The Promise

by coffee666

As children, Jim and Spock promised they would get married when they grew up. Jim thought it was just a silly joke between kids. When they meet again upon the Enterprise, Spock still expects Jim to fulfill that promise. K/S. Slash. COMPLETE.

3. Chapter 3

Summer in Riverside was quite different than summer on Vulcan. Spock quickly realized that, as well as realizing everyday was an opportunity to learn something. Even with the privilege of getting to sleep in, as humans said, Spock still found himself waking up much earlier than Jim.

He spent this time meditating on the floor. Utterly unmoving and with shallow breath, Jim once confessed he thought Spock had fallen asleep sitting up.

He also wrote to his mother and father. It was quieter than calling, and emails meant they could read it on their own time. He still called his mother as much as possible, but he noticed his father was usually at work when he had the time to do so.

Spock's emails detailed the leisurely activities he and Jim did, such as playing hide-and-seek in the cornstalks, and swimming in the creek. Spock was quite reluctant to get into what seemed like dirty water, but he also did not want Jim to call him a baby.

In addition to emails, Spock kept reports on every instance of fascination, and there were a lot. Every day, Spock fed and weighed his namesake, the chick. Spock the chick was growing at a healthy rate and soon was large enough to hop down from his roost and follow Jim and Spock around the yard. Jim liked to pretend it was their baby and they were the parents. Spock the chick was much more compliant than Tabby the cat, who bared her claws when Jim was too rough.

But nothing was as fascinating as Jim.

Jim had proficient knowledge of every sport. He taught Spock how to play baseball, and even though they could hardly play a real game with just two of them (three, when Sam felt nice enough to join them), Spock still found it quite enjoyable.

Jim had a surprising amount of knowledge in the strategy involved. Spock had the unsurprising ability to home runs easily. Jim finally had to tell him that if he insisted on hitting the ball so hard, he'd have to be the one to go get it.

Every moment Jim's attention was off of him, Spock's PADD was out, documenting something about his fascinating human subject.

Jim Kirk enjoys an unhealthy amount of syrup on his pancakes.

Jim Kirk is a master at chess, but he uses a strategy I have yet to understand.

Jim Kirk finds comfort in holding a stuffed dog while he sleeps. He does not know that I know this.

Jim Kirk has blue eyes. This is a rare trait in humans. It is considered beautiful.

Spock had no qualms with writing this, as he was the only person who was ever going to read it. He knew he could hardly become a published scientist by writing about a human boy, but he could not help how Jim fascinated him.

"Are you writing about me again?"

It was late June. Spock was sitting on the wooden swing on the back porch. He'd been watching Jim attempt to build an obstacle course for Spock the chick, but it was evident that the chick was not going to jump through hoops.

"No." Spock lied, dropping his eyes down to his PADD.

"Yes, you are. I can tell because you keep looking over at me when you write. What do you do that for anyways? Are you sending that to other people?" Jim sat beside Spock and began to gently rock the swing.

"No. This is just for… practice." Spock quickly closed it so that Jim could not read over his shoulder.

"Practice for what?"

"For my career in science." Spock said.

"That… I should have known." Jim laughed. "I should have known that's what you wanted to be. It's the perfect job for a nerd like you."

Spock did not know if that was a compliment or not, but he decided that it had to be. After all, Jim displayed many nerdy qualities himself, one being that he actually enjoyed when Spock read aloud to him from some of his science books.

"My parents are pleased that I already have a career decided. I do not suppose humans choose so early. I am sure you do not have one, do you?"

"Wrong!" Jim imitated a loud buzzer. "I know exactly what I'm gonna be!"

"You do?"

"Yep! I'm gonna be a stunt driver! On either motorcycles or cars. Maybe both. I'll be in movies, and stuff. It'll be so cool." He grinned.

"Do you know how to drive a car?" Spock asked. Vulcans needed to be at least fourteen years of age to get a license. Spock figured the age would be even higher here.

"Sort of." He averted his gaze. "Hm… follow me. I wanna show you something."

