Jim had just finished putting out the pumpkins and gourds all around his quarters and had a bag of artificial leaves to scatter around when there was someone at his door.
He was not expecting anyone, but he was captain so he could hardly ignore whoever it was.
“Yeah. Enter.”
And he was surprised to see Spock step inside.
“Oh. Hey.” Jim paused, thinking about the possibility he had forgotten some plan. “Were we supposed to play chess tonight?”
“There was no specific plan,” Spock assured him. “But I did think to ask if you were interested in a game.”
The Vulcan’s gaze darted to what Jim had clutched in his hands.
Jim felt himself blush. “I…I was decorating. For um. You know, fall.”
Spock’s brows furrowed. “There is no change of seasons in space on the Enterprise.”
“Yeah. I know. I just…” Jim shook his head. “Never mind. Aren’t you doing something with Uhura?”
“Jim, Nyota and I are not together.”
“Uh. I thought you…I mean yeah I heard you broke up, but I figured you’d get back together. Like you always do.”
“We are not. We care for each other, but we are not resuming our romantic relationship.”
Jim hugged himself, feeling weirdly vulnerable. Realizing he was still holding the leaves, he set them down on his desk. “I had planned on carving a pumpkin too.”
“Carving a pumpkin?”
“Back home it’s October. I got a message from my Mom and we were talking about the seasons and I got a little homesick. I replicated all this. I was going to make a Jack-o-Lantern. And maybe some pumpkin pie. Stuff like that. But sure, if you want to play chess, that’s cool.”
“I would like to spend the evening with you in any capacity. I am amenable to assisting you with your décor.”
“With me?”
Spock visibly deflated. “I had hoped…it is nothing.”
Something occurred to Jim then.
“Wait. You…you’re not going to resume a romantic relationship with Uhura and you’re…Spock. Are you?”
Spock sighed. “Yes.”
Jim allowed a smile to play on his lips. “Bones is right.”
“About?”
“My thick skull.”
He opened his arms and moved toward Spock. “Yes, I’d love for you to stay.”
Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Pexels.com
Bones rushed in as though Jim was in imminent danger or something.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on the planet?”
“I’m back.”
His frown deepened. “But Sulu was supposed to—”
“Sulu was supposed to?” Bones prompted, already moving toward Jim with his medical tricorder out.
“Er.”
“Distract me with minor invented injuries so I wouldn’t notice you’re sicker than a dog?”
“Where’d that saying come in anyway?”
Bones shook his head. “You have a damn fever, Jim.”
“Is that why my eyelids are hot?”
“Idiot. Well, you’ve got a zinger of a cold, that’s for sure.”
Jim nodded. “I figured that’s what it was. I took myself off duty and I’ve got tea and everything.”
Bones looked past him to his screen. “That doesn’t look like you’re off duty.”
“Bones, I have reports oozing out of my hot eyeballs.”
“Yeah? How come?”
“That new damn Admiral Colton. He doesn’t like me,” Jim said, with a touch of petulance he could not help. “Mom says he went to the academy with Dad and that he never liked Dad either. They were rivals or something. And ever since he found out I wanted that vice admiral job on Yorktown he’s been looking for ways to prove I’m unfit for command.”
“What? Why?”
Jim shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s got something against me. Implies I have daddy issues or whatever. He wants me subjected to psych eval.”
“Psych eval? Why haven’t I been notified?”
“Because so far I’ve put him off that idea.” Jim sighed. “So here I am proving myself all over again. All of this has to be in before shore leave, which he barely agreed to, I might add. I can’t afford to be sick, Bones.”
“But, Jim, you are sick,” Bones protested.
“So shoot me with some hypos, feed me chicken soup, and be done with it.”
Bones leaned on the desk. “You’re suggesting hypos?”
Jim grabbed his tea and cradled it in his hands. “Desperation.”
“Why not ask Spock for help?” Bones asked, even as he pushed a hypo into Jim’s neck.
Jim bit his lip. “I don’t know. Things are still kind of strange between us.”
“How?”
“He tried to leave and I tried to leave and we both know it now. And, to be honest, we were kind of on strange terms even before all that. He kept giving me strange looks across the room.”
“Spock always gives you strange looks,” Bones told him. “You’re too illogical for his logical brain to take.”
“The last thing I want to do is push him to decide to leave again by piling work on him,” Jim told Bones. Then he smiled a little. “Anyway, I’m hoping if we can just get this shore leave, it’ll be better.”
“Hmm. What are we doing for this shore leave?”
“Oh nope. I’m not your wingman this time, Bones. I have plans. You’ll have to find someone else to hang with for shore leave.”
Bones eyed him. “Wait. You have plans? With Spock?”
“Get real. Of course not with Spock. He doesn’t even take shore leave, you know that.”
