The air was slightly chilled, though to Spock, it seemed absolutely frigid. He strode down the busy street, wind turning the tips of his ears and cheeks a slight emerald color. There were throngs of people bustling about the streets preparing to celebrate the Terran holiday, Christmas. Spock didn't know much about Christmas, what he did know having come from his mother. She absolutely loved everything about the winter season. His father deemed it illogical, but, for Spock, those memories were cherished. The trill of his communicator brought Spock out of his thoughts. He promptly answered.
"This is Spock."
"Spock." came the deep voice in response. Spock knew that voice instantly.
"Stonn." he greeted.
"Have you boarded the shuttle yet?" Stonn inquired.
"Negative. I am on my way."
"Contact me when you have." Abruptly, Stonn ended the call. If Spock were fully human, he would have been surprised, maybe offended. As it were, he was half Vulcan. Logically, he knew that Stonn was simply being just that. Vulcan. Still, part of Spock, obviously the human part, wished that Stonn would be more relaxed. In all of the Terran stories his mother read to him as a child, marriage was between two people who were passionately in love with each other. He was supposed to marry Stonn in June. There was nothing passionate about his relationship with the older Vulcan. The Vulcan part of Spock told him that this union was logical. Bringing their two families together would help both parties back on his home world. When Spock left Vulcan for Earth, he knew that he had disappointed his father and shamed his family name. By marrying Stonn, he would ensure that honor was restored to his family and, just maybe, make his father proud of him. It was illogical, but it was what he hoped, all the same.
~x~x~x~
"C'mon, c'mon! We're gonna miss the flight!" yelled an exuberant blonde as he ran down the street, dodging passersby left and right.
"Yeah, yeah." grumbled his companion. Jim Kirk turned his head to smirk at his friend. "Watch out where you're going, fool!" Leonard McCoy yelled.
"Aw, c'mon Bones! I'm as agile as a cat!" As he laughed, he came to an abrupt halt, slamming into a random holiday shopper, sending them both to the ground. When Jim righted himself, he looked down to see a pretty brunette with her shopping bags strewn across the sidewalk.
"Well, hello there." he said in his flirty voice. Leonard rolled his eyes and helped the woman to her feet.
"This way, Casanova." he said, dragging Jim away by the arm. Leonard didn't let go of the blonde until they reached the shuttle terminal. They checked in and, by the time they reached the waiting area, the shuttle was already boarding. They got in line, ready to make the Christmas trip from San Francisco to Manhattan, New York.
~x~x~x~
Once he had boarded the shuttle, Spock quickly found his seat and strapped in. He pulled out his communicator and messaged Stonn. This was a very important trip he was making. He was flying to New York to meet Stonn's parents for the first time and spend Christmas with them. He was hoping to make a good impression on his soon-to-be in-laws. Getting a short and to the point response, Spock put his communicator away and looked up. When he looked to the side, he locked eyes with the man beside him, staring into the most beautiful, vibrant blue eyes he had ever seen. Spock felt his cheeks flush slightly before he was able to control himself.
"Hey. Name's Jim." the man said cheerfully, breaking the silence. He stuck out his hand for Spock to shake. The man beside Jim scoffed at his friend.
"Vulcans don't do touch, Jim." he said. The blonde's smile fell as he stared at Spock.
"Oh. Sorry."
"You do not have to apologize." Spock spoke for the first time. Jim smiled shyly and turned to stare ahead. Moments later the attention of the three men was diverted to the seat next to Leonard. A pretty blonde woman sat down next to him and turned, smiling.
"Hello." she greeted with an obvious accent.
"Well, hello there." Leonard drawled, southern accent growing thicker. Jim rolled his eyes and grinned at Spock.
"I'm Carol Marcus. You are?" she asked.
"Leonard McCoy and this buffoon is Jim Kirk." Leonard answered, jerking his thumb at his friend.
"Hey!" Jim exclaimed, indignantly. Carol just laughed slightly and leaned forward so that she could see Spock, who was looking on with curiosity. She brought her hand up and separated her fingers in the ta'al. Spock returned the gesture.
"Spock." he introduced himself simply.
"Nice to meet you." Leonard looked from one to the other then to Jim.
"Now that's how you greet a Vulcan." he said. Jim just huffed like a petulant child. Spock decided that this was going to be a long and taxing ride, sitting beside Jim Kirk.