He got down from the swing and Spock followed. They walked around to the other side of the house to the garage door. Jim dropped to the ground and began pulling up the metal door. It only budged a fraction of an inch.

Spock quickly went to help, moving it about a foot. Jim squeezed under the gap and a moment later, flipped the switch the open the door all the way.

Spock had never been in the Kirk's garage. Winona's truck was always parked in the driveway. There was a door to the garage in the kitchen, but that was always locked. Spock did not expect to see a shiny red car sitting in the middle of the garage.

"Cool, right?" Jim seemed to be looking for some sort of reaction from Spock.

"It is red." Spock was unsure what to say. Obviously, this was important to Jim, but Spock was not very good at knowing what to say all the time.

"It was my dad's. It's a really nice kind." He walked around the side and Spock followed. "Old too, but he was obsessed with keeping it up."

Hidden behind one of the back tires was the key. Jim unlocked the car and got in the driver's seat. Spock got in the back seat.

"What are you doing? Sit up front." Jim said.

"I am not tall enough to sit up front." Spock replied.

"We're not gonna really drive, you dork." Jim rolled his eyes. "You don't even have to wear a seatbelt."

Spock got out and went to the front. He got in and resisted the habitual urge to reach for the seatbelt. It was strange to sit up front. The console and dashboard seemed so ancient compared to what Spock was used to.

"You plan on doing stunts in this?" Spock asked.

"Hell no. Not this. It's too nice. My mom would freak out. She won't even let us sit in it. She'd freak out if she saw us now." Jim put his hands on the steering wheel and grinned. Spock noticed that Jim was too short to see over the steering wheel, and his feet did not reach the pedals.

"Then this is for sentimental value?" Spock asked, making sure to keep his hands to himself.

"Yeah." He sighed. "Frank tried to sell it. I think that was the final straw for my mom. He tried to fire O'Malley and sell all our animals too. I started freaking out, cuz I love those animals. Then he started calling me names and stuff."

Spock was silent. He knew nothing of what happened when Jim's mother was married and he never asked. Jim had brought it up before, but never like this.

"He tried to take the car…but I wouldn't let him. I laid down on the floor in front of it. I told him he'd have to run me over if he wanted to take it!" Jim gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Did he…try?" Spock was not sure he really wanted to know the answer.

"Kinda." He revved the engine, but then Sam pulled me out of the way. "My mom told him to get the hell out of the house and she was calling the cops. Then he tried to hit her. But, like, she's in Starfleet. She's got combat training. She kicked his ass. Then she sent us upstairs to pack."'

"Pack?"

"For San Francisco. We went to stay there a little while with Uncle Pike. I usually like going there, but that time I could tell my mom was really sad. And the snow made it to where I thought it'd be too cold to play outside." He looked over at Spock and smiled. "Then I saw you outside. You were trying to climb up the slide the wrong way."

Again, Spock was silent. That was quite a lot to take in. The fact that Jim was sharing that with him made Spock feel special. Jim knew he could trust Spock with anything. Spock could handle almost anything Jim wanted to tell him, Spock just did not always know how to respond.

"I am sorry that happened to you." Spock said. He did not like the idea of Jim getting hurt at all. He felt oddly enraged at the thought. That was very unVulcan. It was also unVulcan to keep touching Jim's hand, but he did it anyways.

He reached over and placed his hand on top of Jim's. Immediately his grip slackened from the wheel and he dropped his hand to the space between their seats. Spock kept his hand on Jim's.

"Yeah. I… hate him. I know he's never coming back, but I still get worried sometimes. I mean, he knows where we live. He could just show up if he wanted."

"Your mother will not let that happen." Spock was sure of that.

"It still bothers me."

"I understand." Spock knew that even though there was no way Stonn would ever try to hurt him again now that their instructors knew to keep an eye on them, but he still worried. After all, there was an entire planet outside the school grounds for Stonn to catch him in.

"Wanna see something else?" Jim opened the glove compartment and took something out. It was a case full of pages and pages of CDs. "There's a CD player in here. You know, my dad collected these. Some are really old."

"Classical music?" Spock had never seen a compact disc before. All the music his parents had was digital. It must have taken a while to find all of these.