There was one time with Uhura where she had finally convinced him to go with her and they’d had such a disastrous time they hadn’t spoken for a full week. Another one of their on-again, off-again things. Which was a large reason Jim was convinced they’d be on-again in no time. There was a time…but no. He didn’t go there anymore. And wouldn’t.
“This time I’d say he needs it and you should go with him.”
“What? Bones, come on. Not that depressed Vulcan bullshit again. Spock’s fine. And he doesn’t need me to hold his hand or babysit him,” Jim insisted. “I’m spending my leave with Areel.”
“Areel Shaw?”
“Yep.”
“Are you nuts? She tried to ruin your career two years ago or have you forgotten?”
“Oh that.” Jim took a sip of his tea, happy as it soothed his aching throat.
“You must be delirious. Areel is not for you.”
Jim snorted at that but it didn’t work due to his clogged nose. It sort of came out sounding too wet and gross. “I’m not going to marry her, Bones. We’re just going to spend leave together. A while back I saw her on Yorktown—”
“You mean you fucked her.”
“Well, sure. Why not? Everyone else was doing their thing, why shouldn’t I?” Jim sighed. “Anyway, we’ve kept in touch ever since. The shore leave thing came up and it worked out in both our favors. So, no offense, Bones, but I have plans and I’m not changing them.”
“If you’re better.”
“I’ll be better.” He smiled. Ignored the pounding in his head. “I need to get back to these reports, so—”
“I’m going. But I intend to check on you later. Make sure you get rest and fluids.”
“Thanks Mom.”
“Shut up.” Bones straightened away from the desk. He went over to the replicator and then returned with chicken soup which he put beside Jim. “Eat that.”
“Yes.”
“And go to bed early.”
“Yes.”
“And don’t contaminate anyone else.”
If nothing else this will make you re-read some old fics! LOL
It was weird not being on the Enterprise for three months, but it’s something Starfleet forced Jim to agree to after the end of their five-year mission. He was signing up for a new one, another five years, which he’d debated at least a thousand times with everyone he knew. And had decided that, yes, the decision was right for him.
Yet still they’d insisted on leave.
For the first month he’d been the dutiful son and visited his mom. She was thrilled for the visit.
But then now he was on New Vulcan, of all places, doing three six week classes to young Vulcans. Battle Leadership Tactics. Considering Jim’s checkered past with reprogramming a certain test, Jim had been surprised at the invitation, but Sarek had assured him it was genuine.
And it had allowed Spock to spend some time bonding with his father. If Vulcans did that sort of bonding.
The first six-week class was over and it was now time for new one. It was October, though as far as Jim could tell, this new version of Vulcan never changed temperatures much.
A throat cleared.
Jim looked up from where he sat at his desk, going over coursework.
A Young Vulcan male stood there.
“Hi.”
“Greetings, Captain Kirk. I have brought you something.”
Jim smiled. “Your completed assignment?”
“Not as yet.” The Vulcan stepped forward and placed a cellophane wrapped package on his desk.
Jim looked at it. It appeared to be an apple. His gaze rose curiously.
“It is a seasonal treat,” the Vulcan said, smoothly, rather proudly.
“Oh?”
“Indeed. A caramel apple. I have researched Earth and, also, your apparent fondness for fruit of this nature, so armed with this knowledge, I was able to provide a replication of this fruit seasonally dressed out with caramel.”
“Mm. Well. That is very considerate.”
“Then you are pleased?”
Jim smiled. “Yes. Now, please take your seat. I am hopeful you will provide as much enthusiasm to complete the required assignment.”
The Vulcan male nodded and went to his seat.
In his place were three others. Two females and one male. He remembered them from the first six-week course.
“You already completed this course.”
“Indeed,” one of the females conceited. “But…with barely passing grades, if you will recall.”
“I do.”
“We have decided to take it again to improve our scores and perceptions of the topic.”
“Uh. Okay. Sure.” Jim smiled again. “Take your seats.”
As he looked out, he noticed quite a few of the Vulcan from the first six-week course had come back for this one. He didn’t get it.
“Let’s get started.”
Jim stood up and came around his desk. He was pleased to see he seemed to have their undivided attention.
One raised her hand.
“You have a question?”
“Yes, Captain Kirk. Is it true that you are married and share a bond with a Vulcan?”
“That’s your question?”
“Affirmative.”
Jim nodded. “Yes. I am bonded and married to Spock, Ambassador Sarek’s son and my first office on the Enterprise.”
“For how long?”
“How long…I’m sorry what does this have to do with Battle Leadership Tactics?”
“Nothing directly,” she admitted. “Merely a curiosity.”
“Let’s get back on topic.” Jim dropped the stylus he carried as a matter of habit. With a sigh, he bent down to pick it up. He heard a collective creaking of the chairs, and then as he glanced at the students, he realized they were all leaning forward in their seats. He quickly straightened and turned to face them, putting his buttocks against the nearby wall.
No, no. It wasn’t possible they all had checked out his ass, was it? They were Vulcans, after all.
