I’m off for another adventure and won’t return until Sunday afternoon, so have some Vanik and Jim. One of my favorite combinations!
Jim felt weak, sweaty, and like he was probably going to barf again. He struggled to lift his head when he hear the sound of someone approaching his bed. Not an easy task because his head felt like it weighed eighty pounds.
“I have come to check on you again as promised.”
He eyed Vanik out of blood-shot eyeballs. “Did you check on me only ten minutes ago?”
“Negative. It was thirty minutes ago. I promised Uncle Spock that while he was away I would keep a very steady eye on you.”
“Yeah, okay, but how am I supposed to rest if you keep coming in to check on me every ten minutes?”
“Thirty.”
“Still.”
“Uncle Spock was called away and gave me task until he could return. He was given the task by your own friend, Leonard McCoy, the doctor.”
“I know, I know.”
“Doctor McCoy was required in Georgia for a family emergency. Neither the doctor nor Uncle Spock thought you should be left alone for long periods of time.”
“I have the flu not a fatal illness.”
“During the year of nineteen hundred eighteen on planet, Earth, it is estimated anywhere from seventeen million to fifty million died from influenza.” Vanik paused. “It is time to take your temperature. I have brought the one to scan your forehead.”
Jim sighed, sunk his head back down on the pillow and gave into the inevitable.
“Your fever had reduced a degree but is still alarming. I will check again thirty minutes from now. Do you require tea?”
“I’ll just barf it back up. When does Spock return?”
“His last message estimated nine o’clock this evening.”
“What time is it?”
“Two in the afternoon.”
Jim sighed again. “Okay see you again in thirty minutes.”
Jim glared at the star on top the Christmas tree and then stood back to inspect it, hands on hips.
“No, it isn’t.”
Vanik sighed. “Yes. It is.”
Now he glared at the boy, but he moved to stand next to him so he could see what Vanik saw.
He screwed up his mouth as he looked at the tree topper from this way and that. “Nope, not crooked.”
“I believe we should get a third opinion.”
“Fine. Spock!”
Spock who had been sitting on the couch working silently on his PADD and doing his best to ignore Jim and Vanik as they decorated the freshly cut tree they’d carried into the apartment a short time ago.
“Hmm?”
“Come see if the star is crooked on the top of the tree.”
Spock gave a resigned and put upon sigh, put down his PADD and rose from the couch.
“I advised that I did not desire to be part of this unnecessary merriment.”
Jim looked at him and then lowered his voice, “And I advise you if you ever want to get lucky again, you’ll give your opinion.”
Spock cleared his throat. “Let me observe the tree.”
Vanik, arms folded across his chest, stared Spock down. “I am quite certain it is crooked.”
“Go and get a snowball cookie,” Jim told him.
Vanik shrugged, always willing to have a sweet, and left to fetch one in the kitchen.
Spock angled his head as he studied the tree, then he glanced sideways at Jim.
Jim frowned, already knowing what Spock was going to say. “It’s crooked, isn’t it?”
“A very small amount.”
“Aha!” Vanik crowed from the kitchen.
Spock stepped toward the tree, adjusted the star and stood back with Jim. “There, that is better.”
“Vanik, is it?”
The Vulcan boy came back to the tree. “Yes, that is better.”
Jim sighed inwardly. Two Vulcans to one Human. “Okay, thanks, Spock. You can go back to your oh so important task.”
Spock looked as though he was considering things. Then with a shrug, he said, “I suppose I could help decorate the tree for a time.”
Jim smiled. “Yeah?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Can we get a pizza?” Vanik asked, picking up a box of decorations.
“No!”
“Aweee. Fine.” Jim smiled and touched Spock’s fingers with his own, then winked.
Vanik knew his two uncles, Spock and Jim, were not having a costume party, per se, but he didn’t get a chance to dress up in a getup, well, every, so he dressed in a medieval knight costume, made of fabric rather than steel, of course, and headed over to their apartment in eager anticipation.
He was momentarily nonplussed when the door did not open as soon as he knocked. They had been expecting him.
Vanik knocked again.
This time it opened after a short hesitation and his uncle, Spock, stood there. He did not look happy to see Vanik. He never did, of course as no Vulcan wanted to look happy, but this was a…specific unhappiness.
“Vanik, I think we have to cancel tonight.”