"Yep." Jim took one out and put it in the CD player.

Spock could tell it was classical based on the use of electric guitar and loud lyrics. This was not the sort of thing that Spock's parents approved of. Sarek was always wanting Spock to listen to classical Vulcan music. It was quite different.

"You enjoy this music?" Spock asked loudly, resisting the urge to put his hands over his ears.

"Sure, it's cool!" Jim got out and walked around the other side to open Spock's door. "Come dance with me."

"Vulcans do not dance." Spock said. Despite this, he got out and stood in front of Jim.

"Sometimes your species sounds so lame." Jim sighed. He began dancing circles around Spock. Spock just stood still, his hands behind his back, as he watched. Humans were so odd. He'd have to put this in his research.

Only Spock could hear the sound of the door to the kitchen unlocking over the sound of the music. Winona stood in the doorway and sighed.

Jim froze and turned to face her. His innocence was not very believable, since both car doors were still open. Spock froze as well. If Winona was going to freak out, as Jim had put it, then Spock was not sure what he was going to do.

"Oh, you guys can keep dancing if you want." She smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "I love that song too. Your father had no shame and would dance around this whole house…sweeping me off my feet." She seemed to be looking at something very far away, and sighed.

"Vulcans don't dance." Jim repeated what Spock had said. "Not even salsa." He attempted it before putting his hand near Spock's ear and loudly snapping his fingers. Winona laughed and took her sons hands. Jim balanced on her feet and she danced with him.

Spock managed a small smile as he watched them. He wondered if his mother could dance, and perhaps she gave it all up when she got to Vulcan. She used to pick him up all the time before he got too heavy. Could he have danced on her feet too?

"What the heck is all the noise?" Sam stood at the doorway to the kitchen and watched his mother and brother dancing.

"Dance party." Jim said.

"Are you using Dad's CDs?" He looked at Winona.

"Duh." Jim rolled his eyes.

"You're letting him do that?" Sam asked Winona.

"Well, they'd just collect dust otherwise. It's nice to use them once in a while…and remember." She let go of Jim's hands and leaned against the car. "You boys weren't touching the steering wheel, were you?"

"Nope." Jim said quickly.

Spock shook his head. He had not touched anything. Jim silently took Spock hand and pulled him inside, leaving Winona trying to coerce Sam into dancing with her.

"Geez, that was weird." Jim said as they climbed the stairs. "I really expected her to be mad we were touching my dad's stuff."

"Perhaps she is glad you are showing interest in it, and she knows you value it and would not harm it." Spock said. Truthfully, he was not sure his explanation for human behavior was the right one.

"That reminds me. I wanna show you this." They went into Jim's room and Jim opened his backpack. Among old school books and papers was a black case. He took it out and opened it. "It's my recorder I got from music class."

It reminded Spock of a flute, but perhaps it was easier to play. Spock had never tried a wind instrument before, so he wouldn't know.

"Fascinating."

"Right? I knew you'd appreciate it. Our teacher told us to practice this summer, but I bet no one else in my class is."

"I brought something to show you, as well." Spock went to the corner where most of his luggage was neatly stacked and took out the case for his lute.

"Woah, you really know how to play that thing?" Jim asked as Spock took it out and sat with it.

"Yes." Spock played the scaled.

Jim smiled and sat down across from him before playing the same scales in response on the recorder. It was a strange combination.

"I wish I had something that wasn't so dumb." Jim sighed. "Like a guitar. Maybe, instead of a stunt driver, I could be a rock star!"

"Perhaps." Spock was not sure either of those careers were sustainable, but he did not want to say that.

Jim smiled at him and played a simple tune on recorder. Spock played the same tune in response on lute. It was strange and fascinating how they both knew the same songs. With more thought, Spock was sure that the first song he learned must have been by a human composer. No Vulcan would write a song about a child taking a lamb to school.

"That was interesting." Spock said when Jim finished a song. "I have never heard it."

"What? You've never heard twinkle twinkle little star? Everyone knows that song!" He laughed. "Here, I'll play it again."

When he was done, Spock attempted to repeat it on lute and found it was quite easy.

