleet. And madder than a hornet about my suspension.” He grinned.

“I have taken a leave,” Spock announced then.

“What for?”

“I told you before I have no desire to serve aboard the Enterprise without you.”

Jim sighed. “I broke things off so my actions wouldn’t interfere with your career, Spock.”

“I don’t consider things ‘broken off’,” Spock said with a hint of a sneer. “I do not agree to end our relationship.”

“I said I wouldn’t bond with you.”

“I am aware of what you said and when all of this has been settled we will revisit that.”

Jim set his coffee cup down and went to Spock, who immediately pulled him into his arms. He could feel Spock trembling slightly as he held onto Jim.

“I didn’t want to wreck your Starfleet career,” Jim said into Spock’s chest.

“I do not think either of our careers will be wrecked, but if they are, then they are wrecked together.”

Jim laughed and pulled back to look at Spock. “You’re nuts.”

“I surmised that when I first realized I was in love with you.”

“Wait, is that a joke? Who knew you could tell jokes?” He kissed Spock. “I love you. That’s never going to change.”

“Just as my feelings will stay the same for you. Jim, we are together. And that means together in everything.”

“But my decisions shouldn’t harm you.”

“They did not. I agree with your actions.”

“Despite regulations?”

“Yes. And I believe ten thousand people also agree with your actions.”

“How long is your leave?”

“I specified that it would be as long as your suspension whether that is the six months conveyed or if it shortened when they conclude the investigation in your favor.”

“They might not.”

“They will.” Spock kissed him this time. “In the meantime, I have arrived with belongings that are still in the hover car and if you and your mother are amenable, I will spend my leave here with you.”

“Oh, I’m very amenable.”

Just then the back door opened and his mother came in.

“I got your gourds but you have to get them out of the car. Oh. Hi, Spock.” She smiled. “It’s lovely to see you.”

“I am pleased to see you as well.”

Jim wasn’t surprised at all when his mother came to Spock and hugged him, and Spock allowed it.

“Jim told me that you and he weren’t—”

“Jim was wrong,” Spock said coolly.

His mom laughed. “And that’s exactly what I figured. I’m so relieved you’re here. You’re staying of course.”

“Of course.”

“It would serve them right if they lost both of you. Old men assholes.” She sniffed. “I have groceries and gourds in the car. Firewood, too. You boys can go bring them in for me.”

Jim smiled at Spock. “Shall we?”

Spock took his hand and they went out to unload everything together.

And yeah, in reality, Jim knew they would rule in his favor, but he intended to spend as much time with his mom and Spock like this as long as he could.

October 3, 2025

Flash Fic, March 14, 2025

This isn’t really what I wanted to post for this week but time got away from me and I didn’t have time to devote to the flash I intended to write, so you get this one. It’s sort of a mix of POVs which I don’t like to do in the same scene but eh, it is what it is. It also ended up being a bit longer than I thought it would.

Uhura didn’t often come to this part of the observation deck. At least not anymore. It was nicknamed “The Crying Room” because it seemed the location most chose to come when they were feeling particularly down. You had to be an officer to have access to this area and it had some of the best views of the stars and also many private areas for reflection.

When her relationship with Spock was ending, she’d come there but she’d moved on from those days. She no longer felt sorry for what was not meant to be and looked forward to the future.

She wasn’t even sure what brought her there this particular night. Intuition of some kind, maybe? Whatever. She had only been there a few short moments looking out at the vastness of space when she heard someone crying.

They weren’t far away and she turned to leave, feeling as though she was intruding on the person’s grief, but something in the way it sounded reminded her of who it might be and that was strange. She wouldn’t have expected to find him here these days. Maybe once, but now…

“Captain?”

Uhura approached the corner area where she knew there was a small alcove with a cushioned bench, like one of the old-fashioned fainting couches in long ago history. It was secluded and she guessed many didn’t even know it was there. There was one small round window that looked out to space, like a ship’s porthole.

“Captain?”

He was huddled in the bench, legs pulled up tight to his chest, arms wrapped around those legs.

“Jim? Are you all right?”

He shook his head but didn’t speak.

She was torn about what to do. He seemed so distraught she didn’t think it would be good to leave him like this.

“What happened?” she asked after a moment.

He wiped his eyes. “I’ve just had a really bad day.”

Not too far away was a chair that she could bring over so she did so and sat close by him..

“Like what? Tell me,” she urged gently. She wanted to contact Spock but first she needed to know how bad the situation was.

He didn’t answer at first and she thought he might not and she was prepared to get Spock anyway.

“I woke up after a nightmare with a really bad headache. Bones stabbed me with a hypo in the neck when I told him. And they always hurt, but I don’t know maybe he got it in a weird spot, because it really hurt. And then I was notified Wilkins didn’t make it.”

“Wilkins?”

“Security guard injured during the mission yesterday.”

“Oh,” she said softly.

“Then Komack contacted me. He’s sending us to a sector that’s known to be hostile and dangerous. I argued about it, got reprimanded for arguing and told to go anyway. That’s likely going to cost us more casualties. Lots of crew members injured or worse. And why? Because bureaucrats say so. People signed up to explore new words and civilizations not to get murdered by maniacal alien forces.”

Uhura didn’t respond to that. Everyone knew it was possible but Jim knew that just like she did.

“Spock and I had a big fight.”

Oh.

“How big? Like not talking for a few days or break up big?”

He closed his eyes.

“Listen, it can’t be that bad. Spock loves you. Like a crazy amount.”

He blew out a long breath. “Then my mom contacted me. Sam…he’s dying. There was an accident on Deneva where he’s been living. He’s not expected to survive. I haven’t…you know…he’s still my brother.”

“You really have had a bad day,” Uhura agreed. “I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”

If he heard her, he didn’t acknowledge it.

She slipped out of the room and pulled out her communicator. “Uhura to Spock.”

It didn’t take long. “Spock here.”

“Listen, Jim’s in the observation area known as the Crying Room. He’s upset.”

“We had an argument and—”

“No,” she interrupted sharply. “Whatever your issue is, get over it. He’s really upset, Spock. I guess Leonard hurt him and Wilkins didn’t make it and Komack is being Komack and—”

“Nyota—”

“Spock. There was an accident and his brother isn’t expected to live.”

“I am on my way.”

Uhura wasn’t that surprised when he made it very quickly. She squeezed his arm and walked away, leaving her two commanding officers to it.

“Jim?”

Jim looked at Spock, his eyes brimming with tears. “Uhura contacted you?”

“Yes.” Spock stepped forward, scooped Jim up in his arms and moved to sit on the bench Jim had been only a moment before.

“We’re both not going to fit,” Jim protested.

Spock had to acknowledge he was right. “Will you come with me to your quarters?”

“Okay, but you’re not carrying me. I’m walking on my own.”

Spock agreed and set his captain down.

They departed the room and made their way to the turbolift in silence. Jim kept his gaze down and Spock was glad as they made their way to the captain’s quarters that they didn’t come upon anyone.

He entered Jim’s code and Jim stepped inside followed by Spock.

Spock instantly enveloped him in a tight embrace.

“I apologize for speaking in anger before.”

“Me too,” Jim mumbled against him.

“Do you want something to eat?”

“No.”

“Shower?”

Jim shook his head.

“Then let me get you ready for bed, where I will hold you and you can tell me everything.”

Spock took Jim’s hand and led him to the bed. He undressed his captain, then helped him into his pajamas, before undressing himself and putting on his preferred sleeping robe.

Then he got them both into the bed and pulled Jim close to him once more.

“I don’t like it when we fight.”

“I do not either. I was about to look for you when Nyota contacted me to apologize. I am so very sorry I contributed to your bad day, Ashaya. Your brother—”

Jim closed his eyes and pushed closer still to Spock, who tightened his grasp on him.

“I haven’t talked to him in years. Now I’ll never get the chance.”

Spock closed his eyes. “I lost a brother too.”

“You had a brother?”

“Half. My father disowned him.”

Jim looked at him. “So there’s still a chance that someday—”

Spock shook his head. “I have learned he perished on Vulcan when it was destroyed.”

“Oh.”

Spock kissed him. “Tell me about Sam.”

“Once he was my hero…” Jim began. .

March 14, 2025

Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

Tag

Flash Fic, October 03, 2025

Follow Blog via Email