#and then spock attempting to comfort her by telling her she was only a child and did nothing wrong… OUGH

[archersartcorner]

Doodles based on the scene where Spock melds with Saavik to get more info on where she saw the things and when they finish Saavik looks into Spock’s face and sees her own terror mirrored back. Yippee!

[kairoscelrosis]

Ocean Eyes - A Leonard “Bones” McCoy x Reader Fic

Series: Star Trek TOS

Pairings: Leonard “Bones” McCoy x Reader, Implied Spirk

Characters: Reader, Leonard “Bones” McCoy, James T Kirk, Spock, Montgomery Scotty, Nyota Uhura

Trigger Warnings: No triggers apply. 

Word Count: 5,202 words

Author’s Note:

This is my first fic! It has a small amount of fluff, but its mainly full of a plot revolving around the two mentioned relationships. 

You can also find this fic on Wattpad. 

Summary:

Y/N is confused about her feelings for Dr. McCoy. When Spock and Kirk come to know, they devise a fantabulous plan to bring both of them together. 

I was lying down on my bed in a darkened room. Thoughts wandered, but always stopped on one thing. Rather, on one person. It’s weird. I had always liked him a lot – platonically, of course. This was different. “What the hell?”, I said out loud. But that didn’t help the storm raging in my mind. My alarm beeped. 1530 hours. “Damn.” I huffed, got changed, and left for the Bridge. My eight-hour shift was about to begin.

______________________________________________________________

On the bridge

“Captain.”, I said in a confident, but tired voice. “Lieutenant Y/L/N reporting for Beta Shift.”

“Yes, Lieutenant.” Kirk replied without looking towards me. “Please report to Mr. Spock for this shift’s agenda. You will be taking over from him for the Beta shift.”

I walked over to Mr. Spock’s science station. “Commander Spock. Lieutenant Y/L/N reporting.” His head bobbed in a small greeting.

Spock and I had known each other since my academy days when he was my professor for most subjects. He was my role model and mentor, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. He was also my closest friend on the ship.

After briefing me with the progress he had made on the current star charting assignment and about his inferences on the nearby nebula, Spock walked over to Kirk, and whispered something. Kirk nodded and said, “Please continue with our research assignments. Mr. Sulu, you have the conn. I’ll be in my quarters.”

  ______________________________________________________________  

Spock’s POV

After filling in Y/N, I walked over to the Captain and quietly said, “Captain, I would like to speak with you.” He nodded, gave his usual orders, and both of us left the bridge for his quarters.

Once in the sanctuary of his quarters, the Captain turned to me, and asked, “What is it, Mr. Spock? You seem concerned.”

I replied in the affirmative, and said, “My concern is for Lieutenant Y/L/N, sir. She seems to be ‘out of her elements’, as would be expressed in Terran colloquial.”

The Captain offered a small, though rueful smile at this. “I agree with you Mr. Spock. She is not one of the outspoken ones, but she does seem a bit… subdued. Perhaps we should ask her what the problem is?”

“Perhaps. Though I have another suggestion sir. We are going to take a short shore leave on Star Base 12 in a few hours. Why not relieve Lieutenant Y/L/N early from her Beta shift so that she can recuperate and make the most out of this shore leave?”

“Yes Mr. Spock. An excellent idea. Anyhow, we take shore leaves only once in a blue moon, so why not allow her to rest a bit before going back out into the dark. I believe we will establish orbit around Star Base 12 by 1800 hours. I myself will relieve her at 1830 hours. Thank you for bringing this to my notice Mr. Spock.”

“My pleasure.”

______________________________________________________________

A few hours later…

Y/N’s POV

After several attempts to refuse an early shore leave and in complete denial of any need of this favour, I had finally beamed down onto Star Base 12.

Along with Scotty.

You might wonder why I was accompanied by the Chief Engineer. That was because of my resistance to go down. Kirk had asked Scotty to accompany me so that I did not sneak back onto the ship. I sighed inwardly.

Wanting to make the most of this time, I asked Scotty to come along with me to a street market. I loved the vibe of street markets – the dim lights, the muffled voices, walking around – it was the perfect ambience to relax.

“Hey Scotty! Come on!” I turned and called to Scotty, who was dragging his feet like a bored teenager. “Ach lass! I didn’t know that I’d have to babysit ya today. I wanted to go to the bar.” He moaned.

“Okay, okay, Lieutenant Commander Scott. Lieutenant Y/L/N will not hold you for long. Come, roam around with me for a while, and then we’ll both go to the bar.”

His face lit up like that of a child on Christmas morning. After that, there was a certain bounce in his step, not stalling anymore.

While scanning the stalls, I saw a small, wooden stringed instrument which piqued my interest. Picking it up gingerly, I held it in my hands. It felt right.

“Ah lass! What are ya doing with a ukulele?”

“You know the name of this instrument?” The shopkeeper asked, visibly surprised.

“Yes of course! My gran used to play this really well. She got it as an heirloom from her mother, who got it from her mother.”

I strummed the strings of the ukulele tentatively. A beautiful sound, though not very melodious, emerged.

“Can I buy this? It’s beautiful.”

The shopkeeper smiled, “You have really good taste. I can see you play this beautifully. That will be ten credits. If you want, I can teach this to you as well.” Her offer seemed genuine.

“Thank you so much!”

  ______________________________________________________________

At the bar

I let an evil grin emerge. Scotty had his head down. I had known his weakness, and now I had the chance to escape.

Well, escape is a strong word, but I had been forced to come down – so it was justified.

I had just drunk a glass of iced tea, not preferring to be hungover the next morning. I had never really liked drinking anyway.

As I was sneaking out of the bar, I saw HIM coming in. My heart immediately jumped into my mouth, beating like crazy. I hid behind the table where an employee was granting entry to the guests. He gave me a weird look but did nothing about me being there.

Once certain that HE was gone, I brushed my clothes, held my head high and started to walk towards the door, when I heard someone call me, and I froze.

“Y/N? Whatcha doin’ here? I thought ya didn’t drink.” The southern drawl rolling smoothly off his tongue.

“H-Hey Doc. Yeah, I don’t drink. I was just giving Scotty some company. I’m going back to my room now.”

“’Kay, great! Have a nice evening.” He sauntered away to where Scotty lay knocked out.

This was getting harder day by day.

______________________________________________________________

The next morning

I was back in my quarters on the Enterprise. Last night had been great, though I won’t admit this to anyone.

After encountering Bones at the bar, I had gone to the shopkeeper who had sold me the ukulele, and I sat there till late at night, learning the basics. I picked up the chords pretty quickly and was onto my first song by midnight. The street shops were open till 2 in the morning, and the shopkeeper seemed keen on teaching me, so I figured why not learn as much as I could.

She told me she had many copies (yes, actual paper copies!) of songs. She called them scores or sheet music. She gave me all the copies of scores she possessed, and I was so grateful!

Rand smuggled me back onto the ship by manning the transporter. She was going down in a while and didn’t mind disobeying Kirk.

The clock flashed 0800 hours as I was snapped out of my thoughts about the previous night. I wanted to utilize the rest of my shore leave efficiently. I got up, showered, and walked to the replicator. When nothing came out even after swiping the card multiple times, I let a sigh out and decided that I’d have to go to the mess.

I swaggered along the deserted decks and corridors of the ship, making no effort to conceal myself. Most people were down on the planet, including the two I wanted to avoid.

Walking into the mess, I ordered popcorn (weird choice, I know) and sat down. Spock, who had entered the mess just after me, slid into the seat opposite me, both of us falling into a comfortable silence. We often had our breakfast together. I was one of the people closest to Spock.

Putting down the Vulcan equivalent of an apple, Spock looked at me and asked, “How are you Y/N? You seemed extremely sombre yesterday. That is unlike you.”

The corner of my mouth lifted slightly at his concern. “I am fine.” I replied. “I guess the work got to me. Yesterday was a nice break.” So much for not telling anyone, I thought, amused. “I don’t think Kirk thought of relieving me early yesterday. Someone else was behind that move.” I gave a teasing grin. Spock’s eyes crinkled in a semblance of a grin.

Once done with our respective meals, I said, “Come to my quarters tonight, Spock. I’ll tell you about my evening and you can tell me about yours. Maybe I’ll even play you something. Bring your lyre as well. I wanna hear you play it.”

Spock bobbed his head, confirming that he’d be there.

  ______________________________________________________________

That evening

I heard knocking at the door. “Come in.” Spock walked in with his Vulcan lyre in hand. I gave him a smile.

Though my quarters were small, I had made enough space for us to sit comfortably, without invading each other’s space. He sat down on the straight backed, cushioned seat which he preferred, and I pulled my desk chair to sit on.

We talked about the events of last night, me reciting everything other than the event when I ran into the Doc (that incident was kept to myself for the time being). Spock told how he had done some work in the science lab, read a book, and practiced playing the lyre (though he didn’t need any).  

“You said that you were going to play for me?” It was more a request than a question. “Yeah.”, I replied. “I bought this old Terran stringed instrument called the ukulele yesterday, and the lady who sold it to me taught me how to read sheet music and also helped me play my first song. It’s “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish from 2016. I’ve heard it before. You wanna hear it?”

Spock lifted his eyebrows in classic Spock fashion, essaying his agreement.

I rarely sang, but when I did, it was only in the privacy of my own quarters. Spock had heard me sing, though not very often.

I started strumming, trying to pick the beat from where I had to start the vocal.

I've been watchin' you for some time Can't stop starin' at those ocean eyes Burning cities and napalm skies Fifteen flares inside those ocean eyes Your ocean eyes.

No fair You really know how to make me cry When you gimme those ocean eyes I'm scared I've never fallen fro…

 I faltered. Spock nodded, his eyes intently watching, eyebrow perked. I could see something glint in his eyes but didn’t understand what it was. I resumed the strumming.

I've never fallen from quite this high                                                                Fallin' into your ocean eyes Those ocean eyes.

I've been walkin' through a world gone blind Can't stop thinkin' of your diamond mind Careful creature made friends with time He left her lonely with a diamond mind And those ocean eyes.

No fair You really know how to make me cry When you gimme those ocean eyes I'm scared I've never fallen from quite this high Fallin' into your ocean eyes Those ocean eyes.

I had been nervous, not because it was my first time playing this song in front of somebody (because I knew Spock would never disregard the importance of beginning, and subsequently growing as a person), but because this song reminded me of a certain someone. If Spock connected the dots, I don’t know what his reaction would be, and whether he would tell McCoy or Jim.

There was silence for a moment. Spock opened his mouth to say something, but then, his communicator beeped. Flipping it open, he said, “Spock here.”

Kirk’s voice cracked through. “Mr. Spock. I request you to please report to my quarters. I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.”

Spock looked at me, that glint still there. I nodded my assent and picked up his lyre from my bed and handed it to him, as he stood from his chair to leave.

I mouthed, “See you later”, and then the door shut.

Lying down on my bed, I decided that it would be best to go to sleep.

But sleep just wouldn’t come.

______________________________________________________________

Spock’s POV

I had had a nice evening with Y/N, though the lyrics of her song still perplexed me. I was reminded of someone by those lyrics, but I can’t seem to determine whom. My brain was “short-circuiting”, as Jim would say, but I was not able to put a finger on who the song pointed to. I had known Y/N long enough to know that this wasn’t just “nothing”, though that’s what she wanted me to believe.

I didn’t know what to make of Jim’s call either. He had planned to stay ashore for at least 12 more hours, but he now was aboard the ship. Though Jim’s words had been authoritative, his tone was friendly and indicated that this had nothing to do with the ship.

I knocked on the door of Jim’s quarters, and heard a small “Come in”. When I walked in, Jim was seated at his desk, his hands intertwined into a tent. “A ‘deep in thought’ position” I thought.

“Jim. Is something troubling you?” Jim looked up and gestured me to sit down. I complied. “No Spock, nothing is troubling me. It’s just, I think I know now why Y/N has been so quiet.”

I gave him a quizzical look.

“Spock, I believe you were with Y/N when I called you?” I nodded. I couldn’t understand where this was going.

“What were you doing?” One of my eyebrows lifted in confusion. Why was Jim asking that?

“Jim, I don’t think you should ask that. I think, on Earth, this is called snooping. Though you are a good friend of Y/N’s, it is my moral responsibility not to tell you anything about what she told or did in confidence.”

Jim’s eyes expressed the same warmth as his smile when I said that. “True gentleman you are, Mr. Spock. Okay, I’ll tell you why I asked that question.” My eyebrows perched higher, indicating my interest.

“I was going to Y/N’s chamber to admonish her for not following her Captain’s orders.”

My expression moved from interested to inquiring.

“I had ordered Y/N to stay on the planet for the entirety of the shore leave. However, when I went to her room at the lodging, she wasn’t there. She had told McCoy that she would be in her room. I knew where she would be – in her quarters, aboard the Enterprise. I walked to her quarters, mock-fuming, and was about to knock, when I heard her start singing.”

I opened my mouth to rebuke Jim for eavesdropping, when he interrupted, “I know Spock, but I had no intention to eavesdrop. I was just drawn to her voice and that song. I love that song.”

“Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish?”

“Yeah, that one. I was surprised that you didn’t hear me standing outside, what with your enhanced hearing.”

I paused for a moment before I spoke, staring past Jim’s shoulder, my eyes resting on his laurels. “I had been thinking about something.”

______________________________________________________________

Jim’s POV

Spock had apparently zoned out. That was a first.

“I think I can guess what you were thinking about.”

Spock’s eyebrows flew up. “Do you?” he enquired.

“Yes Spock, I think I do. And I think you do too, now. You have arrived at a conclusion, and I would like you to share it with me.”

Spock seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then turned to face me. “I think this has something to do with Dr. McCoy.” My smile turned into a grin. Spock was REALLY smart with this stuff for a person who swore by logic. Spock took this as a confirmation that he was correct.

“I assume I am correct. However, I do not fully understand.”, he remarked.

“My dear Spock, I was surprised that you inferred this much.” If Spock’s brows could go higher, they would have. “It is my hypothesis that Y/N likes Dr. McCoy, but she is in denial.” Spock’s face expressed a mixture of distaste and bewilderment. I chuckled.

“I have known Y/N since our academy days. She is slightly younger than me, but she was always a prodigy. Always top of the class. Not just with marks or grades, but with her work ethic as well. She has never been in a relationship; she never felt the need to be in one. Now, she reminds me a lot of someone I know. Maybe that’s why both of them are such good friends.” I looked at Spock. His face radiated a hint of pride.

I continued. “And now, she is faced by this overwhelming feeling, one I doubt she ever felt before. And she is uncertain, how to act on this feeling, or whether to act at all.”

Realization dawned on Spock’s visage. Then, it was replaced by dubiousness and even a hint of distaste. “But why Dr. McCoy?” he asked. I let out a hearty laugh. Everyone knew of the friendly banter between him and McCoy.

“No Jim, I am serious. I care for Y/N deeply, though not in a romantic sense. If the doctor did anything to hurt her, I would disapprove.”

By “disapprove” I knew Spock would go on a killing spree. And the first would be Bones. I grinned inwardly. This was starting to get interesting, and I now had a chance to tease Spock.

“Isn’t disapproval a human emotion?” I tried (and failed) to keep the smirk off my face.

Spock looked at me dead in the eyes. My stomach suddenly became a bottomless pit. With an intense gaze, he whispered, “Yes.”

______________________________________________________________

Bones’ POV

I was on my way to the Transporter Room when Uhura said that she had a message from Joanna. Her messages really made my day. I asked her to transfer the message to the intercom in the Transporter Room.

I walked into the transporter room, which seemed to be deserted. “Never mind”, I thought. I would have preferred to listen to the message alone, so I didn’t mind. I switched on the intercom and confirmed that I had reached the Transporter Room.

Immediately, Joanna’s message started playing.

“Hey Papa!”, her sweet voice chirped. I smiled. “I was a few light years away from Earth, so decided that why not spend my holiday on our home planet. I went to Georgia and checked on our house and the farm. Everything is in place. I am off to India to spend a week or two. I have a month before I join the Farragut as their nurse trainee. I am really excited! Tell me if the Enterprise’s schedule matches with the Farragut’s, so that we can meet soon. Love you and meet you soon!”

“Wow”, I breathed. “What an exciting young lady.” I thanked Uhura, and then typed up my message on my PADD and sent it to her. I still like sending her emails, though they were considered ancient. “Hmm.” I hummed. “Forever the sensualist.”

______________________________________________________________  

Later that evening

I was trying to find the bar where Scotty had asked me to join him, when I caught a glimpse of Y/N coming out of a bar. I had heard that she had been accompanied by Scotty onto the surface, so I started walking towards her. I heard some laughter and turned to look in the direction of the commotion. Seeing nothing of significance, I faced again towards my destination, searching for Y/N, but she had disappeared. “Weird”, I mumbled.

I stepped into the foyer and was about to enter the bar when I turned around, wondering where Y/N had gone. And there she was! I called out her name and made small talk. Then we both went our separate ways.

I spotted Scotty and hurried towards his seat. “Got started without me, huh?”, I teased. Scotty, who had had is head down, lifted it and slurred, “Why are yer cheeks red, eh McCoy? Had a swig on the ship, huh?” I knitted my eyebrows together. I hadn’t been drinking. I dismissed it to be the cold.

______________________________________________________________

A few hours later

A blinding light flashed in my eyes. “Who’s it? What’re you doin’?” I caught a glimpse of a blue shirt. It reminded me of someone.

“Y/N?”

“Bones why do you have to drink so much? You always get hungover and start hallucinating. Then I have to take care of you. Dammit, I’m a Starship captain, not a doctor.”

“Ah Jimmy boy. Take me home now, will ya?”

______________________________________________________________

The next morning

I woke up with a splitting headache. When I opened my eyes and looked around that I realized I was not in my quarters. Hell, I wasn’t even on the Enterprise.

“Shit.” I cursed softly.

“Finally, you are up, huh? I really think you could’ve given Sleeping Beauty a run for the money.”

I huffed. I knew that voice well. Maybe too well. And I knew what that meant. “I’m sorry Jim. Just got flown away with the drinking last night. I don’t even remember you picking me up.”

“I think we should stop booking an extra room for you. You always end up crashing in mine during shore leaves.”, Jim remarked sarcastically, getting up from the reading chair and putting down his PADD.

“Drink this. You’ll feel better.” He handed me a glass of lemonade.

“What, you’re gonna use my own hacks against me?”

“Shut up and drink it.”

I accepted the glass and started taking sips from it.

“You know, you said something last night which made me think a lot.”

“Well, that’s new.” I remarked with a smirk.

Jim feigned annoyance, then continued. “You know, when I came to pick you up last night, I was wearing a blue shirt.”

“Mh-hm”

“And when you saw me, you said, ‘Y/N?’. Were you expecting her or something?”

“Hmm. I don’t remember saying that actually. Maybe that was because I saw her last night before going into the bar. She was hiding from somebody, I guess. And I was surprised to even see her at a bar – she doesn’t drink, you know.”

Jim nodded. “Do you know where she went?”

“She said she was going to her room.” I said, matter-of-factly.

“’Kay.”

______________________________________________________________

That evening

Jim had left for the Enterprise – he had some work onboard. I decided that I’d roam around the markets for a while. I never was a fan of shopping, but Christine always asked me to take small memorabilia from each planet I visited for Joanna. She seemed to like it – so I didn’t mind too much.

Hands tucked behind my back, I strolled through the stalls. I came across a shop selling ancient art prints. There were abstract paintings, movie poster recreations and the like. I picked up a print of warm toned abstract art and a recreation of the Titanic poster for Joanna. Suddenly, a small necklace and bracelet caught my eye. It didn’t seem to have any lustre, but it had an aura that I was drawn to. Entranced, I asked what it was.

“It is Vokaya – a rare Vulcan jewel.” The shopkeeper said. He was Vulcan as well. So much for being in a green-hobgoblin-free zone. But really, I was mesmerised by this ornament, and ended up buying it.

Walking back to my room, I huffed. I had never been an impulsive buyer. Thinking about the peculiar feeling that had filled me, I walked down the corridor and entered my room.

And collided with someone standing straight like a rod.

I groaned. I knew who this was.

______________________________________________________________

Y/N’s POV

The next morning

I finally got out of my bed – I had barely gotten any sleep. I kept tossing and turning, thinking about my encounter with Bones last night and Spock’s reaction to me singing that song. He must have figured it out by now.

“Well – how bad can the situation get?” I murmured.

Before I could go into the washroom to get ready for the day, I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

In stormed Jim Kirk – his expression unreadable.

“Captain? What happened? Is everything alright?”

“Jim, please; I’m off duty.” Sitting down on the chair where Spock had sat last night, he said, “Calm down Y/N. Nothing’s wrong. Can’t a friend come to talk to another friend when everyone else is on shore leave?” He flashed that “I am charming” smile. I rolled my eyes.

“Sit down Jim. Let me get dressed. Then we can have breakfast together in the mess.”

Jim shook his head. “I think we should eat in my quarters.”

That was new. Why did Jim want to have breakfast alone? “Okay…” I said, sounding hesitant.

Jim gave me a smile, a genuine one. “Don’t worry, Y/N. Really. It’s nothing.”

Knowing Jim for so many years had made one thing clear:

When he said, “It’s nothing.”, there really WAS something.

______________________________________________________________

Jim’s POV

When I entered Y/N’s quarters, she looked a mess. She had always been an extremely graceful and likeable person – after all, we both were nerds. But today, there was something off. She had eyebags beneath her eyes, and her tired demeanour indicated that she hadn’t gotten much sleep.

But I could not bail out on Spock’s plan. So, it would have to do.

Spock had come up with something which was very unlike Spock – but the man never failed to surprise me. We had done what we had to do with McCoy. It hadn’t been easy, because he would not sleep at night, and kept protesting when he woke up. But we had managed.

He was in his quarters, unaware what was happening. We had brought him aboard forcefully. He won’t sit there for long. We had to hurry.

“Hey, Jim. Let’s go.”

I snapped my head in the direction of the voice.

“After you”

As the door slid open, a small voice came through.

“I am sorry Y/N.”

And then, Y/N slumped unconscious.

______________________________________________________________

A few hours later

Bones POV

Spock and Jim had been acting weird. Like, they have always been slightly off their hooks, but today, there was an air of urgency about them.

That is extremely discomforting with Spock, because usually he is the patient one preventing Jim from running around like a headless chicken.

I was pacing around my quarters. I had been asked to stay inside until called. “Captain’s orders.”, Jim had said.

I huffed. Did he really think I was going to listen to him? It had been a while since they had left, and I decided to get some work done.

Before I could decide what was the agenda for today, my intercom whistled. “McCoy here.”

“Uhura here.” Her voice was strained. “Doctor, please hurry to the Bridge. There is an emergency. Y/N has fainted.” Cursing under my breath, I picked up my medical kit and rushed out of the door.

The doors of the turbolift slid open and I walked out, worried what had happened. I looked around but there was no one. Perplexed, I scanned the bridge for any signs of hastened evacuation. My eyes landed on a head poking from the Captain’s chair.

I walked to the chair and turned it around. Y/N was slumped unconscious in it. I took her pulse, but it was really faint. I took out a hypo and filled it with cordrazine. This was risky material, but it would wake Y/N up for sure. The hypo hissed as it pressed it into her forearm, and she stirred.

______________________________________________________________

Y/N’s POV

My head was throbbing. My eyes fluttered, but they won’t open. “Too bright”, I mumbled. Someone standing next to me said, “Computer, dim the lights.” The voice mumbled something, then stopped. My eyes opened, and then focussed on the person kneeling beside me. “Doctor?” I said, voice cracking.

“Yeah Y/N. What happened? Why did you faint? Why are you sitting in the Captain’s chair? Do you remember anything?”

I looked around, a bewildered look covering my face. I didn’t remember coming to the bridge. “I don’t know Doc… I don’t even remember coming to the bridge…” McCoy got up quickly and started examining me with his tricorder.

“No signs of mental trauma. Are you sure you don’t remember coming here?” I nodded. Looking around, I now noticed that the lighting was pinkish. “Hey Doc… why is the lighting here pink?” I failed to keep the smile off my face.

He chuckled. “I don’t know. When you woke up, I ordered the computer to dim the lights. It did, but the lights also became pink.”

Suddenly, it hit me. “Oh my God. I just remembered. This has something to do with Jim. And Spock. Jim had come to my quarters to invite me for breakfast. When I was about to walk out, somebody said, ‘I am sorry Y/N.’, and then I fainted.”

McCoy’s eyes had grown wide. He seemed angry. “Come on. Let’s find the two devils.”

I tried getting up but stumbled. McCoy held my forearm and held me up. Then he stopped. “Y/N. There’s a piece of paper stuck to your back.” Confused, I asked him to remove it. “It won’t come off.”

“What does it say?”

“Um… It says, ‘I’ve been watching you for some time; Can’t stop staring at those ocean eyes.’”

I froze. I turned around to face McCoy and opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

I couldn’t decipher the expression on his face, but I could see the gears turning in his mind. Would he be angry? Or upset? I half expected him to just shrug and walk away, when surprisingly he held my hand and kissed it.

I tilted my head like a confused squirrel, giving him a look of *almost* disbelief.

He chuckled, “Yeah I get it now. But before we get all sweet, I really wanna hunt down both the red-blooded and the green-blooded devils. They are not going to get away with this.”

I looked into his eyes, for the first time today.

And I felt myself sinking deep into the ocean of his eyes.

______________________________________________________________

Epilogue

Spock’s POV

We had watched the events on the bridge as they took place trough the security cameras. By we, I mean Jim, I and Uhura.

Uhura was laughing so hard that she was on the verge of choking. Jim was bursting with laughter and happiness, his cheeks red. The sight made me want to smile broadly.

“Oh my God Spock, you really are a genius. This was the cleverest shipping of two people ever!”

I tilted my head, asking him what “shipping” meant.

“Never mind. Let’s go now. Otherwise, Bones will hypo the lives out of us. And Y/N adding to the party is not going to be beneficial.”

He gripped my hand and lead the way, running through the corridors of our beloved ship.

And I didn’t mind being by his side one bit.

[spockfallsinlove]

@sciencebluefeelings prompt: Jim has a kink in his back from sleeping on emergency rations, triggered by Tarsus IV.  in other words: another angsty Tarsus IV with Spock helping Jim fic kirk/spock. 2.4k words. angst, ptsd, jim’s poor back 

Jim can feel when it’s getting bad again.

It’s a snaking feeling up his spine, a tingling under his skin. It manifests in ticks that seem to have nothing to do with the root of the problem: rearranging the papers on his desk into specifically-sized piles, adjusting himself in his chair on the bridge into ten different positions in ten minutes, inability to throw things away, checking and re-checking that he sent comms an unnecessary amount of times.

This time, what triggered it was reports of attempted genocide occuring on planet Varga, with the use of a fungus that would kill most vegetation and cause mass starvation. After reading the report, it took Jim too long to leave his cabin for his shift that morning.

And Jim knows it’s coming, tries to temper it. Since he knows it’s coming, the really bad part of it all, he convinces himself that it’s manageable.

But then it ramps up.

Inability to throw things away graduates to storing those things under his bed, in his drawers, in his closet. He begins to take extra non-perishable food items from the mess hall and stores it in his desk until he can barely shut the drawers. He takes a box of emergency rations from medbay to keep in his room (Bones tries to talk to him about this, but backs off when Jim snaps at him). These rations make it to the same place they always do, when things get this bad: under his covers, where he curls around them in a distorted fetal position, the sharp corners of the ration bars digging into his sides.

It is, in a warped way, comforting, when he wakes up from his vividly real nightmares of crying children and concave stomachs: the sharp corners of the ration bars reminding him that he’s still alive, still grounded in reality.

Things will get back to normal soon. This mania, Jim knows, will only last for a little less than a month.  Bones unsolicitedly gives him caffeine hypos for the exhaustion, and Jim switches to hot water showers instead of sonics in order to ease his aching back.

Spock is, of course, more observant than Jim would like him to be. He can feel Spock’s eyes on him when he’s rolling his shoulders and wincing on the bridge. There’s a tightness in Spock’s lips when Jim trips over his own words when giving an order and punctuating the ends of his sentences with yawns.

But unlike Bones, Spock doesn’t say anything; doesn’t crowd Jim with questions. It’s a method of friendship that Jim can appreciate, he thinks as he settles in bed for a fifth night with the rations rustling around in his sheets. Spock knows where his business lies, and that’s not poking his nose into Jim’s affairs.

Until the away mission.

They’re running from a pack of particularly hostile aliens. Shortly after leaping over a rock, Jim feels something crack in his spine and he’s on the ground, sprawled flat on his stomach.

Spock has to hoist him over his shoulder and carry him the rest of the way back to the beaming-up coordinates.

“Perhaps a visit to sickbay is in order,” Spock suggests after they’ve energized, watching Jim hobble his way off the platform.

“It’s nothing a hot water bottle won’t fix,” Jim says lightly. Spock looks impassive. Jim waves his hand. “Seriously, Spock, it’s nothing. All sickbay will get me is a Bones barking at me to eat more vegetables and exercise more frequently. I just need a night of rest.”

With an eyebrow raised, Spock suggests, “At least allow me to be your replacement for the rest of your shift, Captain. So that your rest can be expedited to the present instead of seven hours from now.”

Jim does his best to straighten his crooked spine and look stately as he nods in agreement. “Yes, perhaps that’d be good. We have that summit meeting at Starbase 24 tomorrow—wouldn’t want to be at half-mast in front of Admiral Komack.”

Spock’s lips twitch, the only indication that he appreciated Jim’s stab at humor. “Indeed, Captain.”

Jim waits until Spock has left the transporter room before slowly making his way to his quarters, praying that Bone won’t materialize around a corner with a hypo in hand.

For the next seven hours, Jim tries his best to be comfortable lying straight-backed over the rations. They crinkle in protest every time he adjusts. He can practically hear his back shrieking at him every time he moves.

It’s hours of agony until someone beeps the intercom for his door.

Jim barks, sitting up against his pillows, “What?”

“Captain, may I enter?” Spock asks from the other side of the door.

Jim curses under his breath. Sweeps his blanket over any visible rations and pulls it higher over his chest. “You may,” he calls back.

The door slides away to reveal Spock, looking nothing like a man whose had a continuous twenty-four hour shift, with the last seven being acting Captain.

Jim feels a warmth in his chest that tugs his face into a smile. “How was the shift, Spock?”

“Uneventful, Captain. Starbase 24 contacted us to see if we were on course for the summit meeting—I affirmed that we were.”

“Excellent.” Jim feels his lower back spasm; he resists the urge to shift. “I should be ready to beam down at 0800 for the meeting.”

“Yes, sir.” Spock visibly hesitates. “I came to inquire—are you feeling satisfactory?”

Jim scoffs. “Careful, Spock, you’re starting to sound like Bones.”

Spock, if possible, raises himself to straighten further. “I am deeply grieved to hear that, Captain.”

That gets a happy laugh out of Jim; he feels his back relax from the movement. “I apologize, Mr. Spock, I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“Negative, Captain.” Spock adjusts his hands behind him. “I merely wanted to inquire after your health and see if I could be of any assistance.”

“Assistance? What, are you going to sternly tell my spine to do its logical job and stop causing me grievances?”

There’s a crinkle around the corners of Spock’s eyes. “Negative. I came to offer my chiropractic expertise.”

Jim asks, “Your what now?”

Spock takes a step forward. “My mother was ailed with scoliosis as a child. As a result, she experienced frequent soreness and misalignment in her spine. My father and I thought it only logical to become well-versed on the subject, so that we could help her when needed.”

“Well, that is logical,” Jim says, “but I don’t want to trouble you if—”

“It’s no trouble,” Spock cuts in, almost too quickly. He ducks his head, adding, “Sir.”

There’s a silence that hangs over them. Jim realizes belatedly how dark it is in the room, with the lights only at forty percent. He tries not to appreciate Spock too much in this dim light, how it softens his features and makes his chocolate eyes all the deeper. Spock, his straight-laced Vulcan first officer who essentially just offered to massage him.

“If you are uncomfortable with my suggestion, please say so,” Spock says, voice pitched lower, with a touch of strain. It makes Jim realize that he’s been making Spock wait for his answer.

And it’s this vulnerability in Spock, Jim’s desire to keep Spock from feeling embarrassed, that makes Jim forget the rations in his bed or the food stuffed in his desk drawers. It makes him say, “Of course I’m not, Spock. I would be honored if you helped me.”

Spock nods, shoulders minutely deflating. “Very good, Captain. In that case, I will ask you to sit on the edge of the bed.”

Jim forgets the rations and the food, that is, until Spock moves forward toward him, and puts a hand on it, making a move to sit down. Both of them freeze when Spock’s movement elicits a very loud, very obnoxious crackle.

Spock stares at Jim, silently demanding an explanation. Jim stares right back, feeling his cheeks literally bursting into flame.

“I, uh…” Jim shifts against his pillow; there’s more crackling as the rations are further shifted around in his sheets. “Maybe now isn’t a good time, Spock, I—well—”

Spock is just looking more increasingly horrified, and Jim can’t blame him, especially can’t blame him for lifting up the sheet at Jim’s feet to examine the cause of what’s causing such a racket. Spock sees the rations, at least fifteen clustered around Jim’s ankles alone, and stares.

“Captain…” Spock begins.

Jim feels his jaw working, but he doesn’t know what to say. He stares at his hands.

“Jim—”

“I don’t want to explain,” Jim snaps. He still can’t meet Spock’s eyes, because he knows what he’ll see in them: pity and judgement and something else he doesn’t want to mention. “Don’t ask me to explain, Spock, because I don’t want to, alright? I can’t. Just leave it alone.”

Jim expects Spock to run. To calmly replace the sheet back over Jim’s legs and then bolt right out of the room and then declare the lunatic captain unfit to run the ship.

Instead, Spock stands. He folds his hands behind his back and stands back at a respectable distance. “Jim,” he says again.

When Jim finally looks up at Spock, there’s nothing what he expected: no pity, no judgement, no shame. Just understanding. “Jim, do you want me to leave, or stay?”

Jim swallows; it gets caught in the closing of his throat. He considers only a moment before saying, “Please stay, Spock.”

Spock nods. He gestures for Jim to move to the edge of the bed.

Jim obliges, his legs dangle over the side as he sits in a hunched position. Spock sits behind him, the ration bars crinkling under his weight. If this bothers him, he gives no indication.

Voice steady, Spock says, “I am going to examine your back now, to see where the ailment is stemming from. This won’t take a moment.”

Jim nods. He feels Spock’s gentle but firm fingers press into his back, wandering up and down his spine. There’s a calming rhythm in his explorations of Jim’s muscles, one that makes Jim’s eyes feel heavier, his shoulders feel lighter.

“I found it,” Spock says after a few long minutes. “It’s the lower part of your spine. What position do you often sleep in?”

“On my side,” Jim says. “Often not straight.”

“It could be causing the problem.” Spock’s fingers press into Jim’s lower back, right on the sore spot, and Jim has to suppress a sigh. “I don’t detect it’s spinal; simply the muscles are overworked and tight in this area. It can be solved through massage.”

“That’s good to hear,” Jim says, trying to keep his voice steady.

“Indeed. Are you comfortable in this position?”

Jim nods. He feels Spock’s fingers press into his muscles again with more firmness, more direction. “Thank you, Spock,” he says.

“Of course, Captain.”

Taking a steadying breath, Jim continues, “For this and… for not prying.”

Spock is silent. His fingers continue to press into Jim’s back. He finally says, “I will not pry. I simply wish to state that I am available to you in a capacity that goes beyond a First Officer’s duties. As a friend.”

Jim closes his eyes and pushes against the tide of feeling rising in his chest. “I appreciate that, Spock.”

“It is no trouble, Jim,” Spock replies, and continues to push at Jim’s back.

It’s been years since Jim’s allowed something like this. For someone to help him, just for the sake of it. Bones constantly pushes Jim to take care of himself, to seek emotional help—and Jim appreciates it, despite the annoyance of it.

But with Spock, it’s different. With Spock, Jim feel as though he can just allow himself to be helped—mainly, because he knows that Spock will only offer help since it’s the logical thing to do. There’s comfort in that. That logically, friends help each other, so that they can continue on in life being happy and healthy.

It’s logic, Jim insists to himself, that makes him say on a quiet breath, “Tarsus IV.”

Spock’s hands still.

“It’s…” Jim clears his throat. “It’s about Tarsus IV.”

He doesn’t explain further. He knows he doesn’t have to, that Spock is brilliant enough to put the rations and the lack of sleep and the events that happened on that planet together in order to create the whole picture. Jim knows he doesn’t have to, based on the sharp intake of breath Spock takes before his fingers begin gently pushing into Jim’s shirt again.

“‘In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.’” Spock says.

“What?” Jim asks. He turns his head to look at Spock over his shoulder, worried Spock might be having a stroke.

“A quote by Albert Camus I read once,” Spock explains. He puts his hands in his lap. “You possess within you an invincible summer, Jim. This period of winter will not falter it.”

“Metaphors, Mr. Spock?” Jim tries to tease, although his chest is bursting with about twenty different kinds of emotion.

“Only for you, Captain,” Spock spars with a twitch of his lips. “Please turn so that I may continue to aid your back.”

“Yes, sir,” Jim says teasingly, moving his head back to neutral position. He feels a smile, a genuine smile that he hasn’t felt in weeks, pull at his lips. He closes his eyes and focuses on Spock’s brilliant fingers pushing into the tight spots Jim didn’t even know he had, drawing out the pain and smoothing it out.

And if Spock leans in further toward Jim’s back, enough so that Jim can feel the warmth emanating from his friend, Jim just smiles and doesn’t say a word.

↳ prompts are open for mowripro, send one to my askbox.

[starfleetimagines]

Upcoming Imagines (Feb. 2/20)

These are all of the requests I have received and have decided to write. I can’t promise when any of these will be written and I don’t have an order that I’ll be writing them in - I just write whatever one I have inspiration for at a given time.

Currently, I’m very busy with my university classes as well as volunteering at my old elementary school one day a week. So, I don’t have much time to write. I have a break week in two weeks so hopefully I’ll have some time then to write some stuff. But yeah, here are the requests that I’ll try to write in the next few months:

Quark – Marital Advice (aw--heck on tumblr) [Any chance I could get a DS9 request where the reader goes to their best friend Quark to talk about marriage troubles with their husband Worf? A bit of comforting banter at the bar type thing?]

Garak – Flirtatious Surprises (anon on tumblr) [I wonder if I could please request a DS9 Garak x reader imagine where the normally quiet plus-size reader flirts with Garak in front of everyone and leaves him flustered but in the end he just kisses her and everyone cheers?]

Data – Panic Attack (Area_C-137 on wattpad) [Maybe you could write one we’re the reader is in a relationship with data and he see the reader having a panic attack and then they cuddle to make the reader feel happy]

Data – First Date Part 2 of First Meetings (ElfWarriorQueen on wattpad) [Maybe them going on their date and there could be some kind of unfortunate accident that draws them closer together; like drinks get spilled over the reader, or maybe there’s a malfunction in the elevator and they’re stuck for a while.]

Trip Tucker – Tension (adela-topaz-caelon on tumblr) [Can I request a vaguley smutty Trip Tucker x Reader, where they're on a mission together in a shuttle, there's some repartee between the two, who aren't yet dating - and comments start leading to others and so on and forth and such, and then there's a time skip to them going back to the station, and whilst they did get the work done, other's can tell by marks on the Reader's neck that something has happened.]

Christopher Pike – Parents (anon on tumblr) [I had a realization thats night if you can do Disco Pike becoming for dad I'll love you forever]

Wesley Crusher – Comfort (anon on tumblr) [could I request something fluffy where Wesley does his best to comfort the reader after her now ex-boyfriend break ups with her b/c of lack of sexual intimacy and the reader avoids Wesley cause she feels she's not smart enough or pretty enough for him]

Leonard “Bones” McCoy – Dance Practice (jesterofsorts on wattpad) [I was wondering if you could do a Star Trek imagine about AOS Bones? Maybe if he teaches the reader to dance because they don't know how and they fall in love with each other?]

Garak – Rescue Party (kate_the_dork on wattpad) [I was wondering if you could do a Garak x reader where the reader is taken by the Dominion and is interrogated for info about ds9 but she won't give it up cuz she's too cool for that lmao. And then, cuz I'm a cliche and fluffy gal, Garak comes to save her?]

Garak – “Sew, you like me?” (Indirect_Detective on wattpad) [Could you do a Garak x reader? Him coming to terms with loving the reader and finally trying to admit is but doctor Bashir keeps cutting in and ruining the moment. Garak finally gets the reader alone and compliments the reader(looks and personality) as he's hemming readers uniform before opening up to the reader?]

Malcolm Reed – “Talk to me, please.” (chevyp15 on wattpad) [Malcolm Reed x reader where reader seems off and when Mal confronts them they break down and confess all their worries about the relationship?]

Deanna x Will - Pregnant (anon on tumblr) [Can I ask you for something fluffy between Deanna Troi x William Riker where set during an official Starfleet ball and they announced that Deanna is expecting a baby again, but Deanna feels uncertain after the death of their son Ian Troi and Riker comforts her, which leads to a bit of passionate kisses please.]

Garak - Presents (anon on tumblr) [Ah I request an imagine for garak. Like he’s at his shop and his so comes in with something from cardassia for him and he has no idea how his so got it for him and she refuses to say. But he’s super happy about it because it’s something he’s missed for so long. And just fluff ensues?]

Pavel Chekov – Set Up (anon on tumblr) [Can I get an imagine with Chekov please? Fem!Reader works in engineering and is like a daughter figure to Scotty. When Chekov starts shadowing Scotty, he meets the reader and a friendship quickly forms because they are both adorable dorks. Scotty notices that their friendship could become something more with a nudge in the right direction. Soon the Scotsman has get both the reader and Chekov together. Just something super silly and fluffy!!] 

Kathryn Janeway – Protection (anon on tumblr) [Hiiiiiiii could I have a Janeway x reader fic where she steps in front of you to protect you and uses her arm to shield you and is super gentle with you and everything? Can be romantic or platonic whatever works best for this!]

Spock x Uhura – Wedding Bells (anon on tumblr) [Can I ask you for something fluffy between Spock and Uhura where they get married on planet Vulcan with all their friends and family around them?]

Being Pavel Chekov’s Betazoid Wife Would Include… (dancingwith-thesunflowers on tumblr) [Could you write some headcanons about Chekov and female betazoid-human hybrid!reader getting married and having children please?]

Dating T’Pol Would Include… (anon on tumblr)

Will Riker – Pregnant (borzanimariana on wattpad) [Write with command riker and reader are married and she's pregnant, please]

Having Worf as a Father Figure Would Include… (anon on tumblr) [Being a security office and having Worf as a father figure (cause y/n is one of the youngest in the crew)]

Being Married To Jean-Luc Picard Would Include… (spaceyslytherin on tumblr) [Request: Being married to Jean-Luc Picard would include.]

Malcolm Reed – Nightmares (wraith-queen-todd on tumblr) [Heyyyyy ep so can I request a Malcolm reed imagine where he comforts his so after thy have a nightmare about him dying-? If that’s ok. I never really request before haha sorry I’m so awkward]

Scotty x Jayla – Graduation (anon on tumblr) [Can you please write an oneshot with Scotty + Jaylah where Scotty is at Jaylah’s graduation from Star Fleet Academy and Jaylah admits to Scotty that she is proud that Scotty is the first person she considers “a friend”?]

Data x Geordi – Domestic Life (anon on tumblr) [Hey! If you could. Would you be able to write an one shot please with some Data + Geordi fluff where in an AU, Lal (Data’s daughter) is a small child and both Data + Geordi married and are looking after her and they’re playing and having fun with Spot the cat, as he causes mischief.]

Trip Tucker – “You’re hot when you’re jealous.” (anon on tumblr) [Hello I’m the smut asked about trip. As for the thing I was wondering if it could be like trip for jealous of someone flirting with his so and she reassured him that she only has eyes for him? If that’s ok?]

B’Elanna x Tom – PDA (anon on tumblr) [If it’s okay. Would you write an oneshot between Br’Elanna & Tom Paris where they are arguing about things, but in the end, they have a romantic moment, which is seen by the rest of the crew, without them realising. Please? Thank you in advance!]

Michael x Ash – Nightmares (anon on tumblr) [Hello, I love your writing!! 🥰 Could I request an oneshot with Michael comforting Ash after having a panic attack during his PTSD please? ✨ Thanks!]

Leonard “Bones” McCoy – Study Date (SloveniaReader95 on wattpad) [I was thinking... maybe with Bones where he is a year or two ahead at the Academy and for the first exam, the reader is already giving up, but Bones is there not letting her do it or something:)]

Malcolm Reed – Destressing (anon on tumblr) [Can you do a Malcolm reed smut if that is alright? Maybe Malcolm comes back to their room after a shift stressed and his so tries to calm him down a bit and it turns into smut?]

Kathryn Janeway Being Your Mother Would Include… (anon on tumblr) [Could you write some headcanons about Janeway being the reader’s mother, please? Thanks so much! I love your beautiful writing!!]

Julian Bashir – “Surprise!” (anon on tumblr) [DS9 request: The reader's belly has popped. So have her buttons. It's time to tell Julian the two of them are going to have a baby.]

Will Riker – “I love you.” (catherinedm on tumblr) [Hi(: I love your blog your writings are amazing. Could you maybe please do something about Will Riker telling you(the reader insert) his fellow enterprise officer he’s been datuing for a while that he loves you for the first time? Thank you so much!! Keep up the great work]

Sylvia Tilly x Michael Burnham – More Than Friends (anon on tumblr) [Can you please write an oneshot where Sylvia Tilly helps Michael, when she finds out that she has never been on a proper human date, she decides to play matchmaker for Michael, not realising that her friendship with her new roommate could lead to more..]

Trip Tucker x T’Pol – Family (anon on tumblr) [Would you be okay to write an oneshot based on Trip and T'Pol, where they have been living on Vulcan with their daughter Elizabeth for a few months, and they're hoping that sooner rather then later that they’ll have another baby? Thank you so much! I love your beautiful writing for the Star Trek fandom!!]

Ezri Dax x Julian Bashir – Moving In (anon on tumblr) [If it is okay with you please?. Can you write an oneshot where Ezri and Julian attempt to build a life together, no matter what odds they may face. Thank you so much!]

Kira Nerys – Socially Awkward (anon on tumblr) [Can I request something for Kira Nerys with a female reader who's very opinionated/clever but socially awkward/a little overly cautious? Maybe a civilian of some kind, but that's not 100% necessary.]

Worf x Jazdia Dax – “Marry me.” (anon on tumblr) [I know requests are closed, but I am sorry and I do apologise for not being more specific about the Worf and Jadzia oneshot request. Would it be okay if it was something like it was last night for the Defiant, maybe set on Gaia ("Children of Time") and Worf surprises Jadzia by asking her to marry him. Hope that makes more sense! I’d be willing to send it again, if it doesn’t. Thank you very much!! I love your writing by the way!]

Will Riker – Home Safe (tngbabe on tumblr) [I'd like a will riker and reader. I'd love to have him take me home from a party because I'm drunk and wants me to get to my quarters safely and then stays.]

Comforting Kathryn Janeway Would Include… (geekyamorel on wattpad) [I was wondering if you wouldn't mind doing a KathrynXReader. Maybe something like Janeway is having a bad day and the reader tries their best to help calm her and maybe ends up making a fool of themselves just to make her smile and laugh]

[kinetic-elaboration]

July 30: 1x08 Miri

Today’s TOS episode: Miri. This was one of the first eps I ever saw. It’s definitely a classic but upon rewatching, I am left with many questions. (And given current events, much unease....)

Another Earth! What!!! How strange! I’m sure everyone actually recognized it by just looking out the window, but I like the implication that they recognized Earth’s measurements when Spock listed them off.

Uhura and Sulu have the day off I see.

They seem to be landing somewhere in Western Canada?

McCoy’s hatred for 60s architecture lol.

How convenient that it looks like 1960s Earth.

Spock’s reaction to the tricycle is so hilarious to me. “What do I do with this... this TOY??” And McCoy is so careful with it, so gentle.

Don’t even say the word ‘plague’ around me.

Kirk legit doesn’t know how to interact with people without being charming. Like I’m sure he doesn’t approach Miri intending to flirt with her; she’s a child. But his aura is just so naturally flirty, that’s how it comes off. (And then of course when he sees it can be used tactically, he turns it up.) This is where the womanizer trope comes from but imo it is quite obviously just How He Is, and I really think he thinks it’s just like Platonic Charm.

Spock hearing the taunting children: has flashbacks to Vulcan

Oh those scurrying children.

“That’s a bad place.” Mm, underrated line. Of course the children would see the epicenter of the plague as cursed.

Jim enforces social distancing rules by not letting anyone else leave the ship.

I love seeing snarky Spock.

Life prolongation... honestly forgot that’s the background of this ep lol. That’s so disturbing.

Calling McCoy old lol Excuse YOU.

“She likes you, Jim.” And Kirk just being oblivious.

Spock trying to figure out where babies come from.

Jim, flirting with an older woman lol.

Spock really hates Yeoman Rand huh? His jealousy is so obvious; tone it down, Sir. “Almost 300 years older than you, Yeoman. Think about it.”

Those little tasks Jim gives Miri oml. She’s so heart eyed over him, but it’s so... like she’s looking for a father, too. That’s the other thing he’s playing off.

“And I do want to go back to the ship, Captain.” I have seen this scene so many times and I STILL don’t get how this exchange can seem so sexual? There is literally nothing in these words that requires the amount of flirt-voice and long, intense stares they’re giving here. Both of them, but Spock starts it, and I’m just like??? You don’t need to be this way but you are.

Wow, who would have ever thought creating a chain reaction of viruses would go so badly!

“Is that all Captain? We do have five days, you know.”

Come on guys, never leave your cell phones sitting out unattended! Amateur hour here.

They certainly had a ton of food on this planet, if they’re only now running out after 300 years!

Janice, taking the short cut to getting Kirk to look at her legs. By just telling him to look at her legs.

His attempt at comforting her lol--pat pat pat.

Spock brings out the first name again. “Jim.”

It could be a beaker full of death!

Everything about this virus story is so much scarier now.

“You’re being a very bad citizen.” I’m so curious what this society was like when it was... an actual society. They keep playing make believe games, like kids do when they practice becoming adults, but what were the adults like?

NO BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Those uniform shirts sure do tear easily.

Good Spones content here. Headcanon that Spock was communicating telepathically with McCoy and that’s why he’s holding his hands for so long. He’s just so careful, how he arranges them, and then he just holds them.

“I never will understand the medical mind.”

They’ll have to send truant officers lol.

Jim’s such a liar--you know he’s definitely gotten involved with older women.

Also the way he diffuses any awkward moment with Rand and then starts talking to Spock again. “Older women, no; older men, older aliens... I’m open to it.”

So I have a lot of questions now.

First, what happened to the rest of the planet? It’s the same size as Earth and with Earth-like conditions so one assumes it could support an Earth-sized population. Did everyone, adults and children, die everywhere else but this one city? Did the virus not travel world wide, and the rest of the planet is fine? (In which case...they’re just not gonna help out at all, I guess? Was Miri’s town quarantined? Did everyone just choose to pretend they don’t exist?) Are there other enclaves of children, without adults, all over the place? And in 300 years, they haven’t found each other at all? Did the other locations die out completely for lack of resources, like food?

And if so, (or even if not) why does Miri’s town have so much food? Mom suggested that the scientists there were doing other genetic modification projects, and that’s how they ended up with so much food that doesn’t spoil, and that this led them into other experiments manipulating life span, growth, etc. This would explain why the Enterprise just happens to beam down to the origin point of the virus, too. Only the epicenter survived, because of other experiments conducted by the same people.

On a related note to the worldwide spread question--their technology is really weird. Everything’s basically 1960s--the microscope, the lack of computers, or phones, the handwritten files--but they have a very good radio, still sending an automated sos after 300 years, plus of course the virus experiments themselves. So what’s their travel tech like? Even if it’s on par with the 60s though, global travel was fairly easy then, just like now (uh airplanes) and this virus is obviously VERY contagious. I think we understand pretty well how fast contagious viruses can get literally everywhere. I can’t believe this one didn’t spread to other parts of the globe.

On a related note to the food experiments, perhaps they were inspired to experiment with prolonging life because they were doing so well--if not on a global scale, at least a community scale. They had all this food, they weren’t fighting scarcity... why not live longer and enjoy that longer?

My next question is if the children will age normally now that they’ve been given the cure. My mom pointed out that in fact, we don’t know what there old life span was, even.

I kind of wish they hadn’t made this an alternate Earth situation because I don’t really see how that adds to the story. It sets you up to think you’ll be hearing about how an alternate Earth exists but you never do. It seems to be included as an excuse to use the Mayberry sets and avoid coming up with alien technology and costumes and such. But it brings up so many other questions that are unanswered, including but not limited to, how human are these aliens?

My mom also pointed out that ‘alternate Earth’ allows McCoy to use the old notes to create the cure, which then works on both the humans and, it’s implied, Miri and her people. But that seems like a big assumption!

Another thing about this ep is the vocabulary. Like first that was not a vaccine, it’s a cure--there still is no vaccine and that disease is still out there. They also mention that Miri and the older kids are “contracting” the disease at puberty--they’re not. I think they’ve had it the whole time and it only becomes active at puberty. Either that, or the virus has a SUPER long lifespan on surfaces, such that it’s still out there and transmittable after 300 years.

Also, I don't think it's weird that Miri didn't realize she'd get it and die. If the scientists were successful, she's literally only aged 3 months in all the time since the grownups died. She's been her current age for so much longer than any previous age, she's basically been--idk like 14??--her whole life. She doesn't perceive aging as a thing. None of them do. It's actually more surprising to me that so many of them are on the cusp of getting the disease and that McCoy is able to calculate so specifically when she's likely to die.

Anyway, that is a lot! Dagger of the Mind is next, which I like... decently remember?

[grandtheftstarship]

Our Little Broken Family (Spock x Fem!Reader)

Summary: [y/n] finds a small Vulcan boy in the wreckage of a Vulcan science vessel. Spock decides to help her take care of him.

Word Count: 2038 Posted: Tumblr, Wattpad Warnings: none that I know of :) Requested: On Wattpad

You sighed.

He's so perfect.

"[y/n]!" Uhura snapped her fingers in front of your face. "Enterprise to [y/n]."

"Sorry," you shook your head, lifting your chin off your hand.

"Girl, you are in too deep," she smirked. "We've only been on this ship for a few days and you are already smitten. What's up with you?"

"Oh, it goes way back," you muttered, twirling the spoon in your tea. "Since the academy, really."

"Oh man," she leaned back, laughter lacing her words. "You really are hitting rock bottom, eh?"

"Yeah," you let out another long sigh, returning your longing stare at the Vulcan across the room. "The bottom of the ocean."

Before you could become lost in thought, your and Uhura's communicators beeped.

"I'm needed in the transporter room," you stood up suddenly.

"And I'm needed on the bridge," she said. You noticed Spock stand up and walk over to you.

"Lieutenant, we are needed on the bridge," he said to Uhura before turning to you. "Good luck, Commander."

"You too," you told him, turning away abruptly and hurrying towards the transporter room. Your team and the captain were waiting for you there and he handed you a phaser.

"There's a disabled vessel on the surface of this planet," Jim explained. "We need you guys to get down there and retrieve any survivors."

"Aye aye, sir," you nodded, leading your team onto the pad. "Energize."

The gold beams spun around you and the next thing you knew you were on the planet's surface near the smoking vessel. You team followed you in a tight single-file line as you led them over the rough rock features, stopping once you held up a fist at the door of the ship.

"Edison, help me for a sec," you motioned to the ensign behind you. You gave him instructions as you pulled out your phaser, setting it to high power and started cutting into the metal hull. About five minutes later, you both had outlined a small hole in the wall. You held out an arm to push your team back a bit before slamming your shoulder into the impression which led to surprised yells from your officers. The impact from ramming into the metal surface and then on the floor of the vessel hurt, leaving some ripped skin and a large bruise. You waved off the concern of the redshirts around you, standing up and clicking on a flashlight.

You gasped in surprise.

"[y/l/n] to Enterprise," you spoke quietly into your communicator.

"Yes, commander what is it?" he responded.

"Captain, this ship appears to be of Vulcan origin," you said, ghosting your fingers over the broken control panels. Distorted murmurs came from your communicator and you knew Jim was talking with Spock.

"[y/n], that's impossible," you heard Spock say. "All Vulcan science vessels were destroyed along with the planet."

"I am aware of that," you replied, attempting to read the Vulcan writing on the flickering screen. "But the language seems to be Vulcan, along with the advanced technology there seems to be-"

You were cut off by a small cry sounding from within the ship.

"Enterprise, stand by," you whispered, hearing the protests of the bridge crew before you shut your communicator and motioned for your team to stay where they were.

You crept down the hall, following the whimpers. You entered through a broken door, barely making it through before a small form tackled you to the ground. You gasped in surprise, but relaxed when you were met by a small Vulcan boy, no more than the age of seven, sobbing into your uniform.

"Shhh," you cooed, rubbing his back softly. "Its alright sweetie. You're okay."

When he stopped crying and started sniffling, you pushed him slightly off your chest.

"What's your name, honey?" you asked softly, pushing his rustled hair our of his puffy eyes.

"T'Kian," he whimpered, rubbing at his eyes.

"Okay, T'Kian," you kept rubbing his back, trying to get him to calm down. "I'm going to take you back to my ship and introduce you to my captain, okay?"

He clung to your neck, forcing you to hold him as you walked back towards your team. They gave you questioning looks, but none of them spoke as you led them back over the rocky terrain to the place you would beam out.

"[y/n] to Enterprise. Nine to beam up," you closed your communicator and set T'Kian down, allowing him to grip your hand tightly. Once you materialized back on the ship, Jim, Bones, and Spock were all waiting for you.

"Captain," you said, leading the small boy down the steps. "This is T'Kian."

Seconds after the small introduction a team of nurses had tried to take T'Kian away from you, but he immediately started bawling. His cries turned to shrieks and he was thrashing around in their arms, trying desperately to be back in yours.

That led you to the present time, precisely three am. You were rocking the small Vulcan on your couch, attempting to get him to sleep so you could rest as well. You weren't expecting him to attach to you so quickly and you weren't sure how to even care for a seven-year-old emotional Vulcan who didn't know how to behave for his age. 

As the hours turned into days and the days turned into weeks, you found yourself becoming fond of him too. The only problem was that you weren't sure you were raising him to his full Vulcan potential.

"Spock?" you called. He turned around, eyebrow raised in the incredibly annoyingly sexy way. "I need your help."

From then on, Spock was almost always by your side, teaching T'Kian about the Vulcan culture that was lost and even giving him the harsh news about his planet. You started teaching him basic knowledge of the universe, and when he was finally comfortable being without you for a few hours Spock put him through the same simulations he did as a child.

The captain was completely understanding, allowing you to take as much time as you needed to take care of the small Vulcan. About a month and a half after Spock started assisting you, he corned you in the hallway.

"[y/n]," he began. "After spending numerous hours with you and the child, I believe it would be an appropriate time to confess."

You stared at him, heat rising to your cheeks, afraid of what he was going to say.

Does he hate my guts? Does he never want to talk to me again? Am I THAT annoying that he-

"I believe I am in love with you, [y/n]," he finished and for the first time (you believed ever), he looked uncertain of his words.

You smiled, leaning forward and placing a quick kiss on his lips. "Good."

He stared at you in disbelief, before allowing a small grin to form on his lips.

"Since you're always in my quarters anyways... would you like to move in? I'm sure T'Kian wouldn't mind," you said shyly.

"That would seem wise," Spock mused, looking down at you tenderly.

You had never thought, let alone guessed, that Spock slept shirtless. Yet, here he was, standing before you with nothing on but sweatpants.

"Is this... unpreferable?" he asked you, a green tint glowing on his ears.

"N-no! It's fine," you added, embarrassed. You changed into your usual [favorite sleepwear], and slid into bed next to Spock. It was beyond nice, snuggling into his side and knowing you had a good night's rest ahead of you.

A few hours later, the door to your bedroom opened and the soft pitter-patter of bare feet echoed a little against the walls. You were wrapped tightly in Spock's arms, fast asleep until a small form wriggled itself between you both. Spock stirred slightly, yawning, and made room for T’Kian to wiggle in. Once he had made himself comfortable, Spock threw his arms loosely around your back. You rested your hand on his side, holding T'Kian in a firm embrace with the other. Before you drifted back into the darkness, you heard a whisper.

"G'night Mommy and Daddy."

Your eyes opened, meeting Spock's. Your faces were surprisingly close, despite the little Vulcan between you. A smile grew on his face, causing one to blossom on yours as well.

"Night, Pops," you yawned, shutting your eyes, a smile still gracing your lips. You felt him hum a laugh slightly. Before you drifted off a second time, Spock had captured your hand in a Vulcan kiss. Your face heated up, but you smiled wider nonetheless.

Waking up in Spock's arms was just as amazing as you thought it was going to be. Waking up in Spock's arms with T'Kian snuggled into your chest was even better.

T'Kian started having intense nightmares about the destruction of his planet and the death of his mother, causing him to come sniffling into your and Spock's room. When you woke up in the morning, Spock would take your hand in a Vulcan kiss since he was not comfortable kissing you in front of the newest member of your family.

On the few mornings he didn't have night terrors and slept soundly in his room, Spock woke you with a regular human kiss. You loved it when T'Kian snuck into your cozy covers, but some alone time with your boyfriend was always a blessing.

Frisky business was done in Spock's private quarters every so often since you didn't want the innocent boy to walk in on you.

Four years later, the five-year mission had come to an end. You and Spock had bought a small house in San Fransisco where you were able to raise T'Kian in a proper setting. You had enrolled him in a local school for Vulcans, where he found his newfound love for science just like Spock.

Throughout the year that you and your little family were on Earth, you and Spock got married and successfully adopted T'Kian. Spock was beyond thrilled to have a true son and spent endless hours telling him stories of his people.

Your parents even moved to San Fran, helping you take care of your new son and be the grandparents they always wanted to be.

You were so happy.

Until you got the call.

You were excited, to say the least, about the new mission you were going on. It was only three years this time, shorter than the last one, but still, a long time to be away from your family. You pleaded with the admiral to let you bring T'Kian along, but he refused, claiming it to be much too dangerous for an untrained, eleven-year-old Vulcan boy to be going on a deep space mission.

You knew you had to go. This was your dream job, you were needed, and you had to leave your son in your parent's capable arms. You contemplated staying, but you knew that Spock would try and stay with you and you couldn't let him do that. He was the first officer, and he was needed.

T'Kian took the news surprisingly well. He was practicing his control over his emotions, even though he held on to your neck and shed a few tears.

"I love you T.K," you murmured, using the little nickname you had for him. "I always will, and don't you forget it."

He nodded, wiping the tears out of his eyes. "I love you too, Mommy.”

You let Spock have a moment with him, carrying your bags onto the shuttle. 

Spock followed you in, allowing you to wave at your son and your parents one final time.

Spock let you cry on his shoulder for the whole shuttle ride. He tried to hide his own tears as well. You looked up at your husband, who returned your gaze, sympathy, hurt, and love pouring from his eyes.

Oh, how you loved your little-broken family.

[misscrazyfangirl321]

Winter Whumperland Fic

Hello, @ouchthatwasgood ! I was your whumpy Secret Santa! I’m really sorry about the delay on this story. As promised, the explanation, which you are free to skip if you like:

When I first discovered the whump community, I was ecstatic. It seemed like an amazing community, and don’t get me wrong: It is. But I dove in headfirst, signing up for the whump exchange relatively quickly. Then, I began to realize a few things: 

1. I strongly prefer emotional whump to physical whump. In fact, I basically only enjoy physical whump inasmuch as it causes emotional whump. 

2. I much prefer reading whump to writing it. On the best of days, I don’t have the heart to write the intensely painful physical whump. On the worst of days, I don’t have the stomach for it. Reading it is different, but writing it, for some reason, is difficult and draining. 

These things said, I have written something, but it focuses strongly on the emotional aspects of whump. I’m afraid the physical whump in minimal, because I tried several times, but hated each attempt I made more than the last. Finally, I decided to write something I liked, and hope that you liked it too. I probably should have asked for a pinch-hitter, but I have an unfortunate stubborn streak. I hope you enjoy this, even if it wasn’t exactly what you were expecting. 

Now, with all that out of the way, let’s get to the fic!

Title: Worry Is Illogical

Rating: G

Genre: Hurt/comfort, Friendship, Family

Summary: In which Spock is injured, but his family is there, and sometimes, it’s okay to be illogical. 

Disclaimer: Not mine. Even the Vulcan words came from a Vulcan language website. 

Story under the cut.

---

Any of them would have done it.

They all would have made the same choice, without hesitation.

That was the kind of loyalty found aboard the Enterprise: relentless, unquestionable, even unto death if need be.

Maybe the loyalty was spread throughout Starfleet, but in all his life, Leonard McCoy had never seen it as fierce as it was aboard Captain Kirk’s ship. It wasn’t hard to understand why, either; as he’d once heard Spock say, Kirk was the kind of man to stand between a dragon and a child with nothing but a pointed stick, and yell until the dragon went away. Thankfully, he did have a fair amount of luck, (something Spock would never admit,) because otherwise, he would have been dead a hundred times over.

His luck was bound to run out sometime, and Leonard was sure that everyone aboard the Enterprise knew it. He also knew he wasn’t the only one willing to step in when the day came. Almost anyone onboard the ship would have taken a hit for Kirk without question.

But it wasn’t supposed to be Spock.

He could practically hear the Vulcan in his mind, calling his emotions “illogical… As the one who spends the most time with the Captain, I was significantly more likely to be in this situation.”

Thing was, he wasn’t here, so he didn’t get to call Leonard “illogical.” Stupid as it seemed, he would have given anything to hear that judgmental tone about then.

It was pure human luck that Spock was still alive, because if the bullet had been an inch to the right, it would have pierced his heart. A wound that would have been unpleasant, but barely threatening, for anyone else, could have killed Spock instantly, and he still wasn’t out of the woods. If surgery went poorly…. Leonard wasn’t too proud to admit that the thought terrified him.

A bullet, of all things. Not a beam from a phaser, but an old-fashioned bullet, fired from a handgun. Where the aliens had even gotten it, he wasn’t sure. Not that it mattered, but it was something to keep his mind occupied. The Favolian healers hand insisted on treating Spock, refusing to let Leonard into the room, and Kirk didn’t exactly have a choice. In the interest of maintaining peaceful relations and securing a treaty, he agreed.

The would-be assassin had yet to turn up, and they had several crew members out looking for him, but Kirk stayed, along with Leonard. For them, there was no other choice. Lieutenant Uhura was on her way, along with Christine Chapel. Kirk had insisted it wasn’t necessary, but Uhura had firmly insisted that it was. Not many people defied Kirk and won, but the Lieutenant held a stubborn fire unlike any he’d ever seen. They’d agreed to beam down outside of the hospital, at the request of the beings on the planet, but they’d be there soon. Not much time for him to do something, if he wanted.

“How are you holding up, Jim?” It was a ridiculous question. For the fifth time in as many minutes, the captain paced the room, hands clasped tightly together. His eyes were dark and weary, as if he hadn’t slept in days. If Leonard looked closely, he could even see a red rim to them, but out of courtesy, he didn’t look. He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t shed a tear or two himself.

Jim laughed, empty and humorless, and shrugged. “How do you think?”

He knew Kirk wouldn’t believe him, but he needed to say it anyway. “You can’t blame yourself, Jim.” At the dismissive look that received, he added, “You can’t! Are you telling me you wouldn’t have done the same thing for him?”

Kirk didn’t answer, but he didn’t need to. Of course he would have taken a bullet for Spock. Without hesitation. Just like Leonard would have. But that’s not what happened. “He wouldn’t want you to blame yourself.”

He realized the error of the words seconds too late, but by Kirk’s grimace, it was definitely an error. “Already speaking of him in past tense, doctor? Is it that bad?”

The thing was, it wasn’t. It shouldn’t have been. If they could have taken him back to the Enterprise, this kind of injury wouldn’t have even been on Leonard’s radar. There was no question he could treat it. But the Fovalians… He hadn’t been able to get a good look at their facilities, their equipment, or their medications. He had no way of knowing what they were capable of, or if they could save Spock. “Jim, I….”

“How is he?” The familiar voice of Christine Chapel broke in, and the moment was over. Kirk’s Captain Façade fell on like a second skin, and Leonard tried to match it. Christine and Uhura were frantic, scanning the room as if they expected to see Spock lying in the corner somewhere.

“We don’t know yet,” Kirk answered, voice deceptively calm, “but the Favolians are doing everything they can for him.”

Chapel scowled. “Why aren’t we doing everything we can do for him? He would be fine if we could just-“

“Nurse.” Kirk cut in, a hint of warning in his tone, and the younger woman pressed her lips together tightly, fire in her eyes.

“I’m with you, Chris,” Leonard admitted quietly, “but we’ve gotta follow the chain of command. Spock knew the risks, but he made his choice, and Starfleet wants this treaty to go through.”

Unlike Kirk, the women made no effort to hide the fact that they had been crying, although Uhura was surprisingly calm at the moment. Chapel, on the other hand, still had tears trickling down her cheeks. He moved instinctively, wrapping his arms around her, and she buried her face in his shoulder. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Kirk following suit with Uhura, though she didn’t linger as long as Christine did.

“Have we heard anything?” The lieutenant asked, wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eye.

Just as Leonard was about to reply with a negative, the door to the small room opened once more, and a Favolian walked in. “Your friend will live,” he announced, and even Kirk didn’t resist a sigh of relief, “but he needs rest. You may go and see him, but be quiet. He is asleep.”

“Lead the way, doctor,” Kirk ordered-not requested, but ordered, in his firmest captain tone-and the doctor nodded.

“Follow me.” They filed out of the room, down a narrow hallway, into a room that closely resembled the sickbay of the ship. Comforting, Leonard mused. They seemed to be somewhat modern, in any case. Maybe they knew what they were doing after all. Of course they did. They were an advanced society. To think otherwise would be... Illogical. Shut up, Spock, he thought, and he could have sworn he heard a smug I’m not actually speaking, doctor, in response.

There were four chairs scattered around the room, and they each grabbed one, pulling it up to Spock’s bedside. Kirk took the one closest to Spock’s left side, Christine took the mirroring one on the right, and Uhura and Leonard took up the seats by his feet.

With a final warning to stay quiet, the doctor slipped out, giving them much-needed privacy.

For a long moment, they all sat in silence, taking in Spock’s sleeping form. He was pale, even more than usual, but otherwise, he looked none the worse for wear. Leonard suspected that he would have his fair share of pain when he woke, but for the moment, he looked almost peaceful.

Christine reached out toward the sleeping Vulcan, but hesitated, hand hovering in the air. Spock was firm about his personal space, but Leonard wouldn’t have faulted her for ignoring that, just the once. A little physical reassurance that Spock was still alive? He wouldn’t mind that himself. In the end, she lowered her hand, not onto his, but onto the bed right beside him. Close enough to touch, but not quite doing so. She glanced around the room, half defiant, as if she expected judgment, but when she found none, she relaxed.  

“Surely, you all have far more productive things you could be doing,” a familiar voice cut in. They all turned in unison, and stifled chuckles filled the room. Spock was staring back at them, mildly curious but otherwise unbothered. “What are you all doing here?”

“We were worried about you, you ridiculous Vulcan!” Chapel snapped, and he turned his head toward her. His eyes lingered on her hand, so close to his, but only raised his eyebrow, not bothering to move away.

“Worry is illogical, Miss Chapel. It does not aid the healing process.”

She stared back, mouth agape, struggling to come up with some sort of retort. Kirk cleared his throat, answering for all of them. “Yes, well, humans are illogical, Spock. You know this. And when someone we care about is in danger, we worry.”

“I’ve noticed that, Captain,” the Vulcan agreed, turning his attention to Kirk, “and I cannot understand it.”

A snort escaped before Leonard could stop it, and suddenly, all eyes were on him. He thought about making an excuse, brushing it off as nerves or such, but there was a definite challenge in Spock’s eyes, and Leonard was never one to back down from a challenge. “Are you saying you weren’t worried when you saw Kirk in the line of fire?”

“I wasn’t.” If Leonard didn’t know better, he’d say Spock sounded indignant. And frankly? He didn’t know better. “I took the necessary actions the situation called for. Worry was not a factor in my actions.”

“About that,” Kirk cut in, tone deceptively light, “we’ve talked about this, Spock. Next time, call out.” It came off as teasing, probably because they had an audience, but Leonard heard the quiet reprimand beneath. Clearly, so did Spock; his closed his eyes briefly, and nodded.

“Apologies, Captain. In the heat of the moment, it slipped my mind.”

A better man would have let it slide without comment. Leonard had never claimed to be a better man. “What went wrong, Spock? Were you too worried?”

The look he received would read impassive to those who didn’t know the Vulcan. Those in the room saw the withering glare. “Of course not, Doctor McCoy. That would have been-“

“Illogical. Right.”

“Precisely.”

Good-natured chuckles filled the room, and Leonard hesitated, studying Spock. At some point, his hand had slipped down to rest on his injury, and his eyes were a touch too strained for Leonard’s liking. Subtle things, but coming from Spock, concerning. “You’re in pain,” he announced, and humor fled the room instantly.

“I did just get shot, Doctor,” Spock pointed out dryly, but Leonard refused to rise to the bait.

“You’re hurting, Spock! If we could get you back to the ship-“

“You’d give me some concoction to dull my pain and turn my stomach, I have no doubt. But I presume there is a reason I have not been taken to the ship.”

Kirk nodded. “The treaty,” he confirmed softly, but his attention was fixed on Leonard. “Do we need to take him back, McCoy?”

All he had to do was say the word, and Kirk would do it. At this point, he’d throw away the treaty in a heartbeat if Spock was anything less than okay. A part of Leonard just wanted to give in, to make the call and get Spock back to safety, but the professional part of him stilled the urge. “Spock, where’s your pain, on a scale of one to ten?”

If Vulcans sighed, Spock definitely did. (And if they didn’t, he must have been feeling exceptionally human.) “This is unnecessary. I am perfectly fine.”

Unimpressed, Leonard stared back. “You’re in a hospital bed; you’re far from fine. But that’s not what I asked.”

“Answer the man, Spock,” Kirk ordered, leaving no room for argument in his tone. Spock opened his mouth to reply, but Chapel grazed his arm with her fingertips, catching his attention.

“And remember,” She pointed out, “lying is illogical.” Immediately, she drew her hand back, not maintaining the contact. Whether it bothered Spock that she’d done it at all, it was difficult to say.

“So it is. I would rate my pain at approximately a three. I may be experiencing some discomfort, but it is manageable.”

Doubled for stubbornness, so at least a six, Leonard decided, weighing their options. As much as he wanted to do everything in his power to help this man-against all odds, his friend-the treaty was too important to risk. If Spock was managing the pain, waiting was probably their best bet, as much as he hated it. “He’ll be okay, Jim. But if the pain gets worse, he’ll tell us. Right?” The last part was directed quite pointedly at Spock, who gave a perfect imitation of innocence.

“Naturally.”

Kirk seemed unconvinced, but made no move to argue. Instead, he pulled his chair closer to the bed, and the others followed suit. “Alright, but we’re staying here. Scotty can handle diplomacy; we’re needed here.”

“You are not needed here,” Spock insisted, but at the stubborn expressions of his friends, surrendered. “However, your presence is appreciated.” His lips curved up at the edges, in what could almost pass for a smile. The reaction was instantaneous: Kirk’s, Chapel’s, and Uhura’s faces lit up, and Leonard reluctantly admitted to himself that his probably did the same.

Clearing his throat, trying to clear away the turmoil of the day at the same time, he found his stern doctor voice, and scolded, “Aren’t you supposed to be asleep, mister?”

“If I were tired, I would sleep.” Just like a little kid, too stubborn to admit he was exhausted. Maybe Kirk should read him a bedtime story, he mused. The mental picture was enough to startle a laugh from him, and he waved off the curious expressions of the others.

Although, maybe he was onto something. A bedtime story might not work, but even Spock caved to a good lullaby. “Lieutenant Uhura, are you up for singing something?”

She had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the visit, and Leonard wondered briefly if that was the only way she’d kept her composure so well. Still, she smiled at him, knowingly enough that he was sure she got his idea, and nodded. “Of course. Just a moment.” She hummed to herself, getting a tune into her mind, and drew in a breath. “Pen-nil-bek,” she began. “Qual se tu?” As always, her voice was rich and full of emotion, enough to awe even the coldest heart. It took him a moment to register that the words weren’t in English.

Spock blinked once, almost a non-reaction from anyone else, but from him, it was enough to confirm the theory taking shape in the back of Leonard’s mind: she was singing in Vulcan. He may not have been able to understand the words, but the slow, steady pattern made it clear; their resident musician was singing a Vulcan lullaby.

If anyone else tried that, they’d get scolded for being ‘illogical,’ Leonard mused, a half-smile tugging at his lips. But then, no one else could sing quite like Lieutenant Uhura.

“Pen-nil-bek… Qual se tu?”

Chapel leaned back in her seat, her eyes drifting shut. Leonard scanned the room for a spare blanket, but found none, so he slid his jacket off, laying it over her. She opened one eye, smiled at him, and drew it tighter around her.

“Bola utu shom….”

It was getting to him, too. He felt the call of sleep, the call to rest after an exhausting day. He resisted, forcing his eyes open. Until Spock fell asleep, there’s no way he would. No way at all…

“Bolau tu shom….”

But he never heard that, because he’d already given in to sleep.

-

A/N: Pen-nil-bek: Just a moment.

Qual se tu: Is it you?

Bola utu shom: You need to rest.

The best start to a lullaby I could think of in the middle of the night, honestly. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this, even if it wasn’t exactly what you were expecting. Merry Late Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

[unknown-de-mordor-blog]

Plot Bunny Dump: Star Trek XI

This is a post on my old blog. Originally published Jul 12, 2012.

I hate when my plot bunnies just decide to reproduce like, well, bunnies! I couldn't care for them all so I’m putting it here for adoption if anyone cares for one.

The 2009 Star Trek movie gave me a great big kick. I got a couple of bunnies popping up in this fandom.

Warning: Highly K/S, but not necessarily

The Kirk-has-kid fic:

(For this bunny, I’m actually using the edit I posted on K/S archive)

Summary: During the second year of the five-year mission, Kirk was contacted about an illegitimate son he didn’t know existed who would be transferred to his care on the Enterprise. It’s one thing to fight off Klingons and Romulans. It’s another to have a fight at home.

Detail:

After Jim drove his father’s car down the cliff, Winona Kirk finally took notice of her family problem and came back to divorce Frank. In the meantime, Jim was sent to Tarsus IV to stay with his relatives. The famine struck, and Kirk and a bunch of kids stuck together to survive. He got attached to one older girl who took care of him at the time. They were together for a while before they were saved and separated once got back to Earth. Jim was sent back to Iowa without a chance to tell her where he was going, and they never saw each other again.

Jim only knew that he fathered a son with her on the second year of the five-year mission when Starfleet contacted him that she had died. Without other relatives, the boy was sent to his father on the Enterprise and the drama ensued. Jim tried to be a father when he never really had one. His son, with a deep grudge against his father whom his mother loved and worshipped but was never present, took every opportunity to throw it at Jim’s face that he had abandoned them. Spock tried to be a mediator and ended up with the boy kind of hero-worshipped him and his Vulcan coolness. Add that on top of life-threatening missions and a tension between Kirk and Spock that they never thought of exploring, until they were forced to raise a child together.

Notes and Bonuses: I kind of see Jim’s son as the angrier version of ten-year-old-something Jim Kirk with Jim’s IQ and all that, but I’ll leave it to the writer’s discretion on how much of a troublemaker he’s going to be. I don’t think he actually hates Jim, he’s just kind of jealous that his mother loves Jim (ahem, giant Freud alert!) and is angry that Jim was never there for her. So, bonus if he is the first to realize that there is something going on between Jim and Spock, and he disapproves at first because he doesn’t want Jim to forget his mother just like she had never forgotten about him. Another huge bonus for a happy ending, please. Note 2: Just in case you're wondering what to do with Uhura. I never think she and Spock are in a romantic relationship, although they are obviously attracted to one another because: (1) during the Academy years, Spock would have been her instructor. I don't think his moral code would allow them to overstep the bound. (2) he would have made clear to her after Narada that he intends to join the New Vulcan colony. They would have agreed to go their separate ways if she shows up on the Enterprise for its launch. (3) once he joins the Enterprise, he would be her commanding officer. Again, I think Spock would find it inexpedient to initiate a relationship with her. Of course, the writer can play with their friendship or chemistry as much as they want. :)

The Dystopian AU fic:

Summary: In an alternate reality, Terran civilization collapsed before the invention of warp-drive and the First Contact never occurred. Cities disintegrated in chaos and centuries later what was left was settlements of humans, now mostly nomads and farmers, scattered across the world with only a glimpse of the world that came before.

How will Kirk and Spock find each other and save the Federation from a crazy time-travelling Romulan, then?

Detail: Earth was labelled a loss after a global collapse and the Federation rarely paid attention to the contacts made by aliens who try to reap resources and capture human for slave-trade. The incidents were few enough for them to be the stuff of legend for the human struggling to survive in the aftermath.

Jim Kirk of Iowa was out in the field with his sheep when a gang of alien tried to abduct him. He was saved and brought back to the Enterprise, a sentinel ship protecting the Earth, by Captain Spock due to the violation of the Prime Directive. Without anyone else in his family (Father, died since he was young, Brother died in Texas IV, Mother died from illness a few years earlier), Kirk agreed to join the crew, which consisted of aliens but mostly of human Spock has saved from all around the world.

In this universe, Starfleet actually comprised different fractions based on their home planet and thus was quite fractured, more like a group of mercenaries under than an actual organization. Spock was under the Vulcan Fraction but was at odds with them due to his mixed heritage and his fascination with his mother's people who were now regarded as backward. Against his father's wish, he proposed project Enterprise (christened by Amanda) as a collaboration between the Vulcan Fraction and the Vulcan Science Academy so he could spend time studying and protecting Earth from orbit.

Kirk is directly trained under Spock because of his aptitude in logical thinking and computation. Kirk also had a fascination with the Time-That-Has-Gone-Before and liked to spend hours with Spock's personal book collection salvaged from Earth. After a close friendship with Kirk, he started to see the human's potential in command and later appointed him First Officer.

After things start to settle down, they were called back to Vulcan because of Nero's attack. The Vulcan Fraction lost to Narada's superior technology. They, however, managed to save a small group from the planet, but not Sarek whom Nero captured because of his status in Starfleet and Amanda whom Nero psychically broke and killed to spite Spock. Unable to save his mother, suffering from his broken bond with T'Pring and a psychic back-latch from an entire planet being destroyed - Spock became unstable and transferred his command to Kirk but not before he managed to relay an order to aid every Vulcan survivors in all surrounding planets.

Because of that order, Chekov found a life signal on Delta Vega belonging to an elder who seemed to know Kirk. He told Kirk of Nero's intention to destroy all Federation planets and that he would destroy Earth despite the fact that Earth was not a member of the Federation in this reality. With that information, Kirk, against all orders from the Federation, took the Enterprise to Earth to stop Nero and saved Sarek.

I didn't have much idea on how it transpires between here and the end where Spock gave Kirk permanent command of the Enterprise while he decided to join the other survivor and rebuild their race. Kirk, of course, convinced Spock that the Enterprise and Earth needed him more than the Vulcans. Spock was finally convinced to stay with the people that had now become his family and took the position of First Officer.

The MPREG fic (Yes, I've Been There):

Summary: Kirk and Spock went on a mission with the result of Kirk getting an alien uterus and a fetus with his and Spock's combined genetic. With Spock wanting a child, Uhura reluctantly agreed to her boyfriend's suggestion of co-parenting between the three of them. However, as time went by, she started to feel the rip in hers and Spock's relationship and a beginning of Kirk's and Spock's.

Detail: I don't care much about how the pregnancy is made possible, only how they deal with it. McCoy wasn't happy for medical reasons. Uhura wasn't happy because she wasn't ready. Spock wanted a child because his race was diminishing, and Kirk wanted to make Spock happy (in a non-romantic way, at first). But due to the different biology between the carrier, the uterus, and the baby. The pregnancy was complicated and their daily lives changed to accommodate. Although she agreed with the co-parenting term, Uhura soon started to realize that she didn't feel a connection to the baby while Kirk and Spock started to behave more and more like a couple. She also learnt from Kirk in one of their rare private camaraderies during the pregnancy that Kirk had fallen in love with Spock but was not planning on doing anything about it because he respected hers and Spock's relationship. Uhura started to have doubt in her own feeling soon after when she spotted Spock attempting a telepathic communication with his unborn child while Kirk was beaming and realizes that she didn’t really have a place there. When Kirk had to go through preterm birth and was isolated, and Spock was almost driven crazy both because of Kirk's condition and his need to telepathically bond with the child. Uhura confronted Spock about his feeling for Kirk and encouraged him to explore it (she had seen it coming months before after all; she had lots of time to prepare for this). She remained the third parent according to their agreement (and maybe finding comfort in McCoy?), while Kirk and Spock started to build a family.

The Real Reason Kirk Can't Sleep Alone:

Summary: Kirk didn't like his bed empty. Spock just assumed it was his captain's libido. That was until one diplomatic mission put Kirk and Spock in the same room that he realized Kirk's problem ran much deeper and attempted to help.

Detail: After Tarsus IV, Kirk was traumatized because a friend of his died during the night that he developed a fear that everyone might just drop dead while he slept. He dealt with the problem by either exhausting himself, getting drunk or bedding somebody so he had a warm body to hold and feel safe. On the ship, he often resorted to Bones' sedative or cuddled with the man himself (they were best friends after all). It was never a problem to his ability to command as long as he had enough sleep. Spock, only aware of Kirk's reputation with women and his frequent visit to the Doctor's quarter, assumed all along that it was just Kirk's sexual appetite until they went on a diplomatic mission together and Kirk's problem started to make itself known. (He was really stressed and really needed a cuddle, and McCoy wasn't around to help.) Upon learning about the true nature of the problem, Spock offered to cuddle with Kirk. They took the practice back to the Enterprise which soon turned into intimacy, and, of course, McCoy was always the first to know.

[tomfooleryprime]

Was Spock the first human/Vulcan hybrid?

First contact between humans and Vulcans occurred in 2063. Spock was born in 2230. If you listen to some Star Trek fans, that means 167 years passed before both our species decided to bear some sex fruit. Let’s be real though, 167 years is a long time for two civilizations to interact with each other without at least someone from one group deciding to bone someone from the other group, particularly when you consider the populations of both civilizations numbers in the billions.

We might say, “Maybe interspecies sex was just too big of a taboo! Maybe it took that long for barriers to finally start coming down.” Yeah, maybe. Or maybe it’s like Hagrid once said of Dobby the house elf: “Yeh get weirdos in every breed.” Even if 9,999,999,999 humans thought the idea of having sex with an alien was weird or unnatural, there would always be at least one exceptionally progressive person who could see beyond everyone else’s prejudices and pre-conceived notions, and I’m certain the same is true for Vulcans. I would almost be willing to bet that at least one of the first Vulcans who rolled off the T’Plana-Hath on that April morning in 2063 in Bozeman, Montana saw one of the locals and thought, “That human is aesthetically pleasing.” And all it takes is a spark, right? Besides, who wouldn’t want to hear a Vulcan pickup line?

And all the panties fell off as if by magic.

Moreover, in 1957, 106 years before official First Contact between humans and Vulcans, a small Vulcan survey ship crash-landed near Carbon Creek, Pennsylvania. There were only three survivors, and of those three, one of them just couldn’t stop himself from falling for the single mom who ran the local bar. Granted, Maggie didn’t know Mestral was Vulcan, but he definitely knew she was human, and a trivial thing like species didn’t seem to matter to him.

Smitten personified.

But wait, just because a few amorous, adventurous, or convention-hating humans and Vulcans might be willing to stand up and proudly (or maybe more discreetly) proclaim, “Love is love, fuck the haters” and get naked with each other, that doesn’t mean they were making babies because after all, humans and Vulcans are genetically incompatible and it would take a feat of medical engineering to swap gametes, right?

Argue if you want, but human/Vulcan sexy time dates back to at least 2153.

People who believe Spock must have been the first hybrid usually stake this claim on one or more of four arguments:

1.     Humans and Vulcans didn’t shack up routinely enough 2.     The science of making a hybrid baby didn’t exist until Spock came along 3.     Gene Roddenberry said so 4.     Spock clearly felt isolated as a child, but he wouldn’t have if there were more hybrids like him

I’ve already poked enough holes in the first claim. Maybe there weren’t a ton of interspecies couples, but I feel confident in saying there were at least some and some is all we need. And once people decide they like each other enough to form relationships, it’s usually not long before at least some of them start thinking, “You know what would make this better? A smaller version of us!”

As for the science behind making a hybrid baby, it existed in the mid 22nd century. Spock wasn’t the first. That’s a fact. Elizabeth, the hybrid child of Charles “Trip” Tucker and T’Pol, existed in 2154.

Pointy ears and pinchable cheeks.  

Elizabeth sadly died as a result of the improper cloning techniques used to conceive her, so there are many who would take the statement of “Spock was the first human/Vulcan hybrid” and simply add the caveat of “to survive.” Perhaps. But in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode “Terra Prime,” Trip says:

I spoke with Phlox. It turns out there was a flaw in the technique that Paxton’s doctors used in the cloning process. Human DNA and Vulcan DNA, Phlox says there’s no medical reason why they can’t combine. So if a Vulcan and a human ever decided to have a child, it’s probably be ok. And that’s sort of comforting.

So a Denobulan doctor knew a way to make hybrids a full 75 years before Spock was conceived. Maybe the technology was untested and required some refining, but by even a modern a technological timeline, 75 years is an eternity.  

There’s an interview between Gene Roddenberry and Mark Lenard which claims Spock was the first, and so a lot of people might be happy to believe whatever Roddenberry said was the gospel. In the interview, Roddenberry is interviewing Mark Lenard as Ambassador Sarek, asking him questions about humanity and his life when the subject of Spock comes up.

Mark Lenard: Spock’s mother Amanda is an extraordinary woman. Gene Roddenberry: And Spock was the result? The first human/Vulcan mixture? Mark Lenard: No, not the first, but the first to survive. As you must know, an Earth/Vulcan conception will abort during the end of the first month; the fetus is unable to continue life once it begins to develop its primary organs. The fetus Spock was removed from Amanda’s body at this time: the first such experiment ever attempted. His tiny form resided in a test tube for the following two Earth months while our physicians performed delicate chemical engineering, introducing over a 100 subtle changes we hoped would sustain life. At the end of this time, the fetus was returned to Amanda’s womb. At the ninth Earth month, the tiny form was again removed from Amanda, prematurely by Vulcan standards, and spent the following four months of Vulcan term pregnancy in a specially designed incubator. The infant Spock proved surprisingly resilient. There seemed to be something about the Earth/Vulcan mixture which created in that tiny body the fierce determination to survive.

So for some fans, maybe that counts as proof. But Gene Roddenberry had a lot of conceptual ideas about his beloved Star Trek that conflict with actual canon and modern science. For a prime example, just look at the treatment of star dates. So maybe it’s me, but I don’t think something is canon just because Roddenberry said it in an interview once. Furthermore, if we take that interview as canon, how do we explain this scene from The Final Frontier where Spock is delivered from Amanda (not a “specially designed incubator”) and presented to Sarek?

Then Sarek went and uttered one of the most dick lines in Trek history.

Lastly, there’s the isolation that Spock feels. How can we explain how lonely he is if it’s not because he’s the only hybrid? Quite easily, actually. Every single person in existence has felt misunderstood and alone at times. As children, our worlds are very small and our social circles consist of our immediate families, school mates, and our parents’ associates. That’s pretty much it. When we aren’t exposed to people like us, it’s very easy to imagine Rocket Raccoon might have been onto something when he said, “Ain’t no thing like me, except me!”

But that’s very rarely literally true, as every kid who’s ever been the only minority at their school or any teen who’s ever been the only gay person in their tiny conservative town will tell you. As we get older and achieve the freedom to strike out and meet people on our own terms, we often learn we weren’t quite as unique as we thought and there are whole groups of people out there who are black or gay or disabled or whatever it was that left us feeling so alone in our formative years. I think that’s why Spock’s character resonated so much with viewers – he was a symbol for all the misfits out there who knew just how much it sucks trying to fit into the fabric of a society that seems so different than they are.

 Proof that regardless of species, kids can be fucking awful. 

Vulcan was a big planet. By the time Nero destroyed it in Star Trek: 2009, it had more than 6 billion inhabitants. Even if there were only 100 human/Vulcan hybrids by that point in time, the odds of an average Vulcan encountering one would still be incredibly small. It’s entirely possible Spock may have felt like he was the only hybrid because he might have been the only one in his community, but the universe is a big place with plenty of room for other human/Vulcan hybrids he and those vicious bullies never met. 

Spock was clearly pretty special. Even people who hate Star Trek and know almost nothing about it know who Spock was and recognize the Vulcan salute Leonard Nimoy made famous in his portrayal of the character. But just because Spock’s human ancestry made him unusual doesn’t necessarily mean his conception was some completely novel, groundbreaking, pioneering leap for interspecies relationships either. 

I can’t say I know many Vulcans, but I think I have a pretty firm grasp on humanity. Despite homosexual, interracial, and interfaith relationships being taboo and even illegal in many countries until relatively recently (and sadly still are in some places) there have always been people who decided they didn’t care and took a chance on love. So I don’t buy the idea that humans and Vulcans could live and work together even in a limited capacity for more than a century and a half before making the jump into starting families.

[winterverses]

Chapter Ten

Click the hearts for the deleted scenes!

The few days left before docking at Yorktown fled quickly. To Anne, they were something like heaven. With useful work to do all day, kind and considerate colleagues, and frequent visits with Captain Kirk, instead of Tarenn and Loche and their demands and cruelty, she felt more sure than she had since before she’d been a captive. The possibility of the mind meld lurked below her thoughts, though, popping up at odd moments to torment her. Granting access to her mind was something that, in her previous life, she wouldn’t have hesitated to do just to know what it felt like. As it stood now, her mind had long been her only sanctuary and she was frightened of letting anyone into it.

If only it had been Kirk that was capable of the mind meld. She wouldn’t hesitate then; she knew that he was the kind of person who couldn’t stand by and watch others be abused. She wondered, sometimes, if there wasn’t something related to that in his past. No one became the sort of daredevil child he’d referenced for no reason. And it was plain that he idealized his father to a degree much greater than he would have if his father figure while growing up had been the same kind of upstanding person. But he hadn’t said anything directly, and she wouldn’t pry. She knew better.

He’d taken to seeing her for an hour in the morning, before they started their shifts, letting her spill out the details of her captivity in measured doses, and then coming to have dinner with her in the evenings, where they would talk about anything and everything else. She’d glossed over some of the worst parts of her captivity with Tarenn during Kirk’s cross-examination of her, but she hadn’t left anything out. By now he knew most of it, if not the more awful things that had happened elsewhere. Nothing she’d said had shaken his confidence in her. It was a good feeling, to know he believed the things she said and trusted in her account of her captivity, even with her memory issues.

Anne knew, though, that those holes in her memory contained things that could be helpful. And by the time they docked at Yorktown, she knew she would have to go through with the mind meld. She just hadn’t said anything yet.

She had the trial to think of.

The practice questioning with Kirk had been helpful, but she still wasn’t sure if she could speak in front of an auditorium full of people. And she hadn’t mentioned anything about what had gone on with Loche, not at all. There was the possibility that it might come up during questioning.

It would definitely come up during the mind meld. It was the whole purpose of the mind meld.

There was no help for it. One way or another, she'd have to admit to the blood on her hands.

She would rather reveal it to Kirk before any of that. Indeed, as the Enterprise was docking, she lingered in her quarters, in hopes that he would stop there before disembarking and she could speak to him privately. Instead, he summoned her to the docking passage.

Anne briefly considered whether to bring anything with her, and decided against it. She’d been in contact with Mason, and he would have set something up for her by now. The Enterprise could use the materials of her borrowed clothes to synthesize other things. She smoothed her dress. It was a simple sleeveless dress, white, with a modest bateau neckline and a flared skirt that swirled around her calves. With her hair caught up in her customary French twist, she felt she looked presentable enough for the Council. Cosmetics and all that would have hidden the marks her captivity had left.

As she made her way to the docking passage, she reflected that she would miss the intimidating bustle of the passageways and the purposeful strides of the crew members. It was nice to be in a place where everyone had a function and knew it, even if she couldn't be a part of it. And she was still doing better than some. She’d seen the other slaves from time to time, but none of them wanted to associate with her, or each other. They had been traded back and forth for longer than she had; they weren’t adjusting well to freedom. They didn’t want her interference. It was the crew that Anne had started to bond with, and she hadn’t even felt secure enough to start talking to them.

It felt like goodbye. Mason would have gotten her an apartment already. He’d been his same old snobby British self when she’d contacted him, as abrasive and domineering as ever even when he was trying to be protective. Although he’d been her agent since her first book, she couldn’t handle talking to him long in her fragile state. But she wouldn’t have had to tell him what kind of apartment or what things she needed; he’d take care of it without her asking. He knew what she wanted. Still, leaving the ship felt… isolating. It was an odd and unaccustomed emotion. She’d preferred to be alone for so long.

When she approached Kirk, she knew he could see the wistfulness in her face. He was good at reading her. She was a little intimidated that he was standing with a whole group: Spock, McCoy, and a beautiful dark-complected woman that Anne didn’t know. They were all in grey formal Starfleet uniforms, ready for the trial. Kirk stepped forward to meet her. “Tarenn’s already been taken from the ship and put in Yorktown’s custody. The trial will be in an hour, so we should get going.”

Anne nodded. “I’m as ready as I can possibly be,” she said gravely. She was still afraid she might break down on the stand. “I need to speak to you privately,” she said, darting a quick glance at the others. “It’s not good.”

Kirk looked at the others, and then led her a short distance away. “I can’t really afford anything more private than this at the moment. Is something wrong?” His eyes searched her face, concerned.

Anne glanced back at the group waiting for them, and then said, “No. Sorry. But if something I haven’t told you comes up in the trial, please try not to judge me too harshly.”

Kirk blinked, frowned, nonplussed by her statement. “No one’s going to hold anything you did while you were a captive against you.” His expression said that they damn well better not.

Somewhat comforted, though still worried, Anne nodded. “All right. But I do want you to remember that there’s more than I told you, and it’s worse. Much worse. My other… owner… was hellish.”

Jaw tightening, Kirk had to take a moment to clear his scowl. “And that’s who I’ll be hunting next. I’ve had orders from Starfleet Command that pending the outcome of the trial, the Enterprise will be heading back out to catch the rest of the smuggling ring and any of their clients we can find.”

Sighing, Anne sagged a bit. Knowing he would be on the mission relieved her; he would find them. She knew it. “All right. Good. I guess we should go, then.”

Kirk motioned to the others, and they fell in around Anne like a phalanx, insulating her from anyone else. Anne snuck a glance toward the woman, wondering who she was, and accidentally caught her eye. “Don’t worry,” the woman said, smiling reassuringly. “You’re gonna be okay. We’re with you.”

Anne felt herself give an automatic smile in return, despite the pit that was growing in her stomach. If this was the quality of people that Starfleet recruited, maybe she’d have done well in it after all.

The Council chamber was huge and crowded with sentients of all kinds. An assortment of high-ranking people sat in a semicircle across the back of the room, and the auditorium in front of them was packed with all sorts, both Starfleet and civilians, though no media was allowed. Anne had never been in a Federation court before, and while she was intimidated, some part of her was also avidly trying to memorize every detail, every impression. When she could write again, she might need the remembrance of this scene.

Kirk led the group to some seats near the bottom, seating her between himself and McCoy. As everyone made their way to their appointed places, he murmured in her ear, “Uhura, Bones, and I are testifying as well. Spock is here for moral support.”

Anne couldn’t help some silent, puzzled humor at the idea. She’d been friendly with a couple of Vulcans before her capture, and that wouldn’t have been a consideration for any she’d known. Maybe it was a joke. Maybe Kirk was just trying to keep her mind off the trial.

It seemed like too short a time before the man in the center of the curving Council table, the name Vice-Admiral Landau engraved on a plaque in front of him, banged his gavel. The crowd fell silent. “We are here to determine the guilt or innocence of one Gamel Tarenn. Come to order. Bring the defendant to the stand.”

Anne felt her grip on the arms of the chair grow tight and her breathing turn shallow. Tarenn was brought out, wearing his normal dark clothing, his legs not shackled and his hands not cuffed. As she noticed that, Anne felt her breathing quicken into hyperventilating. Why hadn’t they shackled him? He was dangerous. The charges against him were for violence. They had no reason to believe he wouldn’t attempt something,

Kirk’s hand came down over one of hers. “It’s all right. The guards have their phasers. If he tries anything, he’ll get stunned.” His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, sending a flurry of other emotions coursing through Anne. She turned her hand up under his, threading her fingers through his, and he squeezed reassuringly. She didn’t care if it was inappropriate; she just wanted the comfort of knowing Kirk was there.

Her roiling emotions made it hard to keep her detachment, but it helped to remind herself that it was research. Nyota Uhura was first called to the stand, and she testified that messages had been sent from Tarenn’s ship regarding the sale of human beings. The two captives who had chosen to participate were called to speak about their experiences with Tarenn. They had not come from the same place she had, so they hadn’t been mistreated the same way. They were still captives, however, and they had still gone through horrors. Doctor McCoy was called to talk about the medical state of the captives. His testimony was restricted to the malnutrition and the occasional beatings that they could prove had happened during the captives’ time with Tarenn, but it still included medical holos, lacerations and bruises marked on anonymous, undetailed figures. Anne knew instantly which holo was of her; it was unmistakable. For the first time, she saw all of the damage to her body. It was… bad. Knowing she had scars was one thing, but seeing them was completely another. She’d avoided mirrors, and nudity, since she’d gained her freedom.

McCoy’s testimony went on for a long while, as he had ten patients to get through, and then Kirk was called to the stand. He squeezed her hand again before he got up, letting her fingers fall loosely from his, and gave her a small wink before heading down to the stand. He was questioned about the incident that brought him into contact with Tarenn, and what had made him decide that Tarenn’s ship should be captured.

“Screaming,” Kirk replied to the Councillor’s last question. “We were aboard the ship, ready to start repairing the hull when I heard screaming coming from the hold just off Engineering.”

“And this is where you found the slaves?” a hard-faced woman asked.

“Yes, ma’am. They were in a state I wouldn’t leave a dog in. Dirty, underfed, dressed in rags. The one who screamed seemed unaware of me until I opened her cell door.” Though she could only see his back, she knew the expression on his face. A mixture of abhorrence and determination behind a careful blankness. She had seen it often enough.

“Shortly afterward you discovered the contraband. Is that correct?” A Vulcan asked, her face as expressionless as Spock’s was.

“Yes, ma’am. Everything was recorded and transferred to the Enterprise to bring to Yorktown.” Kirk nodded respectfully to the Vulcan.

“And this all happened because of the vaccine against Corellian Syndrome,” Vice-Admiral Landau said.

“Yes, sir,” Kirk replied. “We attempted to beam the vaccine over, but the Sorte’s deflectors were malfunctioning. We couldn’t transport anything over until they were off, and when they were, an asteroid hit the Sorte’s hull, causing a small breach. We beamed over to provide assistance.”

The Vice-Admiral looked skeptically at Kirk, but subsided. “We have no further questions for you. The defendant may speak.”

“I believe they used their tractor beam to move the asteroid into our path,” Tarenn said. “Our sensors showed no asteroid approaching us.”

Kirk replied coldly, “Our tractor beam logs are available to the court. They will show that we did no such thing. As for your sensors, your communications and your deflectors were malfunctioning. It’s possible that your sensors were as well.”

At that, Tarenn subsided, growling, “No more questions.”

“You may be seated, Captain,” the Vice-Admiral said. As Kirk walked back to his seat, Vice-Admiral Landau announced, “Anne Hardesty, you are summoned to the stand.”

Anne felt her blood drain, leaving her light-headed. She pushed herself up from her chair and numbly made her way to the aisle where Kirk was standing. Looking up at him, she saw him nod encouragingly, and he touched her shoulder as she passed. That simple touch steadied her, made her feel a little better. Breathing deeply, she walked down the aisle, as composed as she could be. Once behind the witness’s podium, she felt a little better, as she could only see Tarenn if she looked in his direction.

“Do you confirm that you are Anne M. Hardesty?” one of the Councillors asked. Anne couldn’t look to see which of them it was. She stared straight ahead.

“Yes,” she tried to say, but it barely came out. She cleared her throat. “Yes, I am.” That time was better. Firmer. Almost in control.

“Do you also confirm Captain Kirk’s account of the state he found you in?” someone else asked. She was too upset to want to know who was asking the questions. She decided to ignore the people entirely and concentrate just on what was asked.

“I do. I was in the first cell he opened. I was the one who had screamed.” When would the hard questions start?

“Do you also confirm that you wish to pursue the charges you have logged against Gamel Tarenn?”

“Yes. I do.” Her voice had trembled. This wasn’t easy. The charges were almost every crime that one person could inflict on another.

“Why did you scream?”

“I heard new voices on the ship. I thought I heard the word Starfleet. I decided it was worth risking a beating if I was wrong.” Not that Tarenn had habitually beaten her. That was more Loche’s style.

“How long was your captivity on the Sorte?”

“About three months, I think. I don’t know exact dates.” She’d never had access to anything that would have shown her dates. Neither Tarenn nor Loche had allowed it; she’d mostly stolen peeks at others using the computers when no one was looking in her direction.

“How did you come to be on the Sorte?”

Anne closed her eyes. They were getting closer to the bad stuff. “Tarenn won me in a game of dom-jot.”

And then it came. The hard question that would start off all the others. “For what purpose did he keep you?”

Anne tried to detach herself as much as possible. Words came from her, but she barely heard them, though she knew they were coherent and true. More questions followed, each digging deeper into what had happened to her, and she confirmed McCoy’s account of her malnutrition and abuse, describing in brief detail her encounters with Tarenn. It was something like torture, remembering all of it, but she pretended she was talking with Kirk again, and that helped somewhat.

Near the end of her questioning, she could feel herself shaking. One of the voices asked, “Once you were on the Enterprise, you provided information that helped them repel an attack by alleged smuggling ships. Where did you come by this information?”

“I had been on Tarenn’s ship when he enacted the same strategy more than once, to overcome passing cargo ships that were using their tractor beams. It seemed like a common strategy.” That was safer territory.

Immediately, they went back into unsafe territory. “Did Gamel Tarenn ever give you duties aboard his ship?”

Taking a shaky breath, Anne attempted to evade the question. “Nothing that pertained to the ship or the running of it.”

“Please explain,” someone said.

Another shaky breath, and then another. She was losing it. “Does the court consider the use of my body in a criminal fashion duties?” she asked, and she couldn’t keep her voice from being a bit hostile.

There was a short pause. “Understood.”

Vice-Admiral Landau, who was in her direct line of vision, said, “We have no more questions for you. The defendant may address his accuser.”

Anne had known this was coming, but after the questioning, she wasn’t sure she could stand up to it. She felt herself trembling like a leaf in a high wind.

“Anne, prima donna, how can you lie like this? I would submit to the court that we were lovers, and that she was caged because she became violent towards me and the rest of the crew.” Tarenn’s voice sounded smooth, oily even, and she felt it as though it stuck to her skin.

“Never,” she said, her voice ragged with fear. It wasn't as if she hadn't pretended she had feelings for him early on… but it had been that or die. “I was never your lover. I would never-- never--” she felt her hands grip the sides of the podium, and she closed her eyes.

“At least look at me before you throw me on the mercy of the court,” Tarenn said. “We had such fun together. And you look so lovely. I want my last memory of you to be of your beautiful face.” His voice sounded smugly sarcastic. Anne knew he was just saying these things to try to tear away her composure. It was working. She forced her eyes open.

A sudden movement behind her caught her attention, and her head snapped around to see that Kirk had risen and was approaching the stand. “Captain Kirk, you have not been summoned to the stand,” Vice-Admiral Landau growled.

“As one of the witnesses, I have the right to stand here,” he said, stepping briskly down the stairs to the podium. “And as a Starfleet officer, I will not stand by and watch the accused inflict mental and emotional suffering on his victim in front of the whole court.” Kirk stood at the podium with her, his body slightly turned so that his back was to her, and so that she could not see Tarenn at all. Anne felt her trembling lessen, his presence giving her strength. He was nearly touching her, so close that she could almost feel the warmth of his body.

A tense silence filled the room. Anne hoped desperately that they wouldn’t make him leave her.

After what seemed eons, Vice-Admiral Landau said, “I will allow it, this once. But only because the evidence seems clear. Gamel Tarenn, have you any questions left for your accusers before we confer to make our ruling?”

“I do not,” Tarenn said icily. Deprived of the fun of watching her break down on the stand, he no longer seemed interested in her. Anne felt even more relieved.

“I have something to add,” Kirk said, surprising her. “I believe it will settle any question of Tarenn’s accusations toward Ms. Hardesty.”

“Present your evidence,” Vice-Admiral Landau said, frowning.

Kirk held up a small chip. “This sound recording was made in the brig, during our altercation with the smugglers. It was not submitted with the rest of the evidence because there was some question of whether it would be legally admissible, but as it was recorded during a battle, I believe the expectation of privacy is inapplicable. Am I correct?”

Vice-Admiral Landau glanced at the other Councillors, then back to Kirk. “Give us a moment to consult.”

It took very little time for them to come to a decision. “Play the recording,” the hard-faced woman said.

Kirk inserted the chip into a slot on the podium, and the sounds of the battle filled the air. Phaser fire, Anne’s panting, the directions of the other officers that she’d barely heard… and then Tarenn’s taunting, his promises of how she would scream to pay for the screams that had set her free. His descriptions of how he would make her beg to stay with him rather than be traded back to Loche. Anne heard her own choked off gasps and whimpers as she tried to ignore him, the background of the phaser fire… the door opening, and then more shouting and the eventual defeat of the mercenaries. Spock talking to Kirk. And then that last exchange.

“You came here because you wanted to be there if I was released. Such devotion. It’s almost like you really were my lover.”

“I came here to make sure you weren’t released. I’d rather die than live in a universe where you went free.”

The court was silent for a moment afterward, processing the recording. Kirk took advantage of the silence. “I believe Tarenn’s last comment proves that he did not consider her a lover, and Ms. Hardesty’s answer proves that she has no romantic feelings for Tarenn.”

“You are correct,” the Vulcan said. “His words would be illogical if there was an established emotional attachment there. And in our ruling we will take into account the danger he presents to Ms. Hardesty.”

“Thank you,” Kirk said.

“The Court will adjourn for ruling. Please remain in your seats. The accused will stay at the stand; the accusers may be seated.” Vice-Admiral Landau rose from his chair, and the other Councilors joined him.

Kirk turned to Anne, looking her over. She knew he could see that she was barely hanging on. “Come on,” he said gently, and turned.

It was definitely by design that Kirk stayed in front of her the whole way back to the aisle, blocking her from Tarenn’s sight. As they reached the aisle, her turned and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, walking her up the aisle and back toward their seats. Anne felt Uhura watching her with sympathetic eyes, but she couldn’t bring herself to do more than glance in Uhura’s direction.

The deliberation didn’t take long. There was too much evidence against Tarenn. When the Councillors filed back in the room and had taken their places, Vice-Admiral Landau banged his gavel for silence, and then said, “The accused is found guilty on all charges. He will go to rehabilitation, and the length of his stay will be determined by his willingness to change his ways.”

It was the equivalent of a life sentence. A satisfied murmur rippled through the auditorium. Anne was again clutching Kirk’s hand, this time with both hands, trying to still the awful shaking that gripped her. There were a few formalities after that as Tarenn was escorted from the room, but she paid them no attention. He was gone, he was being rehabilitated, and she would never see him again. The thought was overwhelming.

When Kirk rose, she did too, hesitant to let go of his hand. When she tried, however, he just squeezed her hand and looked back at her. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“I have to find out where I’m staying,” Anne said, her voice shaky.

Kirk gave her a small grin. “Forget it. You’re on the Enterprise.”

A rush of relief flooded through her, almost unbalancing her enough for tears. All of these conflicting emotions were going to drive her mad. She just nodded and let him bring her along, her hand tucked into the crook of his arm like it belonged there.

[speedygal]

Mission to Mars  AU

I’m taking some liberties to tinker with this AU. So bare with me.

James T Kirk has fallen head over heels for a woman whose in the space program for NASA. Her name is  Carol Marcus. He is best friends with Gary “Mitch” Mitchell and Leonard H. “McCoy” McCoy, a black man in this AU but he still looks like McCoy otherwise nothing different. Carol falls sick, contract cancer, and dies shortly after their wedding. She lived for six months. McCoy is going into space with three other people consisting of Hikaru Sulu, Pavel Chekov, and Spring (T’Pring) to Mars. Harold Grayson, aka human Spock, is part of the party along with a dozen others and children.  McCoy has a little girl named Joanna who is eight years old with his wife Jocelyn. McCoy is reading a Galaxy Quest fan novel to his daughter every night. Jim is close friends with Harold and dealing with the grief. He’s gotten better but the pain in his chest still lingers. Sometimes he thinks he sees her, sometimes he feels like she is till there with them, following him watching him like she isn’t really gone. Mitch, Jim, and Len are in Joanna’s treehouse talking about how the gang is splitting up. Harold is at the bottom. He’s one of the few people in society who is psi-positive and does not wish to hear their inner thoughts. Mitch has a necklace with a triangle shaped object around his neck. It’s a dream. A promise. Something that was given and made to every day people. Hope. It looks like a rocket but it isn’t. It has a  star  in the center of it. Harold is the second to last to leave but not without shaking Leonard’s hand, fondly, allowing him to see and feel how he will be missed.

18 months later, the group of four has settled on Mars. They have found ways to produce water and extract it from mars which indicates, as theory holds that it used to be like Earth. McCoy misses his little girl and his buddies on Earth. Hikaru has created a green house with help from Russian Chekov who is just too cute for words with the Asian man. They are dotting over each other highly in love. Spring is perfectly fine with her assignment and enjoys the peace and quiet for once and her duties are exceptional. Spring reminds McCoy of Harold. McCoy misses the two nerds. Hikaru jokes to McCoy that the plants will one day be his only hope and listening ears for him. McCoy replies cynical and skeptical of it. They have a lot of plants.  He knows his colleagues are on the international space station and when he realizes that, he gathers the crew and makes a embarrassing video that takes 20 minutes to get to the station. They decide to go to the ‘face’ because their little drone has shown something truly odd about it. 20 minutes later, they make it to the face, scan it, project at it with their radar while McCoy is by the rover. The anomaly reacts and it is devastating. Back at the space station, Harold is learning to dance with some help from Mitch who is getting interested in him. And making out because there is some form of connection that they made between each other. Jim is embarrassed by the video, afterwards the face’s anomaly is brought up. The space station is alerted to the out-of-this-world-charge and blanketing-of-destruction. The worst is expected, Jim is distraught and has to leave to deal with this. His best friend. Is gone. His reaction is worse than losing his wife and he deals with it privately in his quarters. On Mars, McCoy digs himself out of the dirt. Gets the hell out of their on the rover. Terrified out of his mind and lucky to be alive. He is swearing to himself about how space is dangerous and how stupid he was to go into space and chides himself for joining because Jim joined. He is chastising himself all the way to the station. And crying over the loss of his colleagues. He talks to himself all the way there but he still hasn’t calmed down while back at HQ everyone is freaking out in a HQ meeting. McCoy is trying to find the good in it but he feels for his colleagues so much. It’s undeniably painful. He goes in to make another video out of breath and panting. The signal is lost after he asks Jim to tell his daughter that he loves her. McCoy is left alone with minimal packaged food that lasts for one month since next week was going to be the departure from the planet for the next crew. Also with plants, and water. No human interaction.

The HQ gets the video and sees it. Jim wants to send a team after McCoy and bring him home. Jim is back to his old self minus being ridged, compromised, and a true mess. He is a diplomatic, confident, and kind man. He wants to help in any way he can. Mitch stand up for Jim to Captain Pike of the vessel to go get their friend back. Harold is there acting as support in the background. Mitch thanks Harold for being there with him. Harold does not speak often, apparently, and reserves his voice for more important  occasions. Which gives off the mute impression. Jim shares a video call with Joanna and tells her that her dad is going to be back sometime  in 2022. He is going to bring him back. In any way he can. Jocelyn breaks the news to Jim that she has divorced McCoy over five months ago. Jim then realizes that’s why McCoy told him only Joanna. Jim and Jocelyn talk about McCoy. Jocelyn tells him that he has her blessing if he wants to go after McCoy. That comforts Jim. Jim asks how she and Joanna have been doing. They share a good conversation. The conversation ends eventually. Jim goes over to Uhura and advises her to comfort her girlfriend, Christine Chapel, over her lost fiancee. She needs time away from her station and says he will cover her. Uhura is thankful for Jim then leaves. Jim covers her station exactly as he says. He uses the quality time and silence to recuperate. Janice Rand gives Jim some coffee. She puts a hand on his shoulder and attempts to comfort him since there is, in NASA’s eyes, no way that McCoy could have survived and even if he was still alive he was probably in bad shape. Jim appreciates the gesture. A few hours later, Jim is writing up the names of those who should go on the rescue mission aka evaluation mission to see what happened. The data that was collected will take months if not years to shift through and understand from what happened on Mars. Grayson and Jim play chess in the mess hall. Grayson breaks the news that Jim is going to lead the rescue mission. Jim then informs Grayson of who he has chosen for the rescue mission so far: Grayson, Mitch, and Montgomery Scott. He was going to chose Lee Kelso or one of the so called ‘Thermian’ members of the space station to lead the rescue mission. Preferably a woman. Janice Lester.  Grayson informs Jim that would have been a terrible choice of all three because 1, they are not Jim Kirk, 2, they are all rational, logical people, and 3, they are not as bold and stubborn as Jim is to get someone back. Grayson alludes to Jim dragging his ass into NASA training and Jim replies, “You are exaggerating, McCoy got you in to watch I and Carol’s six.” Grayson alludes to other instances where Jim was behind his back during high school and studying with McCoy for the tests. Jim smiles back at him. Jim defeats Grayson and almost calls him by a fictionalized character who appeared once in Galaxy Quest, “That was a excellent game, Mr Spauwk.” Grayson raises his arched eyebrow. “Sorry, friend, that just slipped.” Jim has to speak with the people he was going to add to the roster. Ben Sulu, Hikaru’s husband, is crying with Lieutenant Romaine and Scotty around him taking him away  from the mess hall.

Our scene transitions to later of boarding the  IXS Enterprise that is connected to the international space station. There’s a party being thrown for the group. Jim hugs his friends and colleagues but notably the last he shakes their hands including the so called Thermian people with bowl hair cuts. He kisses both Christine and Nyota on the cheeks. Janice Rand gets a hug. The ship is full of supplies for the crew. He shakes Captain Pike’s hand and assures him. The trip is 173 days aka five months and sixty-eight days. Their space suits have touch screen gloves, are light blue, fit their body like a glove, and they are not bulky. It’s actually comfortable. The Boeing NASA space suits feel better than the previous model. They have space suits for going on mars which is the blue version of the white suit which is basically a add on to the space suit. Scotty is over joyed. Grayson and Mitch’s relationship continues to bud. Scotty is carefully monitoring the fuel. Because this shit is expensive. Jim watches videos of Carol. Their son, David, was put into a artificial womb prior to her death in a synthetic body that provides nutrients to him. He has been encountering problems along the way which has paused his development. Jim had his will changed last year specifically for David’s arrival and if he cannot be around for him. He has McCoy, Pike,  Winona, George, and Grayson listed as potential guardians for the child. Jim gets to know Scotty better than he did on the international space station.

McCoy, on Mars, adjusts to his new and boring and terrifying life. He evidently does not eat the cupcake that is discarded on the counter. The signal cannot be restablished. He continues what Hikaru had done before him, watering the plants. Some days he fights with them over: water. They provide him oxygen and food. He eventually thinks he sees the crew around him. McCoy evidently thinks he is losing his mind. He realizes the plants are his only hope because Hikaru had always said they were alive and talked about forests being a living garden where they exchanged messages. McCoy is stuck inside the shuttle afraid to go outside. He talks to the plants and tend to him. McCoy deals with the grief of losing his crewmates. Some days he thinks he sees Jim  and Grayson and he gives into the illusion grabbing Jim into a hug until he is down to his knees a crying mess. He thinks no one is coming because A, no one would send a rescue mission after a event like this, B, it’s a death wish since space is dangerous wrapped in disease and death. And its unpredictable. He and his team were lucky to get down to mars. McCoy misses his crewmates. He goes through denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance all in different orders. One day he sees his two nerds, but they are dressed differently and their space suits are nothing like NASA with the different patches. Grayson with pointed ears and slanted eyebrows. They talk to hm after McCoy tackles the look-alike Jim with a pickaxe and he just blacked out. He wakes up in a static field room. He thinks he has gone insane. Their uniforms are unique. He attacks anyone who comes near him because hell he is not sure if this is reality anymore. He calls himself Horatio after seeing look alike him checking him out with devices  while he is bounced to the chair. He manages to escape running down the hall where he makes his way to the transporter room where he sees Hikaru and Pavel and he screams so loud  backing off BECAUSE AREN’T THEY DEAD? He comes across T’Pring accidentally when he enters the lab room and he faints at the sight of her. He is taken back to the room and its so surreal and frightening and scary and he struggles. Look alike Jim comes to his side and puts a hand on his shoulder and look alike Spock puts a hand on his shoulder, so he says, “I have no idea who y’all playin’ at or my subconscious is making. BUT YOU MAKE A LOUSY TAKE ON the best man I ever known, GRAYSON.” He feels the contact of touch by look alike Grayson and emotions take over McCoy’s body; the sympathy, understanding, and love is overwhelming. McCoy loses consciousness. When he awakens, he is back in the green house, McCoy sees the toy action figures to  Galaxy Quest on the table and realizes he has been up too long thinking about all those what ifs. He sees the pickax leaned against the counter and recalls that he took it out as self defense measure in case whatever spared him came will be quickly slaughtered. McCoy gets back up and works on that signature he found from what came out of the face sculpture. He is undergoing serious angst issues and questions reality at every turn to make sure he is not dreaming AND THAT DREAM TERRIFIED THE HELL OUT OF HIM, WHAT IF A LOOK ALIKE OF JIM BEING THE ALIEN, TOOK THAT SHAPE IN WHICH HE WAS COMFORTABLE WITH TO KILL HIM? He realizes how he had been comparing Spring and Harold to a an alien species portrayed by William Shatner as Mr Spauwk. 3 months into his endless hell, McCoy goes out in his suit then retrieves the body parts of his comrades. He can’t find Pavel’s body but it doesn’t feel right not to make him a grave for him. So he gathers what Pavel prized and buries it for the others in total making three graves. He presides over their graves and delivers monologues and whatever else in what religion they practiced and their own language using their bibles or their holy related items. He leaves the American flag down because he can’t risk being attacked by that face again. By this point, he accepts that he has lost three truly wonderful people. And he may die alone never seeing a human face again.

3 months and six-eight days later, they are near Mars. Grayson is a better dancer in zero gravity.  His budding relationship with Mitch has become a romance. Scotty and Jim are true companions. Scotty sends messages to Romaine and the others on the international space station. Mitch holds random dance hours in free space and it’s so disgustingly cute when it’s with Grayson like no joke. A taller man, being Grayson, holding Mitch in his arms, appearing to enjoy what they are doing. Jim has watched their relationship grow with some help from himself.  Scotty is flattered and doesn’t want to so Grayson brings the dance to him. Scotty rolls an eye as Mitch and Jim are laughing. Scotty is not amused. Scotty fails at chess with Grayson. This time when the station contacts them, the station has good news. The satellite is working again. And warns them about the sand storms. Scotty notices the lumps of graves in left quadrant of the site. Jim is given hope. Harold reasons that McCoy may be dead by now as no one would have been able to survive that long and there is no one left to bury him. Jim is determined to bury his friend’s body if that is the case. Mitch is skeptical someone would be alive. Scotty shares he same skepticism. Eventually, Mitch finds Jim watching their marriage celebretory video. They talk about Carol. How she saw hope for the universe and humanity and science connecting them together reaching their hands out to each other. Mitch talks about Grayson and how they are going to continue their relationship getting back and how he wants Jim to be there at their wedding if Grayson accepts his offer. He is going to ask when they are on Mars. Jim congratulates him. They share a hug.

Scotty meets up with Mitch. Mitch is in a good mood. They drink together as they are getting near Mars. Scotty is prepared for what grim discovery they may find and looks forward to be on Mars. He is thrilled to see how they managed to survive on a barren planet without grassland or oxygen and what kind of storm had kicked up. He is really excited. More excited than the past few months because they are more closer to the planet than before. He admits wanting to find out if Mar’s soil can be used to plant crops. Jim gets another emergency message taped and sent, but this time, it’s baby David Kirk in Captain Pike’s arms. Jim, Grayson, Mitch, and Scotty all dawww at the baby. Jim makes a recording for David, after countless others made during the trip and before the trip but with the boys with him. Because he always felt he wouldn’t be around to hold him. Jim gets choked out telling him how much loves him and how he’ll kill whoever let his baby go go into space so early so god help him. Plus shouldn’t that be illegal? Jim sings happy birthday, with the other men acting as background singers, and he sings like an angel. Eventually, there is a scrap metal attack on the ship. Mitch goes outside to fix the hole. Scotty has to reboot the computer system. The oxygen level is going down and down. The first hole in the ship was repaired by Mitch thanks to Scotty getting hurt. Jim loses conscious after tossing a orange juice bag which is squirted open to find the next hole for Mitch, while Grayson calls him out, “Jim. Jim? Jim. Jim. Jim. Jim. Jim!” as gravity returns. He comes down to Jim’s level and shakes his shoulder. “ Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim.” As his voice gets panicked, terrified if his friend has just suffered asphixeration. Mitch gets the hole filled. Jim regains consciousness. “Jim.” Grayson finally says, relieved. Grayson smiles. Scotty calls Mitch in instead of letting him check the engines because they are getting near the planet and preparing for circular landing. They are in the cockpit when the engines start letting out a good portion of frozen fuel that floats to the rockets. The rockets are ignited. The ship is torn in half. The crew have to leave and take another portion to land. The crew zip on their mars suit attachments with extensive oxygen and with fuel. Scotty is the last to exit after much reluctance leaving the IXS Enterprise. Mitch DECIDES to be the hero who connects the supply module to the tether. He connects the device but his grip is lost due to the rate of speed he is going in space heading past the machinery. Grayson attempts to go after Mitch with his hook. The hook is too short. Grayson goes after Mitch. He is at the point of no return. Grayson shakes his head then unzips his helmet with a smile after telling him how much he cares about Grayson and is very endearing toward Grayson. “I love you, baby.” In order to save Grayson’s life. Grayson calls Mitch out, “Mitch! No, please, no.” He watches Mitch floating corpse in space with a smile and his face now ice. Grayson has a thousand yard stare then turns back as Jim has a horrified expression on his face while Scotty is emptying out the supplies they will not need from the module.

Captain Pike and co see the viewscreen of the Enterprise get lost near mars and presumably burn up. There is confusion in the room with voices and gasps and tears. Pike looks like he has lost all life sitting down into the chair. Pike is devastated for Baby David. Eventually is alarmed about the landing of the module by Ben Sulu. Life returns to Pike as he realizes what Jim had done. Our scene turns to Mars. They find the base. They enter the ship made home by Mars one. Grayson and Jim enter the ship to discover there is oxygen. Jim explores about while Scotty is working on the restoration part to unclog some generators. Jim unzips his helmet as does Grayson who is busy looking round for signs of life. Jim is in the greenhouse and he sees the uneaten one month anniversary treat. He notices the bowl of water which is amazing to him because how can someone get water from this planet? He takes the hair cover off. He feels someone is behind him. He turns around to see a bearded McCoy after him. Jim stops him from killing him by grabbing onto the pickax, “Your name is Leonard Horatio McCoy! We have been friends since middle school! You didn’t tell me you divorced, which hurts a lot, and, I am a father, David was born, and you are reading The Gods of Tev’Mek to your daughter. She is eleven years old waiting for her father to come home.” McCoy steps back lowering the device with tears in his eyes ,“My god Jim, you are real.” He drops the pickax and grabs Jim into a hug, weeping into his shoulder, Jim is relieved to see his friend, alive, again.

“Jim? Jim? Jim?” McCoy hears Grayson’s voice. Which he is not entirely sure is real or not. “Jim.” Minutes later, Grayson joins them. “It is pleasing to see you again, Leonard. I did not suspect your survival to be high.”  McCoy lets go of Jim turning away, “Why you rounded eared mute faker, so did I!”

Grayson raises his eyebrow, “I am not a mute nor am I fake.”

“My delusions of this guy did not say that.” McCoy said. “At least, he is real.”

Jim laughs. “That is true.”

McCoy looks in both directions.

“Where’s Mitch?” McCoy asks, as a long expression grew on Grayson’ s face.

Jim explains to him their trip to get here. Afterwards, McCoy brought them to the grave site and explains his side of the last few months with Scotty behind them. Scotty is impressed with how McCoy has been sticking around. He admires the plants. McCoy laments that Hikaru never got to see him tending to the damn plants. Grayson puts a hand on McCoy’s shoulder sending sympathy by touch with his gloves being unzipped. It all feels alien to McCoy being real and all. Let alone touched that way by Grayson, flinching, concerning the psi-telepath. McCoy then goes on  to show them what he discovered of what came out of the mountain after the awesome power and disaster. It’s a DNA strand. Jim thinks back to when he ate some of Scotty’s M&M’s. He tells them it’s a test. To see if they are human. McCoy points that previous attempt a failure which resulted in the deaths of three people. Grayson corrects him, “Four.”  “ What if it happens again?” Jim insists, “We can’t let their deaths be in vain”.  They have to make a addition to it in the same way the message/test was sent out. Jim insists it will never happen again and they will be the last explorers because Congress won’t like it. Scotty agrees,  “Aye.”  “My months of hell be worthin’ nothin’? I don’t think so.” They sent out the little rover after it.

The side of the face, now completely visible, is opened. Scotty stays behind to start the cockpit. The four manned rover is working thanks in part to Scotty and Grayson. Scotty hugs every single one of them, no arguments, no buts, no BS. Scotty makes himself cry so they get into a group hug around Scotty. Jim, McCoy, and Grayson leave. McCoy decides to tell Jim things he had kept back, some embarrassing stuff and some intimate stuff. “I love you, Jim, all the same. Never stopped lovin’ you.” Jim is so bright eyed he refuses to believe that they are going to die but he has Scotty aware to go if they don’t come back just in case.  They enter the  face. Detect oxygen. Unzip their helmets. Spock takes McCoy’s hand detecting fear from the man and to comfort him and reassure him, telepathically saying, “You are not alone.” They make it into a black room where they encounter a alien race.  A tall woman but male like figure. They learn Mars was struck by an asteroid, “There goes my nuclear war theory.“ McCoy grumbles. The planet was evacuated and everyone goes to a spiral galaxy except for the remaining survivor.

Grayson is in fascination as evolution of life Earth is shown, “Fascinating.” In interest and intrigue.

“This explains so much.” Jim adds.

The presentation ends showing modern day Earth. The alien humanoid looks over toward Grayson then reaches their hand out. Grayson nods in understanding. Jim realizes, they are all aliens. They came from Mars. Jim notes out loud that Carol was right all along. Grayson takes McCoy’s hand, McCoy takes Jim’s hand, and Jim takes the alien’s hand. Jim looks at her in awe and joy better than he was earlier. McCoy experiences utter joy which might be from himself or Grayson at the projection of more Earth like planets so far away yet close to their fingertips in front of them. Grayson has a telepathic conversation  with the alien human, which, he practically begs not to take Jim and instead himself. Himself in his friends place, McCoy needs Jim right now. He quickly relays their story to the alien and then they understand;. Their mind has been made, Grayson will stay.  Jim zips his gloves up and his boots too as they start to leave Grayson. The alien humanoid has vanished. Grayson announces he will not go with them. Jim and McCoy stop then turn toward Grayson. Jim comes to him and talks to Grayson regarding his decision.  Grayson hands the necklace that Mitch gave him to Jim since it should be his. Grayson assures Jim they will meet again, also, explains he does not belong to Earth due to his superior intellect,gift, and psi-positive. He is going where people like him will be welcomed. Jim and Spock share a final hug.

“Jim. . . Jim. . . Jim, I will miss you.” Jim is letting tears out. “It’s just going to be a while. Right?”

“Affirmative.” Grayson nods. “I will make sure of it.”

They end the hug. Jim and Grayson shake hands, exchange fond emotions and caring impressive feelings for each other. Tightly holding hands. It continues for too long, McCoy has to break their make out session  by reminding Jim that he’s on a goddamn planet destroying itself and they need to leave. McCoy and Grayson argue once they are confronting each other. Grayson says, “You are welcome.”

“For what?” McCoy is stumped.

“Not turning you in for euthanizing your father.” Grayson said.

“You are a smug bastard, Harold.”  McCoy said.

“Call me Spock for now.” Spock said.

“All ready ditchin’ yourself?” McCoy asked, sounding hurt. “That was quick.”

“This is a decision I did not make lightly.” Spock said. “I feel more alien than human, Leonard. For that, I cannot be that friend who comforts you. Jim excels at this when I cannot.”

“For a guy who hardly speaks, I see why you hardly do.” McCoy said. “Breakin’ my heart.”

“I cannot have one without the other.” Spock said. “Logically, I cannot have either.”

Grayson finally won an argument with McCoy. Jim has to drag McCoy away as he argues back, “YES. YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!” As he finally understands why Grayson is doing this to him.  To Jim of all people. McCoy needs some healing from those months being alone and Grayson is not the kind to heal around as he barely speaks on Earth. They make it on time before Scotty launches. Scotty is crying both relieved and saddened because Grayson is not with them and he was scared he would have to leave the desert planet alone. He gives the two men bear hugs. There’s a montage of Grayson befriending the three men in high school. Jim all legs and being a small book nerd. McCoy interested in helping others. Mitch interested in being an astronaut. Growing up. Falling in love. Falling out of love. Falling in love again with other people and not making a romantic relationship with them except for Mitch. All the good times in his life with his space family. His parents cheering him on to space, a retired diplomat and teacher. His life flashes before his eyes as the adaptable breathable water covers him entirely. The small face like craft jets out of Mars passing by the shuttle. McCoy looks out the window as Jim wishes him, “Have a good ride, Mr Spock.” Our scene shows the moon then it transitions down a year later at night under the stars where McCoy is in the tree house with Joanna telling her of their story. Joanna misses Grayson. So does McCoy. 

Jim comes out rubbing his hands together, “Dinner is ready!”

“We are comin’,darlin’!” He points in the direction that Grayson went and says,  “That’s his sanctuary home.” Jim goes inside. “One day, you and  David are goin’ to visit there and chew out Mr Spock for missin’ out on your birthday!” while tickling her.

“Stop it!” Joanna laughs.” Daddy!”

“If you say so.” McCoy stops.

Joanna climbs down. McCoy feels gratitude because he is better than he was all those months ago but he still has nightmares and with Jim, they will fade, into the darkness. He has one thing to say, “I miss you too, Harold. You had good intentions.”

McCoy is called by his daughter, “Daddy, dinner!”

“Bones,come inside, it is getting cold!” Jim calls.

And McCoy climbs down replying with, “I am comin’, darlins!” McCoy looks up to see a golden streak passing through the night sky and he slowly smiles, his eyes lighting up, then goes inside the house as the screen goes into space.

THE END.

[one-of-us-blog]

Bringing Up Baby (TGG, Season 3, Episode 3)

Today Eli is forced to watch and recap Bringing Up Baby, Episode 3 of the third season of The Golden Girls.  Will this episode make him squeal with delight, or leave him sadly longing for a different show?  Keep reading to find out…

First, a quick public service announcement: Did you know that every episode of The Golden Girls is now available to stream on Hulu?  No?  Well, get on that!  It makes watching and following along with this blog much easier!  Please note: One of Us! is sadly in no way sponsored by Hulu.

Next, I need to tell Jon that he did a great job with his Turn Left recap!  I have mixed feelings on the issue of previous companions moving in on Donna’s space.  It took me a while to warm up to Donna, but I really love her now, and agree that she is fully deserving of her own character arc.  I actually think she does get an arc that distinguishes itself quite a bit from any other companion in the show’s history.  But it is nice to see the return of an old friend from time to time and, unfortunately for Donna, this was still in the era of the show in which companions were generally limited to starring for a single season/series (with the exception of Rose, who got two), so it was kind of inevitable that those friendly faces would steal some of Donna’s time in the sun.  I agree it has probably happened a bit too much this season.  But that being said, I still feel this is a very strong season of the show, and I’m excited to see you finish it off!

Now, it’s time to recap an episode of The Golden Girls in which the gals are also joined by an unexpected companion, so let’s head to Miami!

Episode written by Barry Fanaro and Mort Nathan, directed by Terry Hughes

As the episode opens, Dorothy answers the front door to discover her mother returning home, uncertain of her location.  This is probably due to the fact that she has lost her glasses, which were supposedly broken at the mall (but may in reality have been broken in a street fight, or lost in a high stakes wager).  Sophia had a very hard time getting back to the house, and all of her attempts to use a pay phone just resorted in purchasing condoms.  Blanche is also present, concerned about which necklace compliments her dress to produce the “easy” effect for which she’s aiming.  Lastly, Rose enters the scene, returning home with some odd news.  Her uncle back in Minnesota has passed away, and in his will he left her custody of his baby.  His BABY?  The girls are a bit perplexed as to how to address the situation.  Blanche shows some concern for Rose, but mostly just ends up complimenting herself and manages to prompt a rare triple-take from Dorothy that would meet even the high standards of Sir Patrick Stewart.  Dorothy admits that she always wished for another chance with a child, and soon everyone (with the exception of Sophia) has caught a severe case of hypothetical-baby fever.  Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose take their enthusiasm to a different room, leaving the nearly blind Sophia to head to her bedroom; or, more accurately, to wander into traffic.

The next morning in the kitchen, Sophia wanders in and prepares to defecate on a chair right in the midst of her friends.  The girls alert her that she is not actually in the bathroom and she exits, blaming her new semi-blindness for the blunder.  Personally, I think she was just making a power play, as her sense of in-home geography would have to be pretty sketchy to believe she was actually entering a different room.  For that matter, her venture into traffic in the previous scene was likely also a part of this sick game.  Rose has been looking at old pictures, and Blanche has been worrying about the fact that the baby won’t have a male role model in its life.  The gals tell her not to be concerned, especially Rose, who confuses Dr. Spock with Mr. Spock and informs her that on Vulcan babies are born in pods, so what does he know about child-rearing anyway?  At last, a man arrives at the door introducing himself as the deceased uncle’s legal representative, and he’s here with “the baby.”  Only, as it turns out, “the baby” is actually Baby, a beautiful prized pig.  Surprise!  The pig was apparently the pride and joy of Rose’s uncle, and her farm nostalgia starts firing on all cylinders.  She is thrilled to have the pig with them, but the other girls are less than enthusiastic.  That is, until the man at the door informs them that Baby comes with an incentive of $100,000 in pigbucks, providing the gals can look after him until his dying day; and as it turns out, our new piggy friend is currently 29 years into a projected 25 year lifespan, and Rose is willing to split the money.  Welcome home, Baby!

We jump ahead in time a bit, to a scene in which Sophia is lounging on the lanai, still without her spectacles.  Baby wanders over to eat some of her food that was left at ground level, as Dorothy finally delivers a new pair of glasses with the wrong frames to her.  She looks like Buddy Holly might have if the music hadn’t died, but at least she can see!  We learn that, much to Dorothy’s dismay, Rose has been giving the pig free reign of the house.  She just loves having a pig around, but Dorothy is a bit more curious about when the oinker will shuffle off this mortal coil and head to the big slop pile in the sky.  Blanche is also fuming mad, as Baby tore up her nightgown and has shown a tendency to watch her shower.  Rose decides to call her family to see if someone else can take Baby off her hands, but Dorothy recalls that this would cost them the attached $100,000.  She and Blanche hastily change Rose’s mind to allow the pig to stay, and the two conspirators are forced to cut Sophia in on the deal along the way.  Once again we see Sophia’s incredibly subtle manipulation of events in play, as seconds after she is promised a $25,000 share, a suddenly sickly Baby collapses off screen.

Again, we cut ahead to the kitchen.  Rose is very sad about Baby’s current medical condition, and the girls attempt to comfort her; well, except for Sophia, who prefers to make sadistic ham jokes, and earns herself a wonderfully cold stare from Rose.  After Rose leaves, the other girls begin talking about their favorite subject again: the money.

Another jump forward, and Blanche, Dorothy, and Sophia have returned home from a shopping spree, on which they’ve spent some major pigbucks that they haven’t yet earned.  Rose reveals them that a veterinarian has come to see Baby, and the vet informs them all that the real issue is that Baby has a mental problem.  Simply put, he’s homesick.  Rose immediately plans to send Baby back to the farm but the gals jump in to convince her otherwise, complimenting her as a pig-keeper and overstating their own swine-related affection.  Rose eventually gives in and even thanks the girls for being the best friends ever.  This causes the girls to experience guilt, prompting another shopping spree to cheer them up a bit.

Next, we find Dorothy choked up in the kitchen, struggling with her feelings of guilt regarding the money and Baby’s welfare.  Blanche and Sophia have no such qualms, and have returned home with a new Mercedes.  Dorothy has resolved to tell Rose the truth about what they are doing and give back the money, but Blanche promises anything if she will contain herself, even offering up one of her sons.  Nevertheless, Dorothy makes her way to Rose’s bedroom.  Baby (or something vaguely pig-shaped) is lying in bed with Rose and still very sickly.  Dorothy comes clean, and when Blanche is convinced that Baby really is homesick and depressed, even her heart is melted.  They both feel awful and beg Rose’s forgiveness.  She is pretty upset on Baby’s behalf, and tells them that a kiss on the nose would be a good apologetic gesture.  They both proceed to kiss her on the nose, and this cheers her back up.  She could never stay mad at them!  The trio has all unanimously decided to send Baby back home where he’ll be happy, forfeiting the money.  Sophia, however, is not pleased about this turn of events, but once again was not consulted in the matter.

In the (almost) final scene, the gals are in the kitchen where Sophia finally has a new pair of glasses with the correct old lady frames.  She’s still moping quite a bit, and Dorothy tells her to get over it, even if she’s having her own problems coping with the loss of excess cash.  A letter arrives from Rose’s cousin, informing her that Baby was very happy to be back on the farm, and that this was a great time for him to spend his final hours…Baby has actually died, along with any hope the girls had of claiming the associated $100,000 (though honestly, that cousin is kind of a jerk for not offering up any of the cash given that Baby was back home for all of 36 hours).  The gals are all now really depressed, and even their new Mercedes is being taken.  Dorothy never even got to ride in it.  To cheer themselves up a bit, we get one more mini-scene in which the gals manage to take a ride in the new car, even if this occurs while it is being pulled away by a tow truck.

The End.

I enjoyed this episode, though not as much as the previous one, and definitely not as much as the perfect season opener.  Sophia managed to land some pretty good pig-related jokes and I loved seeing Rose’s enthusiasm for the new companion, but the missing glasses gag only really worked a couple of times and I couldn’t quite buy the way the $100,000 pig-stipend was administered and awarded only upon Baby’s demise.  This one is good for some chuckles, but it probably won’t be an episode I revisit very often once I’ve wrapped up the entire series.  I give Bringing Up Baby a score of 3.5 poofy hairdos out of 5.

Be sure to stop back in tomorrow as Jon nears the end of the fourth series of Doctor Who and treats us to a recap of The Stolen Earth, and I’ll report back in on Friday with my take on The Housekeeper, the next episode of The Golden Girls.  Until then, as always, thank you for being a friend, and for being One of Us!

[hellobluemeetsgreen-blog]

las’hark - MY NEW STORY ON AO3

I had a found a post on Tumblr on writing prompts for Supernatural and decide to apply it (with some changes) to Star Trek for a story. This story can also be found on AO3. by clicking HERE.    

Summary:   If there is one greater force in our lives that compels us to action, then it is love.

Chapter 1 The Eyes are the Window to the Soul Personal Log of James T. Kirk

Refrain from lengthy eye contact

Don’t think at length about his eyes. Don’t look into them for a very long time either. In fact, if you look into his eyes too long, look away as soon as you notice. Don’t compare them to chocolate, the soft fur of a teddy bear or any well-known attractive soft brown things.

+       +       +

It did not matter how long they had been working together, the best command team in the fleet and Jim felt there was still so much to learn about Spock.The first thing he noticed about the Vulcan was before the hearing as Jim requested to see the person who made such as claim on the cadet’s “cheating” the Kobayashi Maru was his eyes.

They were unlike a Vulcan, not hardened but soft and expressive yet dark and mysterious. It was if they were piercing the very soul of James T. Kirk. While at a distance Spock’s eyes seem dark and distant, Jim knew them to be on the contrary as soft and inviting. Eyes that clearly held intelligence but Jim knew they were more: eyes capable of love, capable of many emotions and incredibly sensitive for a half Vulcan. When Jim viewed those eyes again at the loss of Amanda Grayson, as Spock stood on the transporter pad. Jim felt the sadness and emptiness of those eyes with the loss of a mother Spock still needed whether he knew it or not.

Jim surmise the woman probably had seen in her son’s eyes all that her human legacy had given to Spock even if the young man displayed it or not. It was a comfort knowing her son held her eyes which displayed everything, his thoughts and feelings of sentiment. Spock had her eyes and Jim thought him even more beautiful because of it.

When in the heat of anger bent on harming Jim on the bridge of the Enterprise after returning from Delta Vega, he felt the intensity of those milk chocolate eyes as they looked into his.  It was as if no one else was on the bridge but just Spock and him.

Jim felt guilty pushing Spock well past the brink of being emotionally compromised. He felt even more ashamed it was the first moment of close contact between both men, How he wished it was some other moment which brought Jim’s emotions for the man to the forefront.

Now years later, Jim is still affected by those eyes. Sitting in the command chair, Jim looks down to his P.A.D.D.  where he views reports from the various departments.  It is a chore as Jim comes across countless errors and wonders if anyone ever took a grammar in primary school and then he sees it.  Spock’s report is punctual having never been sent in late, concise and to the point as always.

“Well Mr. Spock….” As Jim turns to thank his first officer who is seated at the science officer station, chocolate brown meet Bombay Sapphire blue.  Jim is speechless as tries to look away however the intensity of the pull is too strong and he can’t help but feel drawn to them. “Is there something you wish to convey Captain?” Feeling the swirling chasm of emotions on the edge of bursting, Jim attempts to swallow them down. “Think man, Think” “Mr. Spock has anyone ever informed you that you have brown eyes like chocolate, even like a teddy bear?” Jim whispers to himself however with Vulcan hearing Spock is able to detect it.

“Your report was satisfactory.” Jim offers instead.

Spock nods, aware he could ask the captain to clarify but refrains from doing so.  Humans have odd ways of communicating by offering what some consider impersonal so easily but have just as much difficulty conveying emotions as Vulcans.

Nyota was not one who held back such emotion when they were involved. She displayed her feelings out in the open as one would wear clothing for all to see. It was not a simple task for one such as Spock. Having heard there are individuals who bring out such emotion in others, Spock quickly thinks of the Captain. No other can bring Spock’s emotions to the surface like the Captain as a volcano on Nibiru. The volcanoes came about because the gravitational pull of the gas giants caused the core of the other planet to super heat. Spock knew he felt the human’s gravitational pull bringing about his own emotions he thought long since had been disciplined after hours of deep meditation. The Captain was able to unravel Spock in ways no one had. The Vulcan teaching of Surak never encountered James T. Kirk and if Surak had, Spock wondered what his forefather would have done? In that Volcano, Spock thought of the only one person and it was not Nyota… it was Jim. His thoughts were of those bright blue eyes filled with wonder, with imagination and life to go on without him. The Vulcan felt empty at such a thought.When the Captain saved his life, Spock tried to rationalize why would this man do so and found no logic to it. He did not understand why the Captain broke protocol in exposing the ship to the natives and in doing so went against the Prime Directive. It was not until the Captain saved the ship and crew from Khan, Jim risking his life life again but this time making the ultimate sacrifice knowing there was no coming back. As Spock runs toward the corridors leading to Warp Core in Engineering, he knows.. he feels something is wrong. Seeing Lt. Commander Scott’s face confirms it. Spock looks upon the compartment where Jim slowly crawls into. Kneeling Spock views the man he has befriended, the man he admired.   All that is heard is Jim’s erratic breathing no doubt brought on by radiation poisoning his body taking away what little life is left in the young man. Bombay Sapphire eyes once bright now shown dimly lit,  half open showing the weariness of his condition. Spock has never seen the human so frail. “How’s our ship?” Jim whispers. “Out of danger.” Spock replies. “Good..” Jim breathes out heavily. “You saved the crew” Spock confesses. “You used what he wanted against him.” Taking in what breath he can Jim adds, “That’s a nice move.” Spock leans in closer his voice breaking, “It is what you would have done.” Jim’s eyelids briefly close then open glazing into chocolate brown. “This is what you would have done.. it is only logical.” They are separated by glass but it does not separate the mixture of emotions felt between both men.  Pleading eyes into Spock and he cannot help be but be drawn into them. Why had he not seen it sooner? Why did he not acted on the man’s pull toward him? Jim looks like a frightened child more than a man as his face displays the fear inside. “I’m scared Spock.. help me not be.” Spock cannot hold back the tears which begin to form in his eyes. He never cried for the loss of his mother but now in this moment when faced losing the one person he feels a connection to,  the floodgates of emotion break through the rugged exterior of the half Vulcan. Never mind the Vulcan way, the teachings he has been taught to suppress them for Spock cannot…will not find logic in this. Waiting for his answer and when Spock remains transfixed on the scene before him Jim speaks again.“How do chose not to feel?” Spock shakes his head, eyes cast down in disbelief that he cannot stop the tears from falling, he is losing Jim. His voice cracking further, “I do not know.” Spock looks to Jim with a heavy heart breaking in his side at the thought this bright light of a man will cease.  “Right now I am failing…” Jim struggles as he tries to tell Spock,  “I want you to know why I wouldn't let you die… why I came back for you.” “Because you are my friend.” As Spock’s word left his lips, Jim begins to weaken further and each breathe is more difficult than the last. With what strength he has left. Jim raises his left hand and places his palm against the glass panel…fingers spread apart as the Vulcan would on occasion to wish the other long life and prosperity but Spock feels this is more than that.

Spock lifts his left hand and places his palm against his. Even though separated by glass, it does not separate the mixture of emotions felt between both men.

The movement feels as though it can last forever and then…a peacefulness is seen in Jim’s face. He is unafraid as he faces the unknown once again perhaps for the last time.  His eyes move toward Spock, holding on to him. Spock is transfixed unable to move though his heart is breaking.

With his last breath Jim’s lip curls in a small smile as if to let Spock know it is alright even though Spock knows it isn't. They say the eyes are the window to the soul and if that is so, Spock is gladdened to know he has felt the soul of Jim touch his life.

Jim’s hand falls away from the glass panel and Spock knows the once bright light that is James T. Kirk is no more, he feels more alone than he ever has in his life.

After reflecting on that day years ago,  Spock decides he will never look away from Jim’s eyes again. He will never turn away or shield his eyes away from the sun…his las’hark

.

[theweepingvulcan91]

Title: Dancing in the Memories of a Child of Two Worlds Rating: Mild self harm (striking one’s self) Pairing: Leonard McCoy/ T’lussek Word Count: 1854 Warnings: Minor Self Harm. Lots of mind freaks.  

“Leonard…”

T’lussek bolted from her bed in sickbay. What she had no idea was that she had been in that bed for three days. The Enterprise was sent to Andoria Prime where they were meant to deal with rouge Aenar. They were said to have been wiped out and yet the Andorians had been having issues with beings of great telepathic strength. These beings had been known to manipulate the minds of those weak enough. Hoping to utilize her telepathic and ambassadorial abilities Jim insisted that she go with them on the planet. It should've been a simple conversation on the icy planet that was until she was kidnapped. Somehow she was able to make it back to the captain before passing out. Groaning in pain her body was sore as if she had just been in a fight. From head to toe she felt as if she beaten. What she didn't realize was the fact that this Aenar inside of her was doing everything in its power to take control of her mind.

“T’lussek…doesn’t move. You’re still hooked up to the machines.”

Leonard helped her to sit up. He had been monitoring her for the three days she had been under. Watching her closely he needed to make sure that she was going to win this fight. The mechanism she was hooked too monitored all of her brainwaves passive and active. Through her conversations in her unconscious state he had gathered that one of the Aenar had taken control of her mind trying to take over her body. It needed a host with telepathic abilities in order to repopulate its race. He was obsessed with making sure that T'lussek was the one that won the battle.

“What….what happened?”

T’lussek jumped as she saw the flash of a sinister pale blue face. It hooked it slender fingers around her throat trying to snuff her life out. Letting out a piercing scream she grasped at her throat. Physically fighting off something that wasn't seen to anything but her the machines that were hooked to her head began to buzz as her brain activity was going off the charts. She began to shake as she felt Leonard take hold of her hands. He pulled her hands down to her lap as he tried to send a calming thought their bond.

“Focus on my voice. I’m right here T’lussek. I haven’t left you in the three days you've been unconscious. You’re safe T'lussek. You’re still fighting the Aenar out of your mind. I need you to squeeze my hands dear. We need to give you something to focus on.”

Leonard's voice was slow and calm as he began to stroke the back of her hands with his thumbs. A wave of a chill consumed her body as he touched her as it always did when she was uneasy.

One

Two

Three

Four

T'lussek took deep breaths with each passing count. For once she needed to find focus again. Though she may have been human there were times of great unrest for her mind that resulted in her need logic. After a few moments of deep breathing she opened her eyes and looked at Leonard. Those were eyes that cared for me not only as a patient but as a love. She thought to herself as she could feel his worry wash over her as she continued to take deep breaths. She hadn’t felt panic like this in some time.

“You’re awake…”

If T'lussek didn’t know better there was a hint of worry in her brother’s voice. Then again her brain felt like a scrambled egg. Seeing him past Leonard she smiled weakly. There was something to be said about the worry of her brother. Not only was there Spock but also Jim standing in the front of Sickbay.

“Yeah…guess I was strong enough…for now…”

T’lussek forced a chuckle. She knew Spock didn’t approve of her dark humor like this. And seeing the worry in Jim’s eyes didn’t help. She hated the fact that she knew Jim. Knew that even though she was okay and fighting through this he was thinking it was it was his fault she was in this condition. Flashes of his worried face as he called for the transporter room filled her mind. Closing her eyes she shook her head trying to push away the thoughts.

“I would like to try something with your permission T’lussek.”

Spock said closing the gap between them. Reaching out T’lussek brushed her hand against her brother’s wrist. It was nice to hear a voice that was real. No matter what she was grateful for the close bond she shared with her brother. Though they may have been raised in opposite ways their closeness was something that transcended all.

“Thank Surak you do. How on earth are you going to get this blue bastard out of my head?”

A burst chuckle escaped her lips. This was how she could always tell that she had been around Leonard too long. She always picked up his phrases when she spent too much time with him. Never using such words she knew it had to be him floating around in her mind. That was happening a lot. Moments of randomness appearing in her head with each passing minute. Some the past…some the present…and some not even hers. It was all she could do not to scream in the swirling void of memories.

“There is a ritual…”

“But is it the same as a Katra transfer?”

“It is not the same daughter.”

T’lussek turned to see the familiar face of her father. He was the last person she was expecting to see. Did he know about their trip to Andoria Prime? She thought to herself as she looked around to see if anyone else was around. It seems like everyone is going down to this party. She let out a soft giggle.

“Then how on earth shall you…”

“T’lussek!”

Amanda Grayson’s voice filled the air as she pushed her way past her husband and the other men to her daughter’s bedside. Letting out a sigh of relief she was glad...no ecstatic to see her mother. Flashes of her reading Alice in Wonderland was the thing that kept her focused. Amanda always held a strong focus in her activities whatever they were.

“Why is the raven…like a writing desk?”

T’lussek reached up and brushed her mother’s cheek with her fingers. Her sunken cheeks pulled back into a smile as she tried to calm down her mother. There was something to be said about the worry in her mother's voice. Having not heard much of it as a child it was wonderful to hear it now.

“I’m fine Mother. I just have an extra piece to my puzzle.”

As T’lussek giggled she could feel the glare of her family and friends around her. She knew that they didn’t like her making such jokes especially at her own expense. It was something she had learned to do very early on as to make sure people were comfortable with her.

“It was her simple attempt at humor my wife; an illogical coping mechanism.”

“You’re the one being illogical Father. Coming here and not speaking about a solution to this problem”

She normally loved seeing the compassion that her parents had provided one another, but now was different. Now she was sitting here waiting for him to fix her brain. She had hopped the slight annoyance in her tone was not that noticeable.

“T’lussek! There is no need for this. They are only making light of your dark humor.”

The stern tone of Leonard McCoy filled her ears. Looking to her lover’s eyes she was shocked at his response. A bit of shame filled her mind. She knew that there was no reason for her to have snapped at her father. She smiled seeing Leonard raise his standard two fingers at her.

Thank Surak he remembered the Ozh’esta.

Normally they were not so reserved with their affections. That was the greatest part about being half human; she could kiss her love amongst other things whenever she wanted to. Now was different. Now she stood in front of not only her brother but her father as well. Normally she enjoyed messing with Spock but she would not disrespect her father any more than she already had.

“It is essentially a meld technique in which your brother, Dr. McCoy, and I will enter your mind and dissolve the link between you and the foreign entity.”

“How can Leonard participate Father? He is not a telepath.”

T’lussek asked with a sharp tone. Not that rituals couldn’t be held using non telepaths, but it seemed quite odd to her. Normally her father even now was the first to keep things amongst the family private.

“No he is not, but he does have a bond with you T’lussek. And that bond you share will help us separate you from that entity.”

Sarek’s tone his regular coolness as he walked closer to his daughter. Looking into his eyes she couldn’t help but let a soft smile grace her features. She knew that her father cared. It was just different to see such emotions in his features. Her eyes winded as she saw Christine looking at her in the corner. She couldn’t believe that everyone was here. Both chosen and biological family was here trying to find a way to help.

“I am here to help get the boys into trance.”

Amanda said softly as she reached up and cupped her daughter’s cheek. Having learned all of the skills needed to head the house of Surak Amanda was more than capable to do these rituals. T’lussek used Amanda as a focal point in her own logic. If her mother could function in the Vulcan hierarchy then so could she.

“Is it necessary? They are after all some of the greatest telepaths on Vulcan…”

Though T’lussek didn’t know a lot about the rituals of her home world it seemed odd that they would need help inducing a trance. Maybe it is because of Leonard? She thought to herself as she looked at the people in the room. Seeing all of the worried faces began to shift into the whitish blue of the Aenar T’lussek began to panic. Her breath ragged as she pulled her hands away from her mother and began smacking the sides of her head.

“GET IT OUT!!”

T’lussek screamed as she continued to hit her head. Leonard looked at Christine as she bolted to gather a hypo for the doctor. Feeling all of the hands of Spock and Jim trying to hold her she tried her best to fight back. What they didn’t know was that she wasn’t seeing her family; she was seeing the Aenar reaching for her. Christine handed Leonard the hypo and he quickly injected T’lussek with a tranquilizer.

“Don’t let them get me…”

T’lussek said trying to fight off the last bit of fear before hitting the biobed hard. Spock looked to his father with a deep worry in his gaze.

“We need to get her planet side now!”

[speedygal]

Old Married McSpirk daddy daycare au

Essentially, it’s a daddy day care au.

Except it starts out like this: McCoy and Jim feel the house is empty, having finally retired themselves after a hundred plus years in star fleet, and since Spock is the one traveling about, it occurs to Spock that they should open  a daddy day care. At first McCoy falls over laughing. Jim’s eyes brighten and he understands the concept. Daddy Daycare was a movie that heavily had Galaxy Quest references in it involving two men taking care of children because they were fired from their jobs. It’s a cinematic classic. To McCoy, it sounds like a daycare for the fathers and taking care of them. Spock explains what he means with some prodding from Jim. And explains that McCoy and Jim should be responsible for it. McCoy humors him by going out and getting their daddy daycare certified and child proofed. McCoy has heavy doubts that it will even work. Jim and  McCoy have sign ups ready. They have a large apartment that is old and creaky and looks beautiful from the outside. The house reminds Jim of his childhood home. Eventually, a bunch of Klingon officers and Andorians come in “HERE, TAKE MY KIDS!” and some don’t even sign up at all just leave their children on the sidewalk with a padd regarding contact information. Including a few humans who believe hanging out with two legendary star fleet officers will do good for their children.

McCoy’s gray hair turns white evidently during the week. One of their old crewmmates,Pavel, drops by for a visit and entertains the children after failed attempts by McCoy. McCoy asks if he likes entertaining children. Pavel, retired security admiral with almost nothing to do, replies with ‘YES’. Hikaru  hears about the mayhem when Pavel gets home. Spock checks in occassionally from his diplomatic mission and gets Jim’s word on it, “It’s fine! We are loving it!” with a dangling tv set behind him that a 3 year old Klingon child is climbing. Jim is alerted to it by Spock then he ends the conversation and goes after the little wild girl. One of the children finds a beehive nest when Spock comes home from one of his diplomatic missions and poor McCoy wacks it down and gets chased by the bees. Spock manages to move the beehive to a safe location to a beehive farm followed closely by the bees. Jim finds McCoy hiding in the closet with bug spray and he uses it on Jim by accident.  At the eyes. Spock supervises the children while McCoy is helping Jim getting the bug spray out of his eyes. They go on field trips.  Spock is finding McCoy’s new grayed hair utterly fascinating and he loves it. Spock helps them with the organizing field trips by date, time, and hour. McCoy gets the supplies while they are living off their retirement pension and he balances it out. They get a child out of their batman costume without pestering and allow them to be themselves, but when they take it off McCoy and Jim are running around the house looking for the boy while he is in the kitchen eating cookies when Spock is taking a brief break from his Ambassador duties.  And Spock is like, “The child is right here, t’hy’lara’ through their link and he gives the Klingon child some more milk to his request. The kids really enjoy the company of McCoy and Jim.

One day in the morning, two star fleet officers arrive with long looks on their faces. Jim answers the door and learns one of the children lost their parents in a air-car accident. McCoy is making sure a Deltan child doesn’t pull a kid’s hair as a symbol of their affection because they don’t like it. The officers have the now orphaned child isolated from the rest and informed. But that relatives will come to pick them up. Before they close that night, McCoy tightly hugs the child and tells them not to forget. This relative came from Australia and takes the child with them. McCoy is more than over joyed when Spock gets back from his diplomatic missions and he grumbles most of the night away. Jim and Spock shower McCoy in kisses. They have a entire schedule devoted to when Daddy Day Care is not open so they can have some breathing room and repair the damage the children had done. Pavel is looking up ways to entertain children f different civilizations since five bajoran children are added and one Cardassian. Spock retrieves more Dr Lazarus,Commander Tawny,and Commander Taggart dolls including Meechan dolls after the children tear the old ones up after rough play. Jim cooks around the house. McCoy is the one who puts the house together though he does have to call a Klingon house repair shop. No one knows that Lt cmnder Worf is the reason why McCoy knows the Klingon House Repair shop. McCoy tyhink’s he just came across them on the web. In their free time, Jim often times reads novels and McCoy does crossword puzzles. Spock meditates. But when it comes to putting a stubborn child refusing to take a nap,they call in Spock when he is in the middle of a diplomatic conference. Spock’s the one who reassures his aging husbands that they are still as majestic as he met them and beautiful when they have angst. Jim’s got some aging issues that they are still working out. McCoy often finds the childnren crowded around Jim when he has a novel in his hand and they are all asleep.  McCoy finds himself worrying about everyone’s health and has a secret stash of hypos which he refills weekly because they do come in handy.

Jim and McCoy compete against a very academic pre-school, which they don’t actively compete against, and OH YEAH. IT’S KOLOTH ALL RIGHT LEADING IT. Jim is thrilled to hear his old rival is still going strong. Eventually half of the students from Koloth’s pre-school go to Jim’s daddy day care and it’s a madhouse. McCoy agrees. They end up struggling to find a way  to handle this new situation. Pavel suggests a big building once used as chuck-e-cheeseys joint and he goes with Jim and McCoy during daddy day care’s off days. They end up finding the price and it’s twice their pension and ohmygodisithauntedwhywoulditcostthatmuch? Koloth is heavily enjoying the lack of responsibilities and goes to Risa. His assistant,his protoge, Kar’li, manages to get Koloth off as the director and intervenes in any means possible to draw the parents and children back which means thwarting the fund raiser. Pavel and Hikaru help in the fundraiser  including a few cadets who had dropped off the children in the beginning. McCoy enjoys it as does Jim. Spock isn’t there as there is a conflict between the Tellarites and Romulans regarding some Ambassador being kidnapped and some treaty being broken. Spock has decided that is his last negotiation and Ambassador Picard will replace him. When he returns to Earth, he finds the house isn’t covered in children. In fact,noticably, there’s something wrong about it. He goes to the backyard to find McCoy and Jim on the porch sitting alongside each other having a good cup of eggnog several months early than they should have it. Apparently, the fundraiser was a total disaster. Hikaru and Pavel went to Russia for some down time. The cadets have recently graduated and been assigned to starships and what not. Some star fleet officers had to move because of a new assignment (which,the parents claimed, was heavily unexpected) and it’s getting near to their anniversary so Spock plots a get away to Risa with his husbands and tell them the good news that way. Koloth returns to find the pre school is full to the brim by children.

Koloth’s reaction:

and-ohmykahlesswhoclosedtheadmiral’sdaddydaycare?thisdoesn’thavetheroomforthismanykids

His protoge is not bothered and informs him the tables have turned. Koloth feels this pre school has lost it’s honor. Koloth leaves but not without planting evidence of it being unkept due to some loyal instructors. He comes across Uhura, after his fifth unauthorized visit, still admiral of linguistics who is here to see the place she heard about it so often. He tells her everything is rotten by the inside. Uhura enters with a biased perspective and sees it for what it is. Spock pampers Jim while McCoy is pampering himself by getting a relaxing back massage. It’s only later Spock informs them that he is retired. McCoy tells Jim owes him fifty federation credits. Jim reluctantly hands him the credits with a sigh of defeat. Spock is stumped. McCoy explains it was only a matter of time before he, himself, retired, since it was only six months ago they retired.  Sarek had been requesting that he get himself a grandchild before he goes and McCoy and Jim was thinking of finally having the house crying because their child is making a mess of it. They both agree to enjoying taking care of children and the baby will have to be made in a tube, only if Spock wants it. Spock, undoubtedly, wants one.

They figure out which one of the humans gives a DNA sample because:

‘Noyouarenotdumpin’thischildasmineonme.iallreadygotoneasitisbreathing downmynecktowritemywill.’

and Jim wants their child to have McCoy’s eyes. As does Spock. McCoy refuses to give his  DNA just for his damn baby blue eyes. They plead, McCoy refuses. Spock and Jim play a game of cat and mouse for the DNA sample during their vacation. McCoy is winning.  McCoy is hoping they give up and decide to have a spirk child. Because a baby version of Spock would make him melt as would baby Jim. AND HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BABY WITH Jim’s eyes. When McCoy leaves the sweet, Spock and jJIM tear the room apart looking for any piece of McCoy’s hair. “i think I found it!” “no jim that is your hair.’ ‘ah damn’ Spock comforts Jim regarding the closure of their business because they didn’t have the room for their expanding business and knows how miserable the man is. They share a intimate mind meld and allows Spock to see what happened. Spock notices a suspicious Klingon and Bajoran working together,who he had seen on his visits earlier,in the memory and puts it aside for the time being to be there for his t’hy’la in his time of need because telling him it was set up right now would be illogical and hurtful to finishing the grief process of the fundraiser failing. Hours later,McCoy still hasn;’t come back. So they go search for him only to find he is taking care of some kids on a fieldtrip on Risa  because their chaperon/guide is sick. It is so adorable and sweet. Spock and Jim join taking the kids to various parts of Risa. Including going through  beautiful mountain on a ride and exploring its caverns when the rde malfunctions.  Spock keeps track of the headcount while McCoy makes sure the kids wounds are wrapped up using a knapsack.

A certain entity pops up and leaves as a toddler with McSpirk  while it does some errands. The baby is nicknamed Dennis the menace by McCoy and Jim and Spock adore the child. They stay an extra week on Risa waiting for the toddler’s father to come back and pick him up. McCoy hears the two year old crying then makes his way  to the bedroom to find a figure there. He turns the lights on to see it’s the toddlers father.  Q apologizes for being so late and that Mister Garak took longer than usual. McCoy is unfamiliar to that name. Q picks his son up then tells him the year is going to get better.  And leaves in a flash of light. McCoy finally decides to make his will once they reach Earth. He leaves several of his belongings for a medical history museum in Georgia and allows his likeness to be put up after his death and he thinks of everything including if he dies where does this hypothetical child goes if Spock and Jim are gone.  He lists Christine Chapel and Nyota Uhura.   McCoy decides to continue his autobiography of his life. The crazy thing is people are interested in a historical biopic based on Leonard McCoy. He discovers this when his agent comes forward and asks him if he would like it if the book was turned into a series of historical biopics. McCoy complains that there should be a biopic based on Jim and Spock,which the agent replies with ‘the camera crew is coming over for the ending’. McCoy agrees on the terms that they keep it real and no sugar coating. The agent agrees.

Spock sues Koloth’s former assistant on defamation of business. Jim wholeheartedly supports it after learning about it and so does McCoy. Koloth approves, as well. Spock ruin’s the assistant’s credibility. The academic pre school is closed on grounds that it isn’t safe for children. Spock raises their prices for them being filmed without McCoy’s knowledge because it’s their character they are filming and their story. And it’s perfectly logical. Koloth apologizes to Jim for his assistant’s behavior and that he has opened a self defense class in Boston and thinks it is going to fair better. Jim takes every opportunity to suggest Koloth’s place of business when the camera crew comes over. Their child is being made at this time in a tube. McCoy finishes his biography nine months later with the lines, “And here I am, living with the two insane men  I ever met in my life. That’s the best retirement package I never expected. And soon, there’s going to be five people in this house. Yes, twins. Hi twins, no, we did never call you baby aliens in fish tanks. Who said we did?” Christine and Nyota visit with Scotty,Pavel,Hikaru, and Rand and Demora and Joanna and Saavik and David and T’Pring and Riley visit on the day the twins come home. Spock  took the time to baby proof the entire house overnight after winning the suit. The twins are boys. and they are Jason N. Kirk  and S’Chn T’Gai-Kirk Hinek (who has the ears and Vulcan physiology). Jim reveals they named Jason after Peter Taggart’s actor, Jason Nesmith. Hinek opens his eyes and--McCoy is scratching his head because how did they get his DNA? Baby blue eyes and black mess of hair. Spock will never spill his secret. Jim reveals, that they took the opportunity to make a baby with three parents because hell it’s possible, why not? Spock has done the probability of which one has brown,black, and gold hair. He concludes Jason will look resemble Spock and Jim simultaneously and Hinek will look like a mix of himself and bones but mostly Bones. He stresses just how much McCoy is in the child. T’Pring knows what hinek means and congratulates them and McCoy has no clue what it means. Rand congratulates them.

Eventually, everything settles down and Spirk’s loving, beautiful biopic is released. Spock goes up and uses  the federation credits to purchase the big abandoned building then furnaces it up while McCoy does interviews for his biography and Jim gets interviews for the biopic. Spock is getting the building ready for the surprise they have in store for the doctor and reopens it as McSpirk Daycare. He does this while his husbands are busy. McCoy is busy taking care of the twins while Jim does the shopping and Spock doing what’s best. Jim gets everything of everything of everything. Basically, back up of back ups of back ups. Too many in fact because he got back into the habit of taking care of little children. Spock comes back  while the twins are asleep and tells them,”this year is going to be excellent.” He brings them to the building while Wesley Crusher is babysitting the twins while they go check out the building. Jim has McCoy’s eyes covered and they go in and let McCoy see what they had been doing this all for. McCoy loves it. The scene transitions to a few years later with the twins playing with other children. Hinek is playing doctor,passionately. Jason is playing scientist with Klingon children and Cardassian children and Ferengi. He is very frank and displays leadership skills. Spock and Jim are speaking with Garak and Bashir regarding their child’s recent activities to the side regarding a few . . , discrepancies they made and how they exaggerated Garak. McCoy is reading a children’s book to a bunch of Betazoids, Humans, and Vulcan hybrids and Romulan hybrids. Pavel’s role of sockpuppets has been taken over by Hikaru as Pavel is sick. Scotty is their reliable friend who drives the children to fieldtrips on his lucky bus he nicknamed Enterprise that he painted in the colors of. Christine and Uhura somehow got involved and went to Illinois to begin a joint operation called mommy daycare associated with MCSPIRK daycare since they have retired. Scotty meets a alien named Keenser inbetween the time jump and the are best pals and he is currently friends with a aged Jaylah who he drives to the academy for her ‘scheduled’ ‘house’ visit. Koloth’s business is soaring. Spock is happy. Jim is happy. McCoy is happy. McCoy said it once, and he will say it again this is the best retirement package he got unexpectedly. The children love McSpirk daycare.

End AU.

Wow, this became longer than intended