"That's so cool." Jim said. "That you can play stuff just from hearing it."

"That was part of my music class." Spock explained. "Identifying notes by ear and being able to repeat them. It helps that our ears are so sensitive."

They could still distantly hear the classic rock coming from the garage. Enjoyable was not the way Spock would describe it, but Jim seemed to like it. And the way the sound was muffled through the house did make it more tolerable.

They spent the afternoon playing their instruments together. Spock was not as rusty as he thought he'd be. He even briefly considered rejoining the music class when he returned to school, until he realized playing music with the other Vulcans was not going to be as fun as playing with Jim.

Perhaps he would just practice on his own and play for only Jim.

"Guess what's today?!" Jim jumped up and down on the bed.

"W-What?" Spock's eyes flew open and he was bounced up and down. It was quite rare for Jim to wake up before Spock, and even rarer for him to have this much energy this early.

"Go on, guess." Jim landed with a bounce next to Spock.

"Hm." Spock yawned and tried to recall if anything was special today. "…Sunday. I do not know."

"It's the Fourth of July parade!" He looked like he expected Spock to be just as excited, but Spock was not sure what to think.

"Parade?" Spock yawned again. "I have never been to one, so I am not sure what it entails."

"It's awesome!" Jim threw his hands in the air. "Well, the parade part is kinda for babies, but the other stuff is fun! There's food and games and stuff. And my favorite thing tonight –fireworks!"

"Fireworks?" Spock stifled another yawn. "I have never seen those either."

"Well, they're cool. So, come on. Get up! Get dressed!" Jim got up and began jumping on the bed again.

"Alright." Spock got out of bed and went to the drawer with his clothes. As he opened it, he realized that if they would be spending the day in town, he would be faced with many stares.

Last time he and Jim had gone to town for the day, everyone had stared at them. Jim had said to ignore them, but Spock was sure the streets would be even more crowded today with people who'd never seen a Vulcan child before.

"What's up?" Jim stopped jumping when he noticed Spock's hesitation.

"Perhaps I should dress different today. I believe it would be in my best interest to blend in if I am going to be around so many humans."

"Okay. You wanna borrow some of my clothes?" Jim jumped high off the bed and landed on the floor. He then ran to the closet and began sorting through the clothes on the floor. "Here!"

He tossed a shirt at Spock and it landed on his head. Spock took it off and held it out by the shoulders. It was green with a picture of a spaceship on it. A tiny green alien was waving from inside.

"This is too conspicuous." Spock said. "I am attempting to resemble a human boy."

"Okay, what about this one?" He tossed it over. It was a blue shirt with a picture of a robot on it. "He actually lights up when you wear it."

"Inconspicuous." Spock reminded him. "Lights will draw attention."

"Fine, fine." He rooted around the pile a moment longer. "Here! Or, wait, is yellow too conspicuous or whatever?"

It was a yellow shirt with a picture of the sun on it. The sun was wearing sunglasses. Spock was certain that there was a joke in there somewhere.

"It is fine." Spock took off his pajamas and put the shirt on. After sitting in a pile of all of Jim's clothes for so long, it smelled strongly like him. Spock secretly liked that. "May I have some pants?"

"Yep. Here." He handed Spock some jeans. Spock put them on along with his shoes and socks.

"Ha, we match!" Jim grinned. He was also wearing jeans and a t-shirt. "We're like twins!"

"Yes." Spock sighed. "I just wish I had a way to better hide my alien features. I do not want to be stared at today."

"Oh! Put this on!" Jim handed him a sweatshirt with a hood. Spock put it on and put the hood over his head. He looked in the mirror above the dresser. He did look quite ordinary. Like a human boy. Jim smiled at their reflections. "Cool."

"Cool." Spock repeated.

They went downstairs to where Winona and Sam were waiting. Winona was wearing her Starfleet uniform, and her hair was tied back as per regulations.

"I'll make sure to toss extra candy your way, kids." She laughed.

"Mom, the parade is for babies. I'm not watching it this year." Jim said.

"Oh, not even to see your mommy?" She asked teasingly. