Spock leaned back in the giant spa tub which seemed vaguely obscene in size. Of course this room had been chosen to be luxurious after their “ordeal”. It wasn’t much of an ordeal, Spock had to admit. He and Jim had been together for so long that they had love making down to a “t” as Jim would say. And Pon Farr was just…a lot of love making. Even their first time, Spock discovered it wasn’t the horror he’d always imagined it to be.
Jim had added many soap bubbles, scented with roses, together with rose petals themselves.
“It feels a bit hedonistic,” Spock admitted.
Jim laughed. “This whole place is. Not just this room, this planet.”
“True. Would you join me?”
Jim’s grin widened. “I’d love to.” He dropped the terry cloth robe he’d pulled on earlier to the floor and then lifted a foot, then leg into the tub to join Spock.
After he was settled into the bubbles with Spock, Spock pulled him close so they could snuggle together in the heated scented water.
“Wish we could have one of these on the Enterprise.”
“I do not think they are considering adding such things to the layout of the ship. Even the captain’s quarters.”
“They totally should. We should have one in each one of our retirement homes.”
Spock considered. “You’ve mentioned retirement before. And more than once recently. Are you actually considering it?”
Jim shrugged against him. “Well. I mean someday, right? And I’d like to be young to enjoy aspects of it.”
“And yet during the admiral’s recent call you indicated you’d be up for another five years.”
“Hmm. Does that bother you? I know I probably should have talked to you first.”
“Being the leader of a starship is your first best destiny. I can hardly argue with that.”
“But you can, you know. This is a partnership.”
“Wherever you are, I belong. If you wish to serve another five years I am amenable.”
Jim smiled faintly. “As long as we both come back alive.”
“There is always that.” Spock wrapped his arms tight around Jim. “Still, this is quite nice. You may be right about having one of these wherever we retire to.”
Jim chuckled. “I’m always right, Mr. Spock.” “If you say so, Captain.” Then he put his fingers on Jim’s jaw to turn his face for a kiss
When Spock opened his eyes he felt as though he had been absent from his world for a very long time, yet even as he rolled over from his stomach he noted his bondmate sitting on the edge of the hotel bed, smiling at him.
“T’hy’la?” His throat hurt some from yelling his release during intimacies and so the word came out a hoarse whisper.
“Welcome back to reality.” Jim handed him a glass of water and Spock drank from it greedily. Jim’s hand reached over to smooth a lock of Spock’s hair. “How do you feel?”
Spock considered his answer, then said carefully, “Better I believe.”
“Are you hungry? I bet you are. I have some quinoa and tofu stuff ready for you.” Jim made a face which almost cause Spock to laugh, but he wasn’t quite in a laughing mood.
“You are well?”
“Oh yeah. I’ve been awake and up for a while. I even took a dip in the pool outside our room.” He reached for Spock’s hand and squeezed it. “Let me get that food for you.”
Spock was reluctant to see Jim move away, not because he was still in the throes of Pon Farr, but more because, generally, afterward, he craved extreme closeness to his bondmate.
Jim returned in hardly any time though and returned to sitting on Spock’s bed. He handed him a plate of quinoa mixed with seasoned vegetables and tofu.
“I ordered that when I saw you were waking up. Bones said you’d be out about twelves hours but it was more like fifteen.”
Spock took a bite of the food and nodded. “It was quite exhausting. And I saw that you were settled and resting before I rested myself.”
Jim smiled. “Of course you did. Did you hypo my shoulder? I saw a tiny bandage there.”
“Yes, I gave you electrolytes per Doctor McCoy’s instructions. And a small sedative to help you to rest.”
“You’re good at taking care of me.”
“You are my T’hy’la.” Spock ate more of the food, feeling better with each bite. “You went swimming?”
Jim grinned. “I did. And had a long soak in the whirlpool tub. I never want to leave.”
“We do have a few days left for our shore leave,” Spock commented, amused.
“I think when we retire we should consider purchasing a vacation home on Risa.”
“Hmm. There are a number of possibilities for such things.” Spock finished the food and Jim took the empty plate away.
“Would you like to go for a swim?”
“Perhaps later.”
“The whirlpool tub?”
Spock nodded. “That sounds currently more agreeable.”
Jim stood and reached a hand to haul Spock up. “Come then. There are even bath salts and bubbles.”
Spock brought Jim close for a moment, holding him. “I adore you.”
“I know. Same, Spock. Same.” And Spock allowed Jim to take care of him. Soon, when he was energized, he fully intended to make Jim’s comfort his priority for the rest of their leave. Jim had surely earned it.
Jim opened his eyes to see Bones hovering over him with a medical tricorder.
“Hey.”