Jim decided to ignore the possibility and just continued teaching the class.
When that course was over and the new six-week one began, Jim was surprised to once again see many of the same Vulcan students.
Once again, he tried, “You’ve already taken the course.”
“Indeed,” said one Vulcan male. “But I learned so much last time, I am certain there is still much to learn from you, Captain.”
That first day, toward the end of the class, Spock and Sarek showed up. They stood to the back of the room to wait for the class to be over.
When it was, many of the students hurried out faster than normal, giving Spock a look as they basically fled the classroom.
Jim smiled as he approached Spock and Sarek.
“Hey, it’s great to see you.”
Spock spotted the package in Jim’s hands. “What is that?”
“Hmm? Oh. Another caramel apple. I swear they won’t stop giving me things. So weird.”
Spock arched a brow. “They are courting you.”
Jim laughed. “Right.”
“My son is correct. They are making attempts to win your favor.”
Jim frowned. “To get a better grade?”
Spock shook his head. “No, they are all…attracted to you, Captain.”
“What? Give me a break.”
“It is true, Jim. Father and I just watched. I had my suspicions but now they are confirmed.”
Jim rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say.” He touched Spock’s fingers with his. “I only have eyes for you.”
“I am gratified.”
“As a matter of fact, Jim,” Sarek said, “I have been asked to inquire if you might extend your stay and give another six-week course. Apparently there are some who would like to attend who could not get a spot.”
“Sorry, no can do. Once this one’s over it’s back to my ship.”
Spock murmured, “And not a moment too soon.”
Jim laughed again. “Come on you two. I’m starved, let’s go pig out on Kreyla or something.”
And Spock and Sarek fell into step behind him, both unbeknownst to Jim, eyeing his bottom as he walked before them.
Originally Posted June 13, 2015. Some people were disappointed that Spock needed nudging by Bones in this story to go to see Jim for shore leave, but in my opinion, Spock’s behavior was in character.
Mylocka provided artwork
Jim signaled to the bartender for another one and tried not to let his disappointment get to him. It was what it was. Just because he’d had other plans didn’t mean he was going to say a word. There’d be other opportunities. Not as good as this one, maybe.
“Jim?”
He forced himself to smile at Bones when his friend sauntered up to him at the bar just outside the transport station on their shore leave planet, Sedonia.
“Hi Bones.”
“Where’s Spock?” Bones asked with a frown.
“Oh.” Jim gestured to where Spock sat in a booth across the room with a group of other Vulcans. “When we got here they were here. Spock got excited to see them.”
“Spock got excited?”
Jim smiled. “Yeah. Well, more than usual, anyway. They’re only here for a couple of days. Staying at the hotel just down the street. They invited Spock to join them.”
“And he accepted?”
“I could see he wanted to, so I told him to go ahead.” Jim sighed.
“But-but the mountain and the cabin.”
Jim’s stomach rolled over. “It wasn’t meant to be.”
Bones knew Jim had planned this time with Spock at this snowy cabin—Sedonia boasted many areas similar to Earth—and Jim had hoped to tell Spock he was in love with him. As far as Jim knew, Spock didn’t suspect his romantic plans. He had just thought Jim invited him because Bones would be busy with Carol. Jim had let Spock believe that.
Jim had spent a lot of time second guessing his plans anyway. He’d told himself that there was an eighty-five percent chance Spock had a thing for him, too. After all, since Spock broke up with Uhura, he and Spock had been spending even more time together. But as the time for shore leave got closer, Jim began to wonder if he had calculated wrong. After all Spock had informed him he would be staying on the ship and not going on shore leave.
Jim had then advised Spock he wanted to invite him to the mountain cabin. Spock had not experienced snow and had informed Jim he was unsure he ever wished to do so. With a little whining, Jim had finally gotten Spock’s agreement. But it had been reluctant. Jim decided he most certainly had calculated wrong about Spock returning his feelings.
And then they’d run into the Vulcans and Spock had suddenly gotten excited about shore leave.
Bone squeezed his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Jim. I know you were looking forward to this.”
“Ah, well. It’s almost time for my transport if I’m going to make it there tonight.”
“You know if you don’t want to do that by yourself, I’m sure Carol won’t mind if you come with us.”
And Jim was just as sure she would mind. But would pretend she didn’t for Bones. Nope, no way.
“Bones, I’m fine. You and Carol go have a good time.”
Bones seemed reluctant, but he said, “Contact me if you change your mind. And check in with me at least once a day.”
“A bit excessive don’t you think?”
“No.” Bones sighed. “See you soon.”
Jim smiled. “Yeah.” After Bones left, he paid for his drinks, and headed out to the transport, where a superfast train would take him up to the mountain resort. He’d spared one last glance at Spock, but his first officer was deep in conversation with the other Vulcans. Obviously not sparing a thought for Jim.
****
By the time Jim arrived at the cabin that would be his for the next four days, he had stopped at a store for provisions, including food, coffee, and some firewood. Some alcohol, too. Something had to keep him warm.
As he was putting his groceries away it had begun to lightly snow. He started a fire after that and settled down into the couch to read one of the books he’d brought with him.
He could have changed his plans and gone with Scotty, Chekov, and Sulu. They had no romantic plans and planned to spend their time in the party town of Sedonia. Which is what Jim would have normally done.
Four days of no one but himself for company didn’t exactly appeal and Jim wondered if he wouldn’t be so bored after the first or second day, he’d just return to the Enterprise.
He eventually put his book down, made himself some dinner, and then after watching the snow fall for a bit, he went to bed…alone. As usual.
****
By the next afternoon, Jim was ready to give up and return to the Enterprise. He’d read, he’d gone for a long walk in the snow, he’d played some computer game on his PADD, he’d checked in with Bones. He was bored and lonely and sad. Not that he wouldn’t be on the Enterprise. Some. But at least he’d be with his lady there.
He looked up the transport trains for the next day, figuring he’d tough it out one more night. There was one leaving at ten the following morning. Jim planned to be on it.
It was just getting dark and Jim had been wondering if he should get up and make dinner. He had little enthusiasm for the idea. He’d already finished half a bottle of vodka. Or what passed for vodka on Sedonia, anyway. He was lying on the couch, staring at the ceiling. It had been snowing heavily most of the afternoon and promised to continue well on into the night. As a kid he had loved the snow. Which was one of the reasons he had hoped to share this with Spock to show him how romantic it could be. What an idiot he was.
He started to half-doze when there was a knock on the door to the cabin. At first he ignored it, thinking he was hearing things. But after three persistent knocks, Jim stumbled up from the couch and to the door.
Spock stood on the other side, his cheeks looking slightly green and storm whipped. His dark hair was dusted with snow. He held a small bag in his hands.
Jim just stared at him. Maybe he was still asleep and he’d conjured him up in his dream.
“I believe I was invited,” Spock said when Jim still continued to stare at him.
“Uh. Yeah.” He stepped away so Spock could come into the cabin. He closed the door and leaned against it. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
Spock’s eyebrow shot up. “Who were you expecting?”
“No one.” Jim frowned. “Weren’t you supposed to be staying with those Vulcans you met?”
“Actually I was supposed to be staying with you. I am gratified you allowed me to visit with them for part of our shore leave.”
Jim shook his head. “Allowed? You don’t answer to me when you’re on shore leave. You can do whatever you want. You could have stayed with them.”
“That would have been unfair to you as I had already agreed to come here.”
He smiled without humor. “Spock, it was all right. You didn’t have to come. Really. I’m planning on returning to the Enterprise tomorrow morning anyway.”
“You are discontinuing your shore leave?”
Jim shrugged. “It wasn’t what I hoped it would be.”
Spock put his bag down on the floor. “You are unhappy.”
“No, I’m fine.”
Spock stepped close. “You are not. I see it in your eyes. You are unhappy with me.”
“That’s not true,” Jim denied.
“I apologize,” Spock said softly.
“For what?”
“Disappointing you for your shore leave.”
“You didn’t.”
“It was not my intention,” Spock continued, despite Jim’s denial.
“You didn’t even want to come. It’s fine, Spock.”
Spock stared at Jim for so long that he would swear Spock was looking through to his soul. “You are mistaken. But obviously I have failed to make you understand.”
Jim frowned. “Understand what?”
“I did wish to come here with you. Not because of the snow or the cold. But because I wanted to spend the time with you.”
“Well, I…wait. You did? You do?”
“Affirmative. I should have explained that I intended to arrive this evening. I did not think you would choose to end your shore leave.”
“I just-being by myself was not what I had in mind,” Jim admitted, swallowing hard. “The truth is, I wanted to tell you—”
“You have romantic feelings for me.”
Jim smiled a little, licked his lips nervously. “Yeah.”
“It was not necessary for you to tell me during our shore leave. The news would have been welcome on the Enterprise.”
“Wait. Welcome?”
Spock shook his head. “Have you not guessed I share those feelings?”
Jim grinned. “Well, I had and then I hadn’t.”
“That is nonsensical.”
“That’s me. Nonsensical.” Jim put his arms around Spock’s neck. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Coming here. Not ruining my shore leave.”
Spock’s lips turned up at the corner just slightly. “So you are not planning on returning to the Enterprise tomorrow?”
Jim shook his head and leaned forward to kiss Spock. “Not if you’ll stay here with me.”
“I will stay,” Spock assured him. He glanced toward the kitchen. “Are you hungry?”
Jim kissed along Spock’s jaw. “Uh-huh.”
“What do you wish for dinner?”
“Later,” Jim whispered in Spock’s ear. “There’s a bedroom.”
Spock shivered. “Indeed.”
“And in that bedroom is a really big bed.”
Spock closed his eyes.
Jim’s tongue flicked the point of Spock’s ear.
“Dinner can wait,” Spock announced. “Captain.”
“Yes, Commander.” Jim pulled out of Spock’s arms and drew him toward the bedroom.
****
Spock opened his eyes to find that it was daylight, at least judging by the white light streaming through the slats of the window blind. He had not intended to spend the entire evening and night in bed with his captain, but it had ended up that way. They’d never had that dinner. Spock couldn’t find it in him to regret that.
Presently, Jim lay on his side, facing toward Spock, eyes closed, lips slightly parted. His blond hair was a bit on end and there were pillow line creases on his face. He was beautiful.
Spock had never expected to be here. While it was true he would never leave Jim’s side as long as either of them had breath, he did not expect to be in his captain’s bed…ever. It had never made logical sense for them to be romantically involved, no matter Spock’s deeply hidden regard. And yet…here they were.
Jim’s eyelids fluttered and then very slowly opened, blue eyes staring in confusion at Spock. Spock waited as the confusion cleared and the sleepy haze from those eyes cleared completely.
“Is it morning?” Jim asked, voice still rough from sleep. For some reason Spock found that quite appealing.
“It is. We missed dinner.”
Jim chuckled, which Spock also found appealing. But he had found Jim’s laugh appealing even before coitus. “Well, hell.”
“You are regretful?” Spock asked with an arched brow.
“Are you crazy?”
“I have had numerous psychological exams which indicate—”
“Spock.” Jim shook his head and smiled. “I don’t regret any of last night. I am hungry though.”
“We shall have to have a hearty breakfast,” Spock agreed.
Jim nodded but his smile faded which caused Spock’s heart rate to speed up.
“What is wrong?”
“Nothing. This is real, right? I’m not dreaming?”
“It is quite real.”
“And this isn’t just a shore leave thing?”
Spock frowned slightly. “A shore leave thing?”
Jim’s fingers touched Spock’s jaw. “Something where when we get back to the ship we pretend it didn’t happen and we go back to the way we were before. Like a vacation fling.”
“Is that what you wish for this to be?”
“No,” Jim whispered. “I want forever.”
“I am sure you are aware that Vulcans do not do shore leave things.”
Jim smiled. “Does that mean you want forever too?”
“I will accept nothing less, Jim.”
“Breakfast?” Jim asked as he kissed Spock.
“Mmm. Later.”
****
“Doctor,” Spock said to McCoy as they both left the transporter room upon their return to the Enterprise.
“Spock.” Dr. McCoy glanced at him. “What’s on your mind?”
Jim had stopped to speak to the transporter chief about something and Dr. Marcus had gone in the opposite direction of Spock and Dr. McCoy.
“I am forced to offer you my gratitude.”
“Oh?” McCoy smirked.
“You were correct in your assessment on Sedonia when you suggested that I join the captain for shore leave rather than continue visiting with the Vulcans that I met there.”
“Didn’t want you to miss the opportunity, Spock. Not sure you would have been given it again. Not with Jim.”
“He is a remarkably stubborn human,” Spock agreed.
“Something you share with him.” McCoy stopped outside sickbay. “Congratulations, Spock. I mean that.”
Spock studied him. “Yes, I can see that you do. Good day, Doctor.”
“See you, Spock.”
Spock returned to the transporter room just as Jim was stepping out. Jim smiled. “Have you been waiting out here?”
“No, I have returned after having a brief meeting.”
“Oh yeah?” They began to walk toward the turbolift. “With who?”
“Dr. McCoy.”
“You had a meeting with Bones?” Jim shook his head as they got onto the turbolift. He set it to go to the bridge.
“Indeed.”
Spock could tell Jim wanted to ask him what the meeting was about but he did not.
The doors opened onto the bridge and Spock went toward his station as Jim went toward his chair.
Jim was surprised how fast the time went since he’d arrived on Vulcan with his mom and Sam.
The original plan had been to stay in ShiKahr to see how well a non-dairy ice cream shop, Tastes Like Real Ice Cream Co., would do there.
His mom was one of the executives of the company and had been charged with making it successful on Vulcan. To pretty much everyone’s surprise it had worked. The Vulcans were…literally…eating it up.
The Kirks had trouble keeping every flavor stocked and usually customers were out the door. It had meant very little free time for Jim and his brother Sam.
From the beginning Sam had announced his intention to leave for Chicago where he was going to meet his fiancé Aurelan on September the first, but after Mom begged and begged, Sam had postponed leaving.
Now they were in October and Sam still hadn’t left. Jim hadn’t made any decisions about joining Starfleet either. The thing was, he wasn’t sure what his Mom was going to do if both of them left. Either of them really. But he knew Sam wanted to. Saw the far off look in his brother’s eyes when he thought no one was looking.
