“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.”
“I can’t believe I let you drag me to this,” Bones grumbled.
“Oh, come on, you love this stuff.”
Bones gave him an incredulous look as they stood outside the theater waiting for it to open.
“I do not. First of all, there is no such thing as a headless horseman.” He paused. “There’s no such thing as a headless anything. Well, I mean that still lives…sorta lives. You know.”
Jim chuckled. “It’s all based on folklore. And anyway, tell that to Irving Berlin.”
Bones frowned. “What does he have to do with it?”
“Well, he wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. What we’re about to see.”
“Lord, why do I know you? Irving Berlin wrote White Christmas.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, the song. Sleepy Hollow was by Washington Irving, genius.”
Jim grinned, unphased. “Whatevs. Spock and Uhura are in the play and I said we’d come.”
“What are they playing?”
“Uh. Uhura’s playing Katrina Van Tassel. Spock’s playing the horseman.”
“You’re kidding!”
“No, I’m not. She roped him into it. He’s the biggest, strongest looking guy and he fit the costume. Since he didn’t have any actual lines, Spock agreed to this one time performance.”
Bones smirked. “Now I’m actually looking forward to it.”
“Believe me he told me he regrets agreeing. He’s had to do rehearsals every night for two weeks. Comes home every night so exhausted we can’t even—”
“Yeah TMI.”
Jim rolled his eyes. “I’m just glad this is finally the performance night. Now he can get back to performing—”
“La la la.” Bones stuck his fingers in his ears.
“The doors are opening. Be quiet.”
****
A couple of hours later, Jim and Bones exited the theater.
“I have to say that was a an unexpectedly chilling performance out of Spock.”
“You mean you almost peed your pants,” Jim joked.
“Not quite, but he does make a believable headless horseman. It was a better time than I thought, Jim. I apologize.”
Jim choked and grabbed his chest. “Oh no, Bones apologized, I’m dying!”
Bones grinned. “Shut up.”
“Why is Jim shutting up?”
Spock had appeared suddenly, it seemed, though Jim was sure it really wasn’t. He still wore the dark clothes and the long cape of the horseman.
“Oh, he isn’t,” Bones said. “He never does. I would think you’d know that. Great performance, Spock. I mean that.”
Spock nodded. “Don’t lose your head over it.” He paused. “I mean that.”
Jim burst out laughing. “You made a joke. You’re so cute.”
Bones gagged. “I see Uhura over there. Gonna say hi. Nighty night, boys.”
Jim grabbed on to the edges of the cape. “I gotta say, you look delicious in this. You should have worn this on the ship.”
“This attire does not meet Starfleet regulations for appropriate attire.”
Jim sighed. “I guess so. It’s cold out here.” He shivered. “If we don’t get home soon my joints are gonna stiffen up. It’s hell getting old.”
“You are hardly old, Jim. Didn’t the Admiralty just send you a message about another five-year mission?”
“Uh-huh. But sometimes I wonder if we shouldn’t leave that to younger guys.” He smiled. “Anyway, you ready, honey, or do you have to do something else?”
“I should remove this costume and return it to the costume department. Can you wait here?”
“Sure, but hurry. It is cold.”
Jim moved to the side of the theater to get out of everyone’s way and huddled there. The minutes passed and passed and still Jim was waiting. He would be getting concerned but it was Spock, and no one was more reliable than Spock.
But soon Jim was pretty much the only one still standing outside the theater. He turned to the door, but it was locked. He bit his lip.
“Shit. What do I do now?”
He felt for his communicator even as he heard a noise behind him. Suddenly his heart rate picked up. The show had been spooky. But there were no such things as headless horsemen tossing jack-o-lantern heads at unsuspecting victims.
And yet…why did it sound like the clip clop of horse’s hooves behind him.
Breath held, Jim started to turn around when the theater door opened.
“I am so sorry, Jim.” Spock rushed toward him. “The zipper got stuck and the costume department head wanted to be careful with it so they could use it again in the future. I intended to just rip it.”
Jim blew out his held breath and looked around. There was nothing there. He turned back to Spock, swallowed, and attempted a smile.
He was a starship captain, for God’s sake.
“No big deal. But can we go now? I’m freezing.”
Spock took his coat off and put it on Jim. “Yes, ashayam. We will go now.”
They turned in the opposite direction from the sound Jim heard and he couldn’t help but be glad.
He made it home without losing his head. That was a huge plus.
“Fortunes told.” Bones read the sign and then glanced at Jim. “You up for it, Jim?”
Jim scoffed. “Are you kidding? These fortune tellers are hokey as hell.”
He crossed his arms and stared at the sign. They were at a Harvest Festival. In Georgia of all places. Yes, thanks to Bones.
They had a two week leave on Earth and somehow, he let the doctor talk him into going to Georgia with him.
Sure, it was true, Jim had no where in particular to go. His mom wasn’t at home in Riverside, and he had no real desire to hang out in the empty farmhouse. Spock planned on attending some science symposium in San Francisco and made no particular overtures that Jim’s presence would be welcome. Which okay, they weren’t “together-together” but Jim thought maybe they’d been working their way in that direction.
Still—
“Maybe I should go with you, Spock.”
Spock had stared at Jim for a good minute without blinking. Amazing really.
“I am afraid you would be quite bored, Captain.”
And that was Jim’s clue that that illogical human captains were not included in the plans.
If he didn’t know that Uhura was going to Scotland with Scotty, he’d be worried they were reconciling despite Spock telling him that he was romantically interested in Jim.
And he got dragged to the festival by Bones and his young daughter. There were pumpkins and hay. Definitely lots of that. And apples and cider and all things fallish.
“Please, Uncle Jim. It’d be cool!” Joanna exclaimed.
Jim looked down at the pint-sized McCoy. “Fine.”
“Yay!”
Jim gave Bones a look who grinned back and then he lifted the flap and went inside.
The fortune teller was shrouded in veils so he couldn’t even see her face, but she indicated he should sit on the stool in front of her table. He did and she grabbed his hand.
“Oh you’re a man of some importance.”
“Right.”
“You’re going to meet a tall, dark haired man who will sweep you off your feet!”
Jim laughed. “Already did, lady.”
“See my fortunes are true.”
Jim smiled. “Uh-huh.”
“In fact…” She paused dramatically. “He’s waiting for you outside.”
Since Bones was the only dark haired man waiting for him outside, he laughed again. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”
“Go and see. That’ll be five credits.”
“What? That’s it? Geez.” He stood, reached into the pocket of his jeans and tossed credits on the table. What he did for kids.
He stepped out of the tent, shielded his eyes from the sun, and then-
“Spock?”
Spock stepped toward him. “I grew bored at the symposium and missed you. I contacted the doctor and he provided your location.”
Jim embraced him. “Then this whole fortune teller thing was a setup.”
Bones chuckled. “‘Fraid so, Jim. That was Joanna’s mom, my ex.”
“I’ll get you later,” Jim promised. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Spock’s lips quirked slightly just before Jim kissed him.
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.”
Leonard stopped his hover car in front of the Kirk farmhouse.
It was mid-October and the house was decorated for Autumn and Halloween with pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, leaves and witches. It made Leonard smile.
No matter what everyone thought of Jim, he could be entirely sentimental about such things.
The Enterprise crew was on an extended leave after the end of the five-year mission. Most had signed up for a second one, very few had not. Though Leonard had been dubious about going on another, Jim had wheedled him into with a…
“Bones, I need you.”
He’d already spent a month visiting with his daughter and he intended to go back once this task was over. He didn’t really know how he’d got roped into it, actually.
He got out and went up the steps to the front door. Along each step, Jim had placed pumpkins. At the top was a white one.
Leonard knocked and as it took a really long time for the door to be answered, he realized he had stupidly not let Jim know he was coming. Maybe Jim wasn’t even there.
But then finally the door opened and a bleary-eyed Jim stared out at him.
“Bones?”
“Jim! You look like hell. You been sick?”
“What? No. Come in.” He held the door wide and Leonard noticed that save for the kitchen, there were no lights on in the house.
He looked fully at Jim for the first time.
Jim wore only a pair of pajama bottoms. His hair was askew. He had dark circles under his eyes and what looked like bite marks on his chest and neck.
“I’ve interrupted something, have I?” Leonard asked with a smirk.
Jim just gave him a look. “Coffee?”
“I don’t want to be any trouble.” He glanced at the stairs. “Is she up there? Let me guess. Orion.”
Jim snorted. “You’re always trouble. Coffee or not?”
He was already making a pot, so Leonard agreed.
“So…Orion?”
“No. And he’s sleeping.”
“Wore him out, huh?”
“Something like that.”
Jim bent down and reached into the fridge. He took out half and half and a plastic box. “Pumpkin donuts.”
“You went all out.”
“Mm. These are a couple of days old, but they should still be good. I’m starving.”
Jim brought them to the table, poured two mugs of coffee and then sat down. Leonard joined him.
“Thought you were in Georgia.”
“I am.”
“I have something to tell you, Bones. This is Iowa.”
“Hardy har har. Think I want to be here? Bothering you on your leave? I was with Joanna.”
“Then…?”
“M’Benga and Starfleet contacted me. The Vulcans are looking for Spock.”
Jim frowned. “Spock? Why? What’s wrong?”
“Guess there’s something going on with a lot of the surviving Vulcans. Many of the younger ones have been going into pre-mature…uh…there’s this thing. Called—”
“Pon Farr.”
“You know about it?”
“Spock mentioned it to me some time ago. At that time, he expected if he went through it, it would be with Uhura. He wasn’t sure as he’s only half Vulcan.”
“Right. So I guess they haven’t been able to reach him to find out if he’s having some of the symptoms. Because I’m CMO of the Enterprise they asked me to try to find him. He’s not on New Vulcan and Uhura hasn’t heard from him.”
Jim took a bite of a donut. “They’re not together.”
“I know. But I thought if he was desperate and he had no one else he might seek her out. Hasn’t though. I tried contacting you for the last few days but you haven’t been answering, so that’s why I came here.”
Jim winced. “Sorry, Bones. I’ve been, uh, busy.”
Leonard smirked. “So I know now. Some of the younger ones facing it have been having trouble mating and that’s why they want to check on Spock. See if he’s experiencing any of this.”
“Trouble mating? Like what?”
Leonard shrugged. “The urge is there but the equipment’s not working. They have medical personnel and healers working on it to save them. I doubt there’s—”
He stopped as he heard footsteps on the stairs.
“Jim? I woke and you were not—”
Leonard felt his eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.
Standing at the bottom step of the stairs was a naked Spock. He looked a bit dazed and flushed.
“Uh, yeah. Sorry, sweetheart. Bones arrived looking for you.”
Spock blinked in Jim’s direction, but he said nothing.
“I needed some food too. I’ll be right back. Go up to bed and I’ll be there in no time.”
“Jim.”
“I promise, Spock. I’ll be right after you.”
Spock barely glanced at Leonard, but he nodded, gaze a little lovesick as he looked at Jim, but then he turned on his heels and went back up the stairs.
“You could have said he was here,” Leonard said sharply.
“I was protecting his privacy,” Jim murmured, sipping his coffee. “He’s, uh, in Pon Farr right now.”
“So I gathered. You and—”
“Yep. We’re bonded. And I gotta say, he’s had no trouble with his equipment.” Jim finished his coffee and donut and stood. “I really need to get back up there as it’s not over.”
“Clearly.”
“You can stay if you want, but I gotta warn you it might get loud.”
Leonard pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m torn. Part of me thinks I should stick around for it to be over so I can check you two lovebirds medically, but the other part of me can’t wait to get out of here. Either way, I’ll notify M’Benga and Starfleet and Vulcans that Spock’s fine.”
“Thanks.” Jim headed for the stairs. “If you decide to stay, there’s a room down here to the left of the stairs.”
“How much longer has he got?”
“Hell if I know. This is the end of day three. See you, Bones. Soon or not.” Jim chuckled and then made his way up the stairs, favoring one cheek as he did so.
Leonard sighed. He probably needed to get his medical bag out of his hover car and stay a few days.
Jim stood before the stone structure. It was many stories high and had a large arch opening here at the base of it.
The Beast of Vulcan.
He’d come here seeking adventure after being bored for weeks. His mother had brought him to this planet while she worked there in a lab. Jim had been on Vulcan for three years now and had finished his education, near the top of the class, quite a feat for a Human.
He was old enough, now, to leave on his own and seek his own path in life, which he intended to do, but his mother had asked him to stay just a bit longer, and Jim was bored.
And he’d heard about this place.
A place where a legendary beast was hidden within. Or so the stories went. Some didn’t believe it and most never bothered to go there. Some that had were chased away. None had ever managed to get to the top where it was said the beast lived.
Jim intended to do just that. With his backpack of survival supplies at the ready, Jim headed toward the arch, determined.
In the middle of the first floor was an old stone staircase. Jim had been told that this was once a mighty fortress, pre-Surak times. Jim climbed it, being careful to watch for weak spots, yet there were none.
The second floor seemed to be a series of old empty rooms devoid of furniture or anything. It was hauntingly lonely, Jim thought.
This time the stars to the next floor were on the side, so Jim made his way to the third floor. So far he had seen nothing nor had he been attacked, but he could hear the faint sounds of movement above him, on another floor.
“The beast?” he whispered.
Of course there was no answer and Jim expected none.
The third floor was similar to the second except there was an ancient table in one room. He also noticed far more evidence of insect activity. He found the stairs and went to the fourth floor. The sounds above grew louder and somehow for ominous.
Jim thought he heard low growling as he moved from room to room but he couldn’t see anything. He was grateful for the flash light he’d brought with him as there were no openings or windows on this floor and he’d be in darkness otherwise.
He was about to put his foot on the stairs to the fifth floor, Jim thought there were two more floors after that for a total of seven, when a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.
“Ahh!”
“Jim, it is me.”
Jim turned, heart in throat, to stare at Spock. “Damn it, you scared the crap out of me.”
Spock gave him a disapproving look. “I followed you, for I knew you could only be up to no good.”
“Well. Not always.”
“Yes, always. Jim, this place is not safe, please leave with me.”
“But there’s only three more floors until I reach the beast.”
“The beast is merely an illogical legend. It does not exist.”
“I heard growling,” Jim suggested.
“Likely your stomach for you failed to eat this morning.”
Jim sighed. “But, Spock…no one’s ever gotten to the top.”
“It is a broken down old dwelling that could crumble under your feet at any time. I would like us to make it to Starfleet Academy in one piece.”
Jim let his words sink in. “Wait. You’re coming with me? But I thought the Vulcan Science Academy—”
“I turned them down in favor of Starfleet.” Spock paused. “And you.”
Jim smiled and leaned in to kiss his boyfriend. “Now that’s most excellent news.”
“Leave this place, Jim. If it is adventure you seek, we will surely find it together in Starfleet.”
Jim looked at the stairs going up regretfully. “All right. But it might have been fun. Beauty and the Beast, you know?”
“I suppose you are the beauty.” Spock directed him toward all the exits.
“Duh, of course.”
“I can find no illogic in that statement. You are singularly attractive.”
When they reached the ground floor, Jim switched off his flashlight.
“I am relieved,” Spock admitted.
“You aren’t afraid of the beast legend, are you, Spock?”
“Not truly, no. But there are tales within my family that one of my father’s brothers came here and never returned.”
They stepped outside and Jim saw that Spock was quite relieved.
“You really were worried about me going up there, weren’t you?”
“It is logical to be cautious and concerned where one’s mate is involved, Jim.”
Jim smiled. “All right. Let’s go home then. I am hungry.”
And as Jim and Spock walked away from the Beast’s lair, on the seventh floor, looking down, the Beast roared.
“This all seems like so much hocus pocus if you ask me.”
Jim gave his friend a wry look. “Pretty sure no one asked you, Bones.”
He stood, hands on hips, and looked up at what could surely only be a hologram or something of an old earth haunted house. This planet was nowhere near Earth and so Jim doubted it was authentic. He just wasn’t sure why the inhabitants of this planet would create such an illusion for their benefit.
“How come you didn’t bring Spock?” Bones asked pointedly.
“He doesn’t have to come along every time.”
Bones gazed at him. “He doesn’t?”
“No. He can stay up there and be commanding on the bridge.”
“And he made you mad again.”
“Shut up. He did not.”
Bones smirked. “Uh-huh.”
Jim looked around. “What happened to Ensign Monroe?”
“She was just here a moment ago.”
“Kirk to Monroe. Kirk to Monroe.”
Bones frowned. “I don’t like this.”
“Martin, did you see where Monroe went?”
Lieutenant Martin looked up from his tricorder. “Said something about going to investigate that structure, sir.”
“Damn. Why do people not listen to me? I didn’t say anything about going in there. Kirk to Enterprise.”
“Spock here, Captain.”
“Can you do a scan of the planet and see if you can locate Ensign Monroe?”
“Scanning now, Captain.”
Jim stook a step forward but Bones stopped him with a hand firmly on his arm.
“Don’t take another step, Jim. Look at the ground.”
Jim looked down and saw the ground bubbling up a strange greenish blue. “What the hell?”
“Acid of some kind, Jim. If you stepped in it—”
“Enterprise to Captain Kirk.”
“Go ahead, Spock.”