Bones smiled slightly as he met Jim’s gaze. “Hey yourself. How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good considering. How’s Spock?”
“Unconscious like last time but otherwise fine.”
Jim nodded and licked his lips. “Kinda thirsty.”
“You’re getting fluids currently and I’ll get you some water in a minute. I’ve ordered you some food too which the staff of this here fancy hotel is bringing up any time.” Bones lowered the tricorder. “Your vitals are near normal. But you need food, water, and rest.”
Jim smiled faintly. “Fortunately I’m in a luxury hotel for that. They even have a whirlpool tub.”
Bones nodded. “When you’ve slept some, go ahead and use it. Should help with any sore muscles. I’ve fixed any actual wounds.”
Jim arched a brow. “Were there a lot?”
“Nah, just a few. Nothing too dramatic.”
“How long will Spock be out?”
“I’d say twelve hours or so. I’ve given him fluids too but see that he eats when he wakes, will ya?”
“Of course I will.”
Bones straightened. “There’s the door and your food. I’ll bring it and then, you, after you eat, go to sleep.”
Jim smiled as Bones helped him to sit up in the bed, and got him situated with pillows behind him so he could eat.
Part of him was relieved they’d made it through another Pon Farr. But admittedly, part of him was sorry it was over. He’d heard terrible things about it before their first one. Spock had even been concerned. But it was nothing they couldn’t handle, either of them, and this one had been even easier.
He could see that Spock was in another bed in the hotel room, lying on his stomach, his hair standing on end every which way. But he looked peaceful, the intense desperation having passed.
And as Bones returned with his dinner, Jim felt pretty peaceful too.
The interview question took Jim by surprise and in order to think about it, he picked up his coffee cup and took a sip of the bitter brew and tried not to wince. There’d been a reason the coffee was mostly untouched since he’d ordered it. This place knew nothing about a good cup of coffee.
He set the cup down with a noticeable clink and looked out over the grounds located near the table he shared with the reporter. It had been a mistake to accept the interview request. He didn’t like giving interviews. Didn’t like talking about himself, no matter what others thought.
Directly next to him and the female reporter from Risa was a row of animal shaped hedges and over and beyond them was an Olympic-sized swimming pool loaded with bathing beauties of both genders.
“Captain, shall I repeat the question?”
“No. It’s just I’ve been with my husband for a number of years, Jill. It’s hard to come up with just one memory. If you could be more specific?”
“Rumor has always been that you two met under difficult circumstances. Did you?”
“Sure. He wanted to bring me up on charges of cheating his test and have me expelled from the Academy.”
“So it is true?”
“Yep.”
She typed madly into her PADD. Jim suspected she was going to make Spock out as some villain in her article. He couldn’t quite have that.
“I did.”
“Captain?”
“Cheat. Sort of. I reprogrammed the test. Anyway, that’s all ancient history.” He gave her a winning smile. ”We got over it.”
She gave him an assessing look. “Like you got over being marooned on Delta Vega where you were almost eaten?”
“That’s classified. How’d you know about that?”
Jill shrugged. “People talk. Is this some kind of honeymoon, Captain? Being on Risa and all.”
“We’ve been married fifteen years.”
“A second or third one then?”
It wasn’t anything like that. Jim had no intention of telling her what it was. That Spock’s Pon Farr was imminent and Risa was close to their location when they became aware of it. There was a luxury hotel there that could accommodate both Spock’s and Jim’s needs, and so here they came. The crew got shore leave out of it too.
But tell this busybody reporter that? No.
“Just shore leave for my crew. They’ve earned it.”
“You don’t think they’ll end up being too rowdy?”
Jim laughed. “I don’t think that’s possible here.”
His communicator beeped and he flipped it open. “Kirk here.”
“I think it’s time for you to report for duty,” Bones said, dryly.
His heartrate punched up, his anticipation too. The last one had been…remarkable.
“On my way.” He closed the communicator and made to rise.
“You have to go now? We haven’t finished my interview.”
“You can submit your questions to me electronically.”
“Can’t you spare just a few more minutes?”
“I am afraid not. Have a good stay.”
And ignoring her pout, Jim headed to the Risa Grand Princess for the definite beginning of his shore leave.
Jim found his first officer alone gazing out from a balcony that overlooked one of the parks in Yorktown. It was just outside of a conference room and something about Spock’s body language gave him pause.
“You okay?”
Spock let out a slow, soft breath, then glanced at Jim. “Nyota and I have ended our relationship.” He paused. “For good I believe.”
“Yeah? I mean, you guys seemed like you were getting close again just two days ago.”
“We disagree on the direction our relationship should take,” Spock replied. “It is not altogether unexpected. It has been challenging between us for a while.”
Jim nodded. “Okay. Listen, how come I didn’t know today was your birthday?”
Spock blinked at him. “I do not know. Vulcans are not in the habit of marking their birth as a remembrance, but it is a part of my official record.”
“I think there’s a reprimand there somewhere,” Jim said. He put his hand on Spock’s arm. “Funny our birthdays are so close together. That’s crazy.”
“I see no particular significance in it.”
“Well, I do. I’ve never had a birthday buddy before.”
Spock frowned. “Birthday buddy?”
“You know you really should have been part of the party two days ago. If I had known…you know, Bones has to know, right?”
“I…”
“I’m sure he does. I’ll have to have a word with him.”
“Captain, I do not think that is necessary.”
Jim ignored that to say, “Want to go have a birthday drink with me?”
Spock glanced away, out at the park. “I am not in the mood.”
Jim deflated. “Oh. Okay.”
Spock straightened away from the railing and faced Jim. “But if you are amenable, we could have tea in my temporary quarters.”
Jim’s gaze met Spock’s and the warmth there made him smile. “I’m definitely amenable.”
“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.
The thing of it was the planet was charming. Jim couldn’t agree more. He still didn’t want to be a part of the holiday festivities.
They’d arrived there a few days on a routine mission to update Starfleet on the colony there. Everything had gone well. The colonists decorated for the Terran holidays and the main city even had snow.
Therefore when the powers that be indicated they could have shore leave there, Jim seeing an eager crew, agreed
Everyone had been thrilled, because they couldn’t get to Earth in any reasonable fashion, but this was almost the next best thing.
And so they were basically “parked there” for the next several days of some R and R.
Jim wasn’t anti-holiday or celebrations, he was just so behind on everything and really wasn’t in the mood to watch happy couples canoodle in front of him. Spock and Uhura being the number one couple he had no stomach to view.
It wasn’t only them. Jim had been feeling a bit lonely even before Altamid and Yorktown, in all honesty. His random carousing days were mostly behind him and he sought a much more mature, loving connection with someone.
Except the one he wanted seemed forever out of his reach.
Of course his desire to stay on the ship for shore leave didn’t stop Bones from coming by his quarters to pester him.
“Come on down to the surface with me, Jim.”
“I’ll pass.”
Bones frowned. “How come? You like shore leave. And I understand there are some pretty sexy women there.”
“Not interested in sexy women,” he muttered.
“Sexy men then. Whatever floats your boat.”
“Right now getting this work done is what’s doing it for me.” Jim waved his hand. “But please. You go and have a blast. Tell me all about it. Sing a few carols for me.”
In the end, though Bones tried to argue with him, Bones went down without him.
He was relieved and still oddly hollow.
Perhaps it was the video call he’d had earlier that day with his mom where she told him she was sitting in the living room of the farmhouse watching a fire made with real wood, sipping eggnog with brandy and enjoying her young grandson, Peter, who had arrived with his father and mother for an Earth visit. He found himself wanting to be with family or…someone who loved him.
Jim was listening to music when some of the crew arrived with a fresh cut Christmas tree to Jim’s quarters courtesy of Bones.
He couldn’t deny it put a smile on his face.
He had no decorations for it, but Ensign Mason advised another crew member would be arriving with lights and decorations.
Jim realized after they left they had not said who. He suspected it was either Bones or perhaps his yeoman.
He’d been working on reports for some time when he head a strange mewling. It was soft and somewhat whiny and for the longest time he was trying to decide where it was coming from.
Jim rose from his seat and went over to the tree the crew had placed in the corner. He bent down and peered inside.
Way far in, near the trunk, was a tiny fluffy little feline creature that greatly resembled an Earth domesticated cat. It was fluffy white like the snow.
“Where did you come from, little one?” Jim reached in and grabbed the little fluff ball, cradling it in his hands. “It’s all right, I won’t hurt you, I promise.”
It had big blue eyes and they stared at Jim, wide and uncertain. But then Jim smiled and used his thumb to gently rub the creature’s head and it began to purr much like an Earth cat.
“God, you’re cute. Were you hiding in that tree?”
Just then someone rang his door. “Come.”
And in stepped, to Jim’s surprise, Spock. The Vulcan carried a shopping bag.
“Spock?”
“Jim, what is that you are holding?”
“I. uh, I don’t know. It…” He paused to study the little thing. “She was hiding in the tree Bones got me. What’s that you have?”
“Decorations and lights for your tree.”
“Aren’t you spending time with Uhura?”
Spock looked at him quizzically as he approached Jim and the kitten creature. “Why would I be with Nyota?”
“Well. Couples—”
“We are not a couple, Jim. And have not been for months.”
Jim frowned. “How did I not know that? And, wait, are you calling me Jim?”
Spock arched a brow. He set the bag down. “What will you do with her?”
“Uh, I guess, I should contact them down there and see if this is a wild animal they want back.” She crawled up Jim’s chest and snuggled into his neck.
“She appears to want to stay.”
Jim smiled. “Yeah she does.” He searched Spock’s gaze. “And you? Do you want to stay, Spock?”
Spock looked up from his notes so fast and rather violently he nearly knocked over his tea. As it was a few drops landed on his notes. He fought back aiming a glare at his mother for stirring in him a reaction best left dormant.
But his mother smiled, unfazed by his hard stare. “He’s absolutely adorable, Spock. You should ask him out.”
“He is Human.”
‘You are half yourself,” she reminded him with an elegant raised eyebrow. “And really, poor boy, hardly anyone talks to him.”
That much was true. Why the beautiful blond haired blue eyed Human was working as a librarian in the Federation Literature Building on Vulcan, Spock couldn’t guess. The man was shy and wore glasses that just made him more, as his mother said, “adorable”.
Once or twice, Spock had seen the librarian walking home from the library to a stark, plain apartment building Spock knew had furnished apartments for outsiders to rent while on Vulcan.
He and his mother were currently having tea just on the other side of that building.
The truth was, his mother was also quite correct that Spock wanted to ask him out.
“Go on,” she urged. “He’s just over there at that table by himself. Ask him out and then have him join us.”
Spock almost said no, but what was that old Earth saying about cutting off his nose to spite his face?”
“It’s almost Valentine’s Day, you know.”
Spock blinked at her. “So?”
“The perfect time to find new love.”
He sighed and pushed back. “It is a date, Mother. Let us not get ahead of ourselves.”
But she grinned, her dark eyes, which he’d inherited, twinkling.
The shy librarian’s eyes widened behind the thick glasses as Spock sat at the chair across from him.
“My name is Spock.”
“Uh.”
“May I have your name?”
“Jim Kirk.”
“Hello, Jim. I would like for you to join my mother and me for tea over there if you are willing,” then Spock paused, “Also, are you free for dinner?”
“To-Tonight?”
“Indeed.”
“With you and your mother?”
“No. With me.”
Jim’s mouth hung open for a moment, and then his tongue came out to trace his lips.
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I am.”
Spock nodded. “Join us?”
Jim looked. “I’ve seen you two before. Your mother is Human?”
“Indeed. Apparently, fondness for Humans is a family trait in my family.” Spock rose and gestured for Jim to do so too. “Shall I carry your teapot for you?”
He was rewarded with a bright smile.
As he carried the teapot over to the table where his mother waited, Jim brought his cup.
Jim smiles to himself as the message makes it to him. Not via PADD, although he’s certain that’s waiting for him, too, but he’s walking back from HQ to the apartment and he hasn’t looked.
It’s now 12:01. He hadn’t meant to leave so late, but there was so much to do, so much to plan for, and with Komack currently out of commission it fell to Jim.
Happy New Year, he said in kind, then added, I Miss You.
He stopped on the way at his favorite pizza place, knowing Jock would keep it open for Jim, which was why had had called ahead.
“Here you go, Admiral. Extra cheese just like you like it.”
“Thank you. And Happy New Year.”
The apartment was dark, of course, until Jim set the lights on, then put his pizza down. There was some old legend, he’d long forgotten the source for it, that said you’d spend the year doing what you did that first day, so that meant he’d be eating pizza, he guessed.
After grabbing a slice, he checked his PADD and sure enough there was a message from Spock.
Happy New Year, T’hy’la. I miss you more than I can say.We’ve come along way together in the last two years and I know that together our love and bond will only grow stronger. I cannot wait to be reunited.
Jim smiled faintly. Two years ago, his heart remained cold to Spock when Spock returned after rejecting Jim. But a year ago, he’d given Spock a second chance. Their relationship was better than it had been before Spock had rejected him, and though Spock was currently off Earth due to Sarek’s illness, everything was good and Jim didn’t miss Spock too much.
But boy was his Vulcan a mushy romantic these days.
He typed that very thing and only a moment later he got a response.
Yes. You are eating pizza.
Through the bond
Jim chuckled. “How did you know?” he asked out loud.
I can smell it.
Smell it? Is there smellivision in the bond?
That would be convenient, but no. Open the door, Admiral.
Smiling big, Jim rose from the table, ran to the front door, and greeted his husband with open arms and a big kiss.
“Now it’s a Happy New Year.”
Jim and Spock from His Heart Remained Cold and Spock’s Second Chance
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 