Probably the end of these flashes for this month. I’ll pick it up again in November. Reminder, I do have an unrelated Halloween flash for Thursday.
Bones looked at Jim after he spoke to Spock. “What are you going to tell him when he sees this?” He gestured to Jim’s black eye and cut him.
Jim held the werewolf mask in his hand.
“The truth.”
“That’ll be refreshing,” Bones cracked as they left the party. He had dressed as the mummy to kind of match Jim in his old Hollywood type monster costumes. “How are those ribs I bandaged?”
“Painful but manageable.”
“Maybe we should go by the hospital.”
“Nah, they aren’t broken. Just bruised.”
“Think he’ll be mad?”
Jim shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not like I was looking for it. If that guy hadn’t opened his big mouth—”
“I know. He’s a douchebag. I think you still should have let me stick him with a hypo.”
Jim laughed. “We both know you’re way too ethical for that.”
“I could have given him a good case of the shi—”
“Bones.” He laughed again. “Not that I don’t appreciate it. But no. And here we are at the dorm, so good night.”
“All right but let me know when you get to Spock’s.”
“I will. Like five minutes. I promise.”
“Okay. That was a sucky party anyone. Worse beer I ever had.”
“Same, Bones. Same. Talk soon.”
He waved at Bones and headed to Spock’s, ready to face the Vulcan’s million questions, he was sure.
“What’s on your mind Spock?” Nyota asked him as she sipped her soda across from him while they met for dinner. “You seem particularly lost in thought.”
“I believe it is possible I made an error in judgement.”
She looked surprised. “You? How?”
“Tonight was a Halloween Costume Party and Jim is attending with his friend Leonard McCoy. I did not wish to go.”
She nodded. “Was he upset?”
“Not at all. It was his suggestion from the beginning that I would not need to attend. But now I am questioning whether I made the correct choice.”
Nyota shrugged. “I admire him for giving you that out. That was good. He recognized that it wasn’t what you would enjoy doing and told you it was all right not to attend.”
“Indeed,” Spock agreed. “But in relationships is it not normal to often have to participate in something you prefer not to do in order to support or spend time with the other?”
“Oh certainly. But it sounds like Jim didn’t mind.”
“What would you have done?”
She remained silent for a few seconds, then sighed. “We are not the same person, Spock. And Vulcans are different from Humans.”
“You would have gone.”
“I would have. But that doesn’t mean you should have. Like I said, I give him props for recognizing it was something you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing. He went with a friend. I don’t think you did anything wrong and neither should you. If you want, you can contact him and offer to see him after the party is over. But, honestly, Spock, you’re fine.”
Spock decided after dinner to contact Jim to see him after as Nyota had suggested. He found himself quite relieved when Jim picked up his communication device nearly right away.
“Hey Spock!”
Spock could hear a lot of noise in the background.
“You are having a good time?”
“Hm? Well. It’s okay. What’s up?”
“I was wondering, if after the party, you would wish to see me. Perhaps come to my apartment? However, if you are too tired or having too good of a time—”
“No, that sounds good actually,” Jim said quickly. “I think Bones and I are ready to get out of here anyway. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you soon.”
They were leaving the hall where they’d just had another chess match, Jim won again, but admittedly he used certain methods to distract Spock, when Jim saw the sign outside.
He stopped to read all about a Halloween Party the club planned to host.
“You are not interested in such frivolities, are you?” Spock asked, sounding somewhat, amusedly so, alarmed.
Jim laughed. “You bet I am.” He eyed Spock. “Not you though huh?”
“I have no particular desire to pretend to be something I am not.” Spock paused. “But you enjoy that experience?”
“Yep. I love a fantasy life. Life’s far too short not to have fun with it. I’m going.” Jim shook his head. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to come.”
“No?”
“Look, I’m not the clingy type who has to drag his boyfriend along everywhere he goes.” Jim paused as he considered his words. He turned a little red. “You know, if-if that’s an appropriate word to use.”
“Boyfriend?”
“Yeah. I mean so far we haven’t really labeled it. Us. So.” He shrugged.
“I think it is an appropriate designation.”
Jim smiled. “Okay then. So anyway, I’ll get Bones to go with me. That way you won’t feel obligated.”
“If you are sure.”
“Very. Bones will love it.”
They began walking again, leaving the sign behind.
Spock glanced his way. “What will you dress up as?”
“Hmm. A Harem girl?” He laughed at Spock’s expression. “Kdding. A Werewolf, I think.”
“A fictional monster vulnerable to a silver bullet.”
“That’s the one. I’ll try to avoid any of those.”