“No life signs for Ensign Monroe. The Enterprise is also experiencing…”
“Say again Spock?”
“If we do not…it is recommended…”
“Spock, you’re breaking up.”
“Jim, Martin’s gone.”
Jim turned and looked. “What?”
“Initiating emergency beam up.”
Jim saw Bones waver and then the sound of transport.
He and Bones appeared on the Enterprise.
Jim stepped down. “Spock, what’s going on?”
“The Enterprise is breaking up in the atmosphere of this hostile planet, Captain, if we don’t…”
The ship began to shake violently and the instruments in front of Jim in the transporter room exploded and began to burst into flames.
“Get us out of here—”
Jim sat up straight, heart racing, body covered in sweat. “Fuck.”
He was alone in his quarters, and it was still dark.
“Computer lights.”
Light lit his quarters which looked completely normal.
“Kirk to Bridge.”
“Sulu here, Captain.”
“Status, Mister Sulu?”
“Normal, sir. Steady course to Starbase 4.”
Jim nodded. He had his hand on his heart. “Thanks. Kirk out.”
The door to his quarters opened and in walked Spock.
“You are awake.”
“Yeah. Dream. Nightmare.”
Spock came to the bed and sat beside him. “Do you wish to talk about it?”
Jim moistened his lips. “Weird planet. Spooky house. Enterprise exploded.”
“I am pleased to advise you that none of that was real,” Spock said, leaning close to kiss him.
“Done with your experiment?”
“For now.”
“Ensign Lilly Monroe.”
“Captain?”
“Where is she assigned?”
“She was assigned to engineering, Jim.’
“Was?”
Spock paused, looking into Jim’s eyes, Jim didn’t know what he was looking for. “She disappeared on the planet Turtonian. Six months ago.”
“Oh.”
“I was unaware you knew her.”
“Uh. Well, it’s good to know your crew.”
Spock inclined his head. “Lily Monroe was not assigned to the Enterprise, Jim. She was in engineering on the Reliant.” Spock kissed Jim’s forehead. “Do you think you can return to sleep? I can assist you.”
“I don’t know,” Jim admitted. He shook his head to clear it. “That was a strange dream.”
“I imagine. I will make you some tea then and you can sit up with me for a while.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Spock went to move away but Jim held on to his hand. Jim smiled a little.
“Just…give me a moment.”
Spock squeezed his hand. “Take all the time you need. I am here.”
But Jim could not shake the sense that something was still not right. He didn’t know what, though, and so he sat holding Spock’s hand for a long time.
Jim stopped his hover car in front of the farmhouse. For a moment, he just sat there. It wasn’t as though he was afraid to get out or anything. Or even actually afraid of his husband. He wasn’t. That would be categorially stupid. Spock wouldn’t hurt him for anything. Excepting of course that incident long ago before they really even knew each other.
He pursed his lips and opened the door. Because yeah, he was no coward. Even if he was about to be lectured.
Vulcan disapproval was sharper than any other.
Speaking of, his wonderful husband had just opened the front door to peer out at him as he went to the trunk of the hover car to get his purchases.
“What did you get?” Spock asks, as he steps off the steps toward the car. He knows Spock will offer to carry everything.
“Oh, uh. You know this and that.”
“This and…that?”
His shoulders slumping slightly, Jim smiled. “Groceries, of course.”
Spock looks at Jim and then into the trunk. “And?”
He shifts. “They, uh, they had their autumn stuff out already at the store.”
When he was a kid they hardy ever got to decorate anything, and sure he’s overcompensating. He knows.
Spock’s glance moves back to Jim’s face. “You already have a lot of fall decorations, Jim.”
“I know, I agree.” His face is flushed red. He knows it is. And some of it is shame and that doesn’t feel good. “They had this pumpkin garden stake with a crow on it and I, uh, I really liked it. So I got it.”
He lifts it out of the trunk to show it to Spock, who is, of course, unimpressed.
“You have ten pumpkin garden stakes.”
Jim nodded.
“Five scarecrow garden stakes. Several Halloween garden stakes. Even a couple with leaves and turkeys.”
Jim looks away. He thinks about how he’s probably going to have to take this garden stake back. Because Spock isn’t wrong.
Suddenly Spock’s hand, gentle as can be, touches his jaw, and bids him look. “One more garden stake is perfect. I know just the spot we can put it.”
He blinked for a few seconds, and then warmth infuses him. “Yeah?” He is nearly breathless.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 