Jim for his part had met someone pretty much right away.
Spock.
They’d gone on a date, well, sort of. Spock was very reserved at dinner and Jim hadn’t known how to act with a Vulcan.
But it was nice, and Jim thought they’d see each other again.
Only at the end of dinner, Spock announced he was leaving in the morning for an extended mountain retreat.
Dumbfounded, Jim had asked, “For how long?”
“Uncertain.”
And that had been that. The whole summer passed with Tastes Like Ice Cream becoming a raving Vulcan success. Only he hadn’t seen Spock again.
And now it was October. Jim felt both disappointed and foolish for having gotten his hopes up.
Exhausted as the three of them were, Mom finally had to hire additional help in the shop, so there was now a young Andorian male working there, and also a Vulcan female.
Jim was on a break, sipping iced coffee, sitting at a table outside the shop, when Sam approached him, looking determined.
“I’ve had it,” Sam said, flinging himself into a chair.
“Had what?”
Sam rolled his eyes. “You know what. It’s already a month past the time I said I’d blow this rock. Mom’s so successful there’s no way she’s leaving anytime soon.”
“You think?”
His brother smirked. “I just overheard her, brother mine. She’s actually looking into buying a house here.”
“She…is?”
“Yep. And that’s fine for her if she wants to live on a melting rock, but I have plans with Aurelan. I told her today, end of week, I’m on the shuttle back to Earth.”
Jim bit his lip. “What she say?”
“I should do what will make me happy. And you know what? You should too. You wanted to join Starfleet. I know you said you hadn’t made up your mind, but I think you did and you’re just staying to help Mom.”
Jim scowled. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. Except that you’re living someone else’s life, not your own. Just because she wants to stay here, doesn’t mean you do or should. Don’t let helping Mom keep you from your dream. And anyway, I don’t think she would want that either.”
“Easy for you to say. Dad died because of Starfleet.”
Sam sighed. “Dad died because of who he was, Jim. And he knew the risks. And so did Mom.” He patted Jim’s leg. “Just think about it. You could be on that shuttle with me back to Earth. Mom can hire others to take up the slack. There are plenty of people on Vulcan willing to work here.”
Jim opened his mouth to reply when he spotted a familiar face, well attached to a whole body of course, coming toward them. It was the Vulcan, Spock.
Sam followed Jim’s gaze, frowned, and then shook his head. He rose from his seat, squeezed Jim’s shoulder, and then moved off.
“Jim.”
“Hello. Long time no see.”
“Indeed.” Spock gestured to the seat that Sam recently occupied. “May I?”
Jim nodded.
“I apologize for my lengthy absence.”
“You don’t really owe me anything.”
Spock inclined his head. “Perhaps not. And yet when I told you I would be on a retreat, I had not anticipated the length.”
“And did it do for you what you wanted?”
“Affirmative. I have been considering Kolinahr.”
Jim frowned. “What’s that?”
“The purging of emotions. It is a lengthy process.”
“Uh. Okay. Why would you want to do that?”
“Vulcans value logic over primitive emotions. It is considered the ultimate logic and highest standard to undergo Kolinahr.”
Sounded awful to Jim.
“You said you were thinking of it, what have you decided?”
“To do so.”
Jim blew out a long breath. “I see. Well. Thanks for letting me know. I wish you well, Spock.”
He stood then.
“Gotta get back to work.” Jim glanced around, saw no one paying attention, and leaned down, placing his lips on Spock’s in what he hoped was a searing kiss. He pulled back and straightened. Smiled at the dazed look on Spock’s face. “That’s what emotions do, by the way. See you.”
I know it’s Spirk day and I should write something absolutely epic but I just don’t have it in me to do so right now. I’m pretty drained. I’m sorry.
“Spock’s going to be fine, Jim.”
“Define fine.”
Bones rolled his eyes. “He’s going to recover. He’s asking for you.”
That surprised Jim a bit. Well. Spock got injured saving Jim, again, but…maybe Spock planned to chew Jim out. Sure.
He started toward the medbay area where Spock was being treated. Bones put his hand on Jim’s shoulder.
“Uhura’s in there right now. Give it a few minutes.”
“Oh.” Jim nodded. He was aware that Spock and Uhura had broken up, but he was also aware that they were trying to reconcile. Or Jim thought they were. Probably Spock being injured would push them toward it.
He thought about leaving altogether, but Spock was his friend and first officer, and he got severely injured saving Jim, so he stuck around, having a cup of coffee with Bones.
Eventually, he spotted Uhura leaving. She was wiping at her face, and Jim wasn’t sure what that meant. Probably just upset Spock got hurt saving their captain. Whatever.
He said goodbye to Bones and went over to Spock’s biobed.
Spock had his eyes closed and Jim was about to turn around and leave after all.
“Jim,” Spock whispered.
He turned and saw Spock watching him, dark eyes as mysterious as ever.
“You are well?”
Jim huffed a laugh as he moved closer. “Me? I’m great. Nothing wrong with me. Thanks to you. And yeah, thank you. You shouldn’t have—”
“I had to.”
Jim smiled crookedly, waiting for Spock to speak of his duty as first officer to watch out for the captain’s life, as per usual.
But when Spock didn’t, Jim prompted, “Your duty to protect the captain, right?”
Spock shook his head. “My duty is important, yes, but that is not why I stepped in to save your life.” Spock paused. “This time and all the others, as well. Despite what I said.”
Jim frowned. “Then…wait. I don’t understand.”
Spock held out his hand toward Jim and Jim took it. “Jim. It is because…”
He smiled then. Understanding. “Because I am your friend.”
The words from when Jim died, for the reason Jim saved Spock from the volcano, echoed in his memories.
Once again, Spock indicated the negative.
“What then?”
“You always shall be my friend. But because I want you to be more than my friend.”
Jim’s eyes widened as it dawned on him what Spock meant.
“Uhura—”
“We are not together and will not be. I am in love with someone else.” Spock squeezed Jim’s hand that he held. “This simple feeling between us was beyond my comprehension before. It is…everything now.”
“Spock.” He leaned down then and captured Spock’s lips for the first in what he hoped would be a life time of kisses.
I didn’t think about writing anything for “Star Trek Day” September 8th until the night before so forgive me for this extremely rough short flash.
Spock hears the approach of Doctor McCoy, but he does not turn around. He suspects the doctor had been sent ahead to tell him the news about Spock’s husband. There is still so little they know to presume that he would not know. The instant he had been torn from the Enterprise Spock knew.
“Spock.”
McCoy’s voice is rough, hoarse, torn asunder with grief. Spock manages not to wince.
Spock’s silence encourages the doctor to continue though that was not Spock’s intention.
“Jim…”
Spock closes his eyes from the sight of the city lights outside their…his…apartment window. He straightens though he does not turn around.
“I know, Leonard.”
“Spock, Jim…”
“I know,” Spock says again.
“How? Who told you?” There are tears in McCoy’s voice. It sounds thick and unsteady.
“No one.”
“Then…”
He wants to sigh, but knows it is inappropriate under the circumstances. “The bond severed upon his–demise.”
Silence greets his words and though Spock still does not turn around it seems like an uneasy, stunned silence. Perhaps he imagines it. He is aware that McCoy does not fully understand the connection he has–had–with Jim.
“I’m sorry.”
So is Spock but he cannot make the words form let alone have them fall from his lips. He manages not to show that he is shaking. Or at least he believes he does.
“What do you need?”
“To be alone.”
McCoy is quiet though Spock knows he has not left. Then there is a hand placed on his shoulder and Spock cannot stop the flinch. Doesn’t try.
“I’ll leave you be then.” A long pause. “For now.”
He hears the apartment door open and close and then the fading of McCoy’s footsteps as he walks away to leave Spock alone.
Spock clenches his fists and curses Jim for dying.
Here is my last “Summer” themed August flash. This is an alternate beginning to Star Trek 2009
“So…summer’s just about over.”
Spock eyed the blue-eyed blond haired man he’d spent most of the Earth’s summer months with. Tomorrow, Spock would be returning to San Francisco and his teaching position at Starfleet Academy.
James Kirk.
Just that day they’d lounged in bed at Jim’s farmhouse.
“Yes. Unfortunately, I must depart in the morning.”
“Yeah.” Jim licked his lips. “I know.”
Now Jim wanted to go to this “dive bar” as he called it. Spock recognized several Starfleet Academy recruits. A subject Jim had not wished to discuss with Spock. Something about his father and his mother.
Still it meant he might not see Jim again. Going to a bar their last night together was not his idea of a good time.
He put his hand on Jim’s arm. “I see Captain Pike. I would like to have a word with him. I will be in shortly.”
“Okay, gotcha. Want me to order you something?”
“Tea if they have it.”
Jim smiled and nodded and went inside.
****
Spock was just finishing up speaking with Captain Pike when someone came out from the bar. It was very loud inside.
“There’s a fight going on,” the man said.
Pike frowned. “A fight? What sort of fight?”
“A bunch of Starfleet dudes are beating the crap out of a guy in civilian clothes. I don’t know. He was being friendly to a woman and they went berserk. You may want to go in there if they’re with you. They’re giving that guy a pretty bad time.”
Spock knew Jim was somehow involved.
Pike and Spock rushed inside and sure enough the big brut called Hendorff was pummeling Jim in the face.
Pike whistled loudly and the fight abruptly stopped.
Spock moved forward and pushed Hendorff aside as he let Jim fall onto the pool table.
Pike moved toward Jim. “You all right, son?”
“You can whistle really loud,” Jim said, sounding pretty out of it.
Spock glared at Hendorff and the others. “You will be on report. This is not conduct becoming to a Starfleet cadet. Wait outside.”
They all rushed out.
Spock met the uncertain gaze of Nyota Uhura, who he knew from his recruitment of cadets. Spock helped Jim to straighten from the pool table.
“Do you need medical attention, Jim?”
Blood was pouring from Jim’s nose.
“No. No. I’m all right.”
“Actually, I’ll take care of Jim here, Spock. I’d like to have a few words with him,” Pike said, taking over holding Jim up. “Why don’t you take care of those recruits outside?”
Spock nodded. “Very well.” He squeezed Jim’s arm very gently. “I will be right outside.”
Jim smiled a little, though it was ghastly with the blood. “Okay. I’ll be okay.”
Spock turned to Uhura. ”Nyota, please come with me.”
She followed him outside the bar.
Uhura fidgeted. “That guy…you know him?”
“Yes. We have been engaged in a relationship since our arrival in Riverside.”
She blinked. “Oh.”
“I accompanied him to the bar but was delayed in entry. Will you explain what started the melee?”
“Well. Um. He approached me at the bar and offered to buy me a drink. I guess I thought he was hitting on me or whatever but maybe he was just being friendly. Anyway, those guys thought he was bothering me and even though I told them I could handle your friend, they got all macho and started a fight.”
“I see.”
“Your, uh, your friend kind of encouraged it a little by being sarcastic to them, but they were mostly at fault. I tried to get them to stop but then…”
“Then?” Spock prompted.
“One of them threw Kirk into me and he grasped my body, my breasts, and I got mad and threw him right back into them where they got even more crazy and started beating him.” She winced. “I’m sorry, Spock. I didn’t know he was your boyfriend or anything.”
“I suggest you leave here and be prepared to be on the shuttle to San Francisco first thing in the morning.”
“Will I be on report?”
“No. Though none of the circumstances were ideal, you do not appear to have taken part in the assault of the civilian, James Kirk. I trust you will conform yourself appropriately from now forward.”
“Yes. Yes. I will. Thank you, Spock. And I’m sorry about Kirk.” She hurried off and Spock turned his attention to the offenders.
****
Spock joined Jim in bed much later that night. “You are sure you are all right, Jim?”
“Yeah. Just a bit bruised. Nose hurts. But nothing broken.”
“I am sorry I wasn’t in there to stop it.”
Jim laughed. “It’s okay, Spock. They were looking for a fight. I was just stupid enough to egg them on.”
“What did Captain Pike have to say?” Spock said, as he leaned in to kiss the corner of Jim’s mouth.
“He wants me to enlist in Starfleet.”
Spock drew back, surprised. “And will you?”
Jim’s eyes were sparkling as he smiled. “What do you think?”
Jim opened his mouth to answer McCoy, but Spock beat him to it.
“We were out by the ocean of this planet—”
“Spock.”
Spock touched Jim’s hand. “And Jim decided he wished to surf.”
McCoy held up his hands. “Say no more. He biffed, right? Where’d you hit your head, Jim?”
“I…”
“He did not hit his head. He became overcome.”
Jim closed his mouth and gave Spock a look.
“Overcome?” McCoy frowned, holding up his tricorder.
“Faint. Heart racing at a rapid pace. Broke out into a sweat. Turned very pale.”
“Hmm. Jim, what did it feel like?”
“It was very hot out,” Spock replied. “He stated he felt nauseated and had a headache.”
“Is that right, Jim?”
Jim opened his mouth.
“His vitals are a bit off,” McCoy said. “When was the last time you ate something, Jim?”
“Not since last night at dinner. And then it was just a small salad.”
McCoy looked at Spock. “Unable to speak is he?”
“I can speak,” Jim said.
“Chest pain?”
“No. Just the heart racing.”
McCoy shoved a hypo into Jim’s neck. “You’re starting to return to normal. Probably a combination of things.”
“Such as?” Spock asked.
“Heat exhaustion, low blood sugar from lack of food, and a panic attack.”
“Uh.”
McCoy shook his head. “Go back to your hotel and rest. REST. And eat. And stay cool. And eat.” McCoy pointed at Spock. “You make sure. And calm down, Jim.”
“I can leave?”
“Yes.”
Spock helped Jim off the table and then escorted him out of the room and outside where they were having shore leave. Their hotel was only a short distance away from where McCoy had set up to examine Jim.
“What were you panicked about, ashayam?”
“Um. Well. I guess maybe it has been a while since I tried surfing and the waves were more than I anticipated.”
Spock could see that his mate was embarrassed. “Jim, you do not have to show off for me.”
“I know.”
“I hope that you do. For the rest of today, you will sit in our room and I will pamper you, feed you, and make sure you do not overdo anything.”
“I don’t need…you know what? Yes.” Jim sagged against Spock. “I’d love that. I need that. And God, thank you, for your love.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 