Spock nodded. “If that is the sort of event you look forward to, then I am happy you are able to attend.”
Jim laughed again. “Uh-huh. That’s a sort of weird, backhanded attempt at being supportive.”
“Jim—”
“Hey, I’m joking. Not everything has to be so serious, Spock.”
Spock pursed his lips, but he nodded. “Do try to stay out of trouble.”
“I’m an exemplary citizen. I never get into trouble.”
Spock arched a brow, but provided no further comment.
Thanks again for all your thoughts. Looks like I’m sticking around after all
Tried to find a still of Ryder/Cross as Spock’s parents but the only one I could find was the having baby Spock scene though I know there was a cut scene where they argued. Sigh. . It’s amazing what opportunities JJ missed with this but of course that’s what you get for having someone unfamiliar with the franchise/fandom making your movies. Anyway, here’s her by herself because of it
Spock was mildly surprised not to find his parents in his apartment anyway as he walked out to the living room area after dressing. Had it been only his father, he could see Sarek barging in. Only his mother seemed to be able to rein him in.
He went to the door and opened it to reveal his calm looking parents.
“Good Morning.”
Mother smiled warmly. “Hello Spock. May we come in?”
He stepped aside to allow them entrance.
“I do apologize for not contacting you prior to coming over. It was quite thoughtless of us.”
Sarek sniffed. “It does not seem unusual to be in the area and wish to have breakfast with our son.”
“Of course not, dear. But we should have contacted Spock on the way.”
“Apology accepted,” Spock replied. “Tea, Mother?”
“Yes, thank you. Sarek, dear, put the breakfast packages there in the kitchen. We’ll reheat the food when Jim comes out.”
“It is fortunate your mother selected so much food,” Sarek murmured.
Spock ignored his father and went into the kitchen after him to begin preparing coffee for Jim and tea for his mother and father.
“It would seem that your acquaintance with James Kirk has progressed quite a bit,” Sarel said then.
“Sarek!”
“I say this as an observation,” her husband insisted. “Not as a judgment.”
Spock merely shrugged though he was not certain he could deny that his father’s words were true.
Only a moment later, Jim appeared, fully dressed, hair damp from the shower.
“Good morning,” Jim called. “Sorry about the door in the face thing.”
Mother shook her head. “You owe us no apology, Jim. I am sure you didn’t expect to find us pounding on Spock’s door this morning.”
“Hardly pounding,” Sarek muttered.
She shot him a look. “But at least we brought breakfast to, perhaps, make up for our faux pas. And I believe Spock has your coffee ready.”
“I do.” Spock handed Jim the cup of coffee made just the way he’d learned Jim liked it.
Jim smiled. “Thanks.”
“Wonderful,” Mother said, her eyes twinkling. “Now Sarek will heat the breakfast and we’ll all sit down to eat.”
Sarek opened his mouth, Spock was sure to protest. But one look from his wide and he said, “Yes, Amanda.”
She took Jim’s arm. “You’ll sit by me, Jim. We Humans must stick together, don’t you think?”
Jim laughed. He seemed to relax for which Spock was grateful. He suspected he should send his mother a big box of her favorite chocolates.
“Yes, I think so, ma’am.”
“Amanda, dear.”
“Amanda.”
She drew Jim to Spock’s dining room table and they sat down, beginning to converse like old friends.
Jim woke to the sound of knocking. He stared up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to get his bearings. Distantly he heard the shower running and realized Spock had risen and went to shower.
He blinked, about to doze off again thinking he must have been dreaming. Then he heard the knocking again.
With a frown, Jim sat up, swung his legs out of bed and stood.
“Hey Spock? I think there’s someone at the door.”
But Spock didn’t respond.
Jim looked around for his clothes but couldn’t immediately find them, so he picked up a discarded bathrobe of Spock’s and left the bedroom to go to the door.
He had just finished tying it around his waist when he opened the apartment door.
Standing there looking as shell-shocked as him were Spock’s parents.
“Uh.” Jim shut the door in their faces. “Shit, shit, shit.”
He hurried back to the bedroom and over to the bathroom door. Fortunately it was unlocked and he burst through it.
“Spock! Spock!”
“Jim?” The shower curtain moved and Spock’s head appeared. “What is wrong?”
“Gad, your-your parents are here.”
“They are here?” Spock turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, reaching for a towel.
“Yes. And, uh.” Jim ran his hand through his hair. “I think, I mean, I just…”
“Jim, calm down. I am certain they are all right. My mother is likely making tea in the kitchen as we speak. Tell them I will be right out.”
“I sort of closed the door in their faces.”
“You…”
“I know. I panicked. I’m not dressed. My hair is messed and—”
Spock gazed at him. “And you have what I believe you would call hickeys just below your neck on your chest.”
“Shit.”
“I suggest you get in the shower,” Spock told him. “I will dress quickly and let them in.”
“Are you sure?”
Spock nodded and gently pushed him toward the shower. “I will make you coffee.”
When Spock opened the door to Jim’s knock it was to see that the cadet carried two big paper bags. To his surprise, though also pleasure, Jim greeted him with a smile and a kiss.
“What have you got?” Spock asked, closing the door.
“Since I was running a little late, I stopped by that bakery on the corner. They make the best toasted cheese bread. Plus I got some pastries. And some Vulcan specialties for you. Thought maybe we could have them for dinner or whatever.”
Spock nodded. “That sounds good. I must admit I missed you staying over last night.”
“Yeah? I missed it too. How’d your field trip go?”
“It was informative.” Spock was not sure how to go about asking what he wanted to ask of Jim. He had no real experience with formal serious relationships and as a Vulcan he struggled with being logical while also expressing his needs.
But as it happened, Jim gave him an opening by saying, “What?”
“I would like to request you stay with me tonight if that is possible and acceptable.”
Jim smiled and jiggled one of the paper bags. “One bag is the bakery stuff and this is my stuff. A change of clothes and pajamas.”
Spock’s lips twitched. “You might not need the pajamas.”
Jim laughed outright. “Yeah, probably not. But if the apartment catches fire in the middle of the night and we have to evacuate, I’m going to want them.”
“Quite true, though hopefully that will not be the case.”
“Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Does your friend Uhura not like me?”
Spock blinked. “She has never said so. Why?”
“Just…we met before in Riverside. Before I enlisted.”
“She did mention that. Something about a bar brawl.”
“Mm. Three against one I might add. But never mind that. She hasn’t said anything bad?”
“She has not attempted to ‘warn me away’ if that is what you mean. No.”
“Today when you came by to talk in the cafeteria she didn’t come over and Bones wondered.”
“Doctor McCoy?”
“Yeah.”
Spock nodded. “We were on our way out of the cafeteria when I noticed you, so I told her I wanted a moment with you and she merely chose to wait by the door. It was nothing personally against you, Jim, I assure you.”
Jim smiled again. “I didn’t think so, but thought I’d ask.”
“And even if she had, while I value her opinion in most matters, I have already made up my own mind regarding you.”
“Yeah?” Jim raised both eyebrows. “And what have you decided?”
“Given I asked you to stay, I am certain you can logically deduce my meaning.”
And he laughed again. Spock liked his laugh a lot.
“I’m guessing since I accepted, you know what I have decided about you.”
“Indeed.”
“Can we eat now? I’m starving.”
And though Spock did not laugh a lot, that did make him just a little.
Jim smiled at Bones as he entered their dorm later that day. “Hey, Bones. Uh. Sorry I didn’t remember to let you know I wasn’t coming home last night until this morning.”
“Uh-huh. I kinda figured you wouldn’t. And I think I’ve figured this whole thing out.”
Jim scooted past him into the kitchenette. He reached into the fridge and took out a bottle of beer. He twisted off the lid and took a sip.
“Enlighten me.”
Bones joined him in the kitchenette and leaned against the counter opposite Jim. “I decided to take a look at who was signed up for chess matches yesterday for the club.”
Jim chuckled. “Did you? Thought you weren’t interested in chess.”
Bones snorted. “I’m not. But I am nosey.”
“That you are.”
“You weren’t on the list of players. And by the way, TooSexy?”
“Seemed appropriate.”
“Gimme a break. You definitely think too much of yourself, my friend.”
Jim chugged some more beer. “What’s your conclusion?”
His fried looked smug. “You haven’t been playing chess. You’re seeing some girl. For some reason you don’t think I’d approve of her which is why the subterfuge.”
“I have to hand it to you, Bones. You’ve really been thinking about this.”
“Of course I have. Is it someone I know? Someone I’m interested in?”
There was a knock on their door and Jim set his bottle down on the counter.
“Hold that thought.”
Jim went to the door and opened it, smiling brightly at Spock.
“Hey, sorry. I haven’t changed out of my uniform yet. I was distracted by Bones.”
Spock stepped inside the dorm and gazed blankly at Bones, who now stared at him with his mouth agape.
Jim turned. “Bones, this is ChessMaster. And you’re half right. I am seeing Spock. We’re about to go to dinner.”
“You are welcome to join us, Doctor,” Spock offered.
“I’d rather choke on a—”
“Bones!” Jim laughed.
“No, thanks.”
Spock nodded.
“Give me just a sec. I won’t be long. Don’t kill each other while I’m changing.”
“Why would I kill the doctor?”
Bones mumbled, “I have somewhere to be.”
And Jim watched as his friend made his way to the door. “We will talk later, Jim.”
Jim waved and then laughed when Bones glared before leaving.
“That went well.”
“The doctor was unaware you and I are seeing each other.”
“Mm. He thought you were a girl.”
Spock arched a brow.
“Never mind that. Now that he’s gone, you can help me remove my uniform.”
“You need assistance?”
Jim winked. “Especially with the zipper on these pants.”
“The zipper? Oh.” Spock blushed slightly. Cleared his throat. “I am sure I am up to the task of assisting you.”
“I’m sure too.” Jim drew Spock close and kissed him. “We don’t have a reservation for dinner, do we?”
Jim woke slowly, cocooned in warmth, held close, bare skin to bare skin. It took only a moment for his brain to catch up. Yes, he was in Spock’s bed where he had spent a very good night.
Spock stirred too and suddenly dark eyes gazed upon him.
“Good morning,” Jim spoke first. For light streamed gently through the blind on the window.
“Good morning.” Spock’s voice was deep and rough and it sent another thrill through Jim that he was well aware they had no time to indulge.
But it brough back memories of the night before and the passion they’d shared over and over.
“You are smiling.”
“Remembering last night.”
“Then I share that smile, inwardly anyway. We will be late if we don’t rise soon.”
Jim yawned. “I suppose. I’m inclined to miss my first class and just lie in.”
Spock’s lips curved. “As an instructor at the Academy I must advise you against that.” He paused. “However, as…”
When he hesitated, Jim supplied, “Lover.”
A faint color appeared on Spock’s cheeks, but he said, “As your lover I can think of no objection to having you continue to lie here in my bed at your leisure.”
“That sounds like approval to me.” Jim grinned.
Spock shook his head and made to rise. “I, however, am conducting an exam in my first class.”
“Mm. My roommate is in that class.”
“What is your roommates name?”
“Bones. Leonard McCoy.”
“Yes, I know him.”
Jim chuckled. “I bet. He’s a complainer. I love him, of course. But he does love to bitch. And he hates that class.”
“You do not appear to be influenced by his opinion.”
As Spock stood, Jim turned on to his back and linked his arms behind his head on the pillow.
“Nah, I know he’s a grump. Besides you have mad chess skills.”
“Ah, so you appreciate me for my skills at chess.”
“That and your fantastic body and delicious lips.”
Spock arched a brow. “I really must get ready.”
“Speaking of, we don’t have to set up a chess match just to see each other now, do we?”
“No.”
Jim smiled. “Great. But maybe you’d better kiss me before you go into the bathroom in case I get lonely.”
“You are illogical,” Spock pronounced, but he leaned down to do so anyway. It was quick though.
“That’s it?”
“Neither of has yet brushed our teeth. As desirable as you are…”
Jim laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. Go get ready, Professor.”
And as Spock made his way into the bathroom, Jim dozed with a smile on his face.
Jim went home to shower since what he needed for his classes was there anyway and as he was came out of the bathroom with only a tower around his waist, Bones waited for him and thrust a steaming hot cup of coffee into his hand.
“Thank God. Just the way I like it.”
“Mm. Hot enough to burn your insides. Which is terrible for you, of course.”
Jim smiled. “Of course.”
“Where have you been? Not that it’s any of my business, yada yada.”
“Where I said I was. It was kind of late when we finished playing chess and I didn’t feel like walking by myself back to campus in the cold windy dark. Getting close to October you know. Who knows what ghoulies might be out there.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And I slept on the couch.”
“So what are your plans today?”
“Classes all day,” Jim told him, taking a sip of coffee.
“Dinner?”
“Er. I have another chess match when classes are over.”
Bones nodded, seeming unfazed. “Signed up for a lot of those, did you?”
“Well, you know. The more you win, the more others want to compete against you.”
“I wouldn’t know. Chess bores the crap outta me. Who are you playing today?”
Now here’s where Jim had to be careful. He didn’t think admitting he was going to be playing with ChessMaster again was a wise thing to do. Bones would definitely be wondering what was up. And sticking his big nose into things. But he didn’t want to exactly lie to Bones either.
“I’ll have to look on the board later,” Jim hedged.
“Going to spend the night with this one too?”
He laughed. “Well, I mean you never know. I’ll let you know if I’ll be out all night. Have a good day, Bones.”
“I’ve got ten tests. How can I have a good day?” Bones grumbled as he left.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 