Vanik stepped inside the apartment, filled with dread. He recalled the winter season when his uncle had made a mess of everything with Jim and Jim had gone to Riverside. Vanik had to go after him to fix things. He certainly hoped Spock hadn’t sent Jim packing again.
Then he saw Jim.
Jim was pacing back and forth, looked very upset, and had a red face as though he’d been crying.
“What is wrong? What happened?” Vanik asked.
“Vanik.” Jim stopped. Shook his head. “I’m sorry, buddy, but I can’t do this. Not tonight.”
And then to Vanik’s astonishment Jim left both him and Spock standing there in the living room, departing for the bedroom he shared with Spock.
Vanik turned to Spock with a questioning look. “What have you done?”
“I have not done anything. I am not responsible.” Spock eyed him. “What are you supposed to be?”
“A knight. What has him upset if not you?”
“Vanik, this is adult stuff and—”
“Please do not dismiss me as though I am incapable of understanding adult upsets. If our plans are canceled I would like to know why.”
Spock was quiet for a moment, then nodded. “Jim’s brother was here in San Francisco and failed to let Jim know. When Jim asked him about it he told Jim he had no desire to reconnect with any of his family members, Jim included.”
“That is terrible.”
“Yes. Jim says he doesn’t really have a family and he’s been upset since.”
Vanik crossed his arms over his chest. “And you told him that was wrong, right?”
“What?”
He sighed. “We are his family. It sucks that his brother is too stupid to want Jim in his life, but that does not mean Jim has no family. He has us. We are his family. Plus, I believe Jim still has his mother, wherever she is. But regardless, he definitely has us.”
“True.”
Vanik nodded. “You go in and tell him he has all the family he needs.”
“Vanik—”
Vanik stared Spock down, but to his satisfaction Spock finally went to the bedroom.
Many minutes passed but Vanik decided to occupy himself by getting all their food, snacks, and candy ready. If Vanik was correct, Jim would come out and wish to gobble lots of food. Humans often ate when upset and Jim was no different as far as Vanik could tell.
A half an hour later, the bedroom door opened and both Jim and Spock came out.
Jim smiled when he saw what Vanik had done to set up the place for their festive night.
“This looks great.” Jim walked over to Vanik and knelt down beside him. “And I’m sorry.”
“Are you feeling better now?”
“I am. Thanks to you. Spock told me what you said. And you’re right.” He gave Vanik a hug which Vanik happily returned. “Now let’s get this party started.”
It was a food fest as well as a scare fest and Jim even let Vanik sit on the couch with him and Spock.
Spock paused from peering into his shopping cart to make sure Vanik hadn’t added extra items he didn’t think were necessary to flick a glance at his nephew.
The little pest, to use Jim’s affectionate nickname for him, had insisted on going to the market with Spock as he prepared to select things for their Halloween movie night. Jim had decided the task of shopping should be left to Spock.
Jim had an important simulation test coming up he was preparing for and Jim had given Spock his best captain look, even though he was not yet one, and Spock had decided it was wise not to argue.
As he was departing for the shopping trip, Vanik had arrived to visit and Jim sent Spock’s nephew off with him. Somewhat gleefully, Spock noticed.
“Candy?”
“It’s going to be Halloween,” Vanik replied. “Jim has a sweet tooth.”
Spock stared at him. “Jim does.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie, Spock conceded. Jim was fond of certain sweets and candy was among them. But he also knew no one could beat Vanik for his love of all things sweet.
“And me. Hell hath no fury like a man whose mate forgot his candy,” Vanik made up on the spot.
Spock sighed. The pest wasn’t wrong. And he absolutely hated displeasing Jim. Likely other Vulcans would call him an illogical sap, but there it was.
“What do you recommend?” Spock asked as he wheeled his cart toward the Halloween candy display.
“He likes peanut butter cups.”
“True.” Spock selected two bags while Vanik nodded his approval.
“And the nougat with the peanuts.”
Vanik’s favorite.
Spock picked up a bag and then added a second when Vanik gave him puppy dog eyes.
“Gummy worms?”
Spock nodded and added them and sweetarts as he knew Jim liked those too. “That is most certainly enough.”
“All right! Time to check out.”
And Vanik ran ahead. Spock wasn’t sure he ever had that much energy. But he followed after him, wondering how early he could get Vanik to go home. He wanted to spend some private time with his mate.
Vanik was pleased when Jim stepped aside to allow him to enter the apartment Jim shared with Vanik’s Uncle Spock. He glanced around, already anticipating Jim’s Halloween decorations throughout the apartment.
Jim closed the door and turned to Vanik with his usual congenial smile. “Would you like a snack?”
“I would, yes.” He followed Jim into the kitchen. Jim always kept the best snacks. Spock didn’t prior to meeting Jim. Vanik was responsible for their relationship and he was quite proud of that.
“Cheese flavored chips or pretzels?”
“Where are the decorations?” Vanik asked rather than respond to the question. He didn’t really want to make a choice, he wanted them both.
“Hmm?”
“The bats, the skeletons, the ghosts. It’s October.”
“October third.”
“Yes you had two days to begin.”
Jim shrugged. “I’m going light on decorations this year.” He pointed to the coffee table. “I have a pumpkin.”
“That’s it?”
Jim smiled. “Chips or pretzels?”
“Both?” Vanik said hopefully.
“A kid after my own heart. Both it is.” Jim got out a giant plastic bowl and filled it with the cheese chips and pretzels.
Vanik started munching as he sat on the bar stool next to the kitchen counter. “Uncle Spock won’t eat these, huh? Since it’s got cheese dust.”
“Well, yeah, and he thinks their messy. His loss.”
“Indeed.”
Jim eyed him with a sudden frown. “Put those chips down.”
“What?”
The adult grabbed his arm, surprisingly gently, and brought him into the kitchen, pointing to the sink. “Wash those hands. You’re wearing your school uniform and your Uncle Spock and parents are gonna kill me if you get stuff all over it again.”
“But I want—”
“I’ll put you in a big T-shirt. Just clean up and we’ll take off that shirt.”
A few minutes later, back perched on the stool munching chips and pretzels, Vanik said to Jim, “You are wise.”
Jim laughed.
“You’ll need more decorations for the party though,” Vanik said, returning to the reason he had come.
“Party?” Jim paused with a beer bottle halfway to his mouth.
“Halloween. If you will recall you had one the last two years. It will, admittedly, be difficult to top last years.”
“Uh.”
“What does uh mean?”
“I hate to break it to you, kid, but we’re not having a Halloween party this year.”
“You…are not?” Vanik scrunched up his face.
“Nope. Parties are a lot of work and expense, Vanik. Your uncle and I decided not to have it this year.”
Disappointment washed over him, but with a heavy sigh, he popped another chip in his mouth. “Got any strawberry milk?”
Jim rolled his eyes and went into the fridge for a small bottle that he handed to Vanik. They kept the milk especially for him and Vanik loved that.
“What are the plans for Halloween then?”
“Scary movies, snacks, and cuddling on the couch.”
The door to the apartment opened then and Vanik’s uncle entered. He stopped short on seeing Vanik, then shook his head and reclosed the door.
“Did we expect you today?” Spock asked.
Vanik watched as he came to Jim and gave him a quick kiss. Spock had definitely changed. Thanks to Vanik, of course.
“No. I came to check on the Halloween plans.”
Spock frowned. “Halloween plans? We are not—”
“I know. Jim told me no party. What snacks are we having?”
“What?”
Vanik took a sip of his milk. “I’ll skip the cuddling. I can sit on a chair instead of the couch.”
Spock glanced at Jim, who smiled serenely. He turned away then, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I am getting a headache.”
Vanik looked to Jim. “Snacks?”
Jim laughed. “We have time to think about it.:
He nodded satisfied and realized, mournfully, between he and Jim, the chips and pretzels were gone. He sighed regretfully and slipped off the stool.
:”It is fortunate that Mother, Father and I now live in the same apartment building as you,” Vanik declared as he made his way to the door.
“Yes it is,” Jim agreed, amiably.
Jim was a good egg, Vanik thought. And he said his goodbyes, retrieved his school uniform shirt, and left.
And so it begins. Wednesdays and Fridays all month. Enjoy!
PS. I know it’s Jay’s birthday but I am sorry to say I just didn’t have time to get a separate fic written, my apologies. Looks like Over Time will be finished in early August, anyway. Happy Birthday Jay!
“This is the first day.”
Jim did not look up from his PADD when Vanik spoke. Jim was sitting in the office area of the apartment he shared with Spock studying for a really important test. He vaguely wondered how Vanik got there. He hadn’t let him in and Spock wasn’t there. He did not need to deal with the pest just then.
“First day of what?” he asked absently.
“Christmas in July.”
Now Jim did look up. “Excuse me?”
“It’s July the first.”
“Right. Uh. Vanik. Wait, how’d you get in?” He shook his head. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Because then I will be forced to tell Spock.”
“When do the celebrations begin?”
“Celebrations? Look. That’s not really how it works. It’s not really until July the twenty-fourth or so. You know around the real time for Christmas and Christmas Eve five months later. It’s just sort of a wow, it’s only five months until Christmas thing. It’s now less than half a year. It began in a summer camp in 1933. They had fake snow and trees and Santa even.”
Vanik nodded. “Correct. But over the many years since others have expanded on the time to celebrate ‘Christmas in July’. I would like us to be one of them. If you will recall we did something last year.”
“Did we? Well, even if we did, Vanik, I just don’t have time right now. Maybe later in the month, but I have this big test.”
“I am certain you will ace it as usual, Jim.”
“Right. But you know it’s a little hot to be dashing through the snow anyway.”
“Actually, that song originated as a Thanksgiving song.”
Jim rolled his eyes and went back to reading on his PADD. He hoped that would clue Vanik in that he needed to leave.
“Did you know that?”
“Not only is the answer no, I also don’t care.”
“I brought a Santa, a reindeer and a jingle bell.”
Jim looked up at him again. “You what?”
“Cookie cutters. I thought a pleasurable way to begin the month of Christmas in July was for us to engage in Christmas cookie making.”
Jim blinked at the boy, then sighed. He knew defeat when he saw it. So much for not believing in no-win scenarios.
“Tell you what. You go into the living room and sit quietly on the couch for a whole hour and let me study in peace for that time. And when that hour has passed, we’ll make those cookies. Deal?”
Vanik nodded enthusiastically. “Deal.”
Jim looked at him with skepticism. “You think you can be quiet for that long?”
“It will be a challenge but I am up for it. Especially if it means making Christmas cookies with you.”
Jim smiled, patted the boy’s bowl cut, and shooed him away.
It would take a miracle for him to pass this test at this rate.
Vanik stood before his uncle’s boyfriend, Jim Kirk. To Vanik, Jim was his uncle as well though they had yet to make anything official. There was no way Vanik would let Spock ruin his relationship with Jim, because even Vanik was aware they were T’hy’la.
Jim wasn’t paying any attention to Vanik at that moment. He was sitting behind his desk working on his terminal. Vanik supposed it was for the Academy, but he didn’t really care.
He had much more important things to discuss than Jim’s academic work, which Vanik knew Jim would ace anyway.
“Tomorrow night is the first night of Hanukkah.”
“Mm.”
Vanik clutched his hands together behind his back and tried not to deflate at Jim’s lack of interest. After all, Jim had allowed him entry into the apartment and even supplied Vanik with his favorite drink of the moment, tomato juice.
“As you know, my mother is Jewish.”
“Yep.”
“And Spock’s mother is Jewish.”
“Uh-huh.”
“As you are likely aware, you and Uncle Spock are joining us tomorrow for the start of the Festival of Lights.”
“I do,” Jim acknowledged, though he still failed to give Vanik his full attention.
“Anoria has a big feast planned.”
This earned him a little furrowed line between Jim’s significant brows. “Your mother.”
“Yes,” Vanik agreed. “She will be serving both Vulcan and Human dishes appropriate for all in attendance.” He paused. “She even plans to serve a brisket.”
Jim nodded.
“And Sufganiyots.”
Vanik was looking forward to that most of all as he loved jelly donuts.
“I know.”
Vanik sighed. “What did you get Uncle Spock?”
Finally, startled blue eyes landed on Vanik.
“Huh?”
“For the first night. You did get him a small token of your affection, didn’t you?”
Jim squirmed. “Well. I mean, Spock’s mom is Jewish, but he doesn’t really…he doesn’t practice or anything. So I figured.” He shrugged.
“You would have Uncle Spock be the only one there who didn’t receive a Hanukkah gift?”
“Well…what?”
“I do exaggerate a bit,” Vanik agreed. “Mother and Father acquired small gifts for all of us, Uncle Spock and you included. It would be…troublesome that Spock did not receive a token gift from his significant other. At least on the very first night.”
Jim pushed his chair away from the desk and stood. “I didn’t think about that. It didn’t occur to me.”
Vanik had figured. Jim was truly a fantastic Human and greatly admired by many, Vanik himself definitely included, but there was no getting past that he was often quite…clueless.
“Fortunately, it did to me,” Vanik replied. “The tea shop on the corner is still open. I suggest you accompany me there to select a gift.”
Jim nodded. “Let me get my coat.”
Vanik smiled his satisfaction. In a Vulcan way of course.
As Jim shrugged it on, Vanik continued, “Perhaps it would be prudent to acquire small token gifts for the others in attendance as well.”
“You mean your mom, dad and you?” Jim laughed. “Yeah, okay.”
Vanik nearly clapped his hands. “I will assist you of course.”
“Of course.” Jim ruffled Vanik’s hair. He did not like it when anyone else did so, but for some reason Vanik didn’t mind it with Jim.
As they departed the apartment, Vanik suggested, “While we are out, we should get a pizza for dinner.”
Jim laughed again. “You’re staying for dinner, are you?”
The guy behind the desk looked up. “Are you really?”
Jim nodded. “Yes. And Commander Spock. Here to see the prisoner.”
“Which one?”
Jim glanced in Spock’s direction.
Spock straightened. “Cadet Vanik. We were told he was brought in two hours ago.”
“Oh, right. The half Vulcan. Okay, cellblock twenty.”
“Can we take him home?” Jim asked.
The man looked at his list. “Yes. Long as you pay the fine.”
Jim looked once more at Spock, who nodded.
Jim left Spock to it and then went through the indicated door into the corridor and the cells.
He found cell twenty.
“Vanik.”
The young man quickly straightened from the bunk he was resting on and stood, rushing to the bars.
“Uncle Jim!”
Jim looked at him. “What are you supposed to be?”
Vanik looked down at himself. “Frankenstein.”
Jim arched both brows. “I see. Want to explain yourself?”
“Well, um, there was this party and this fight and…”
“You got in a fight.”
Vanik hung his head. “Yes, sir.”
Jim glanced down the corridor as Spock and a guard came their way.
“All right. We’ve paid your fine. You can come home with us.”
“Thank you!”
The guard opened the door and stood back to let Vanik exit the cell. “You’re free to go, kid. Don’t end up in here again.”
“I will not.”
****
“Uncle Jim seemed angry,” Vanik told his uncle much later as they sat having tea together.
“More…disappointed. Our time is limited here in San Francisco. We depart on the Enterprise the day after tomorrow. Jim has many conferences prior to that and he was forced to take time off from his schedule for us to retrieve you.” Spock sipped his tea. “With your parents on another planet, they looked to us to literally bail you out.”
“It was a Halloween party.”
“I gathered by your choice of attire.”
Vanik blushed. “There were attendants of the party being unpleasant and I admit my emotions were not entirely under control.”
“Given Sybok is your sire I am not altogether surprised. Still you will be lucky if this does not affect your record at the Academy.”
“Do you think it will?”
“What will?”
And suddenly Jim was there, at their outside table, looking good enough to eat, Spock thought, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt with a leather jacket. He carried with him a coffee and a pumpkin cheese Danish which he was already devouring as he sat.
“Uncle Spock wondered if my arrest would make it to my Academy record.”
Jim nodded. “It would have, yes, but somebody you know and love was able to use his influence.”
Vanik brightened at once. “Really? Thank you, Uncle Jim.”
Jim waved that away. “Just see that you keep out of trouble from now on, Vanik. Spock and I will be leaving again and your parents—”
“Yes, yes. I will behave.” Vanik reached over and tore off a piece of Jim’s Danish.
“Is that behaving?”
“But—”
Jim laughed. “It’s fine, kid.”
Vanik smiled slightly. “And you? You two are well? With everything?”
“Of course we are.” Jim smiled at Spock and touched his fingers to Spock’s.
Spock’s eyes warmed. “Now, tell us how your classes are going.” Vanik popped the pastry into his mouth. “Very well. My one class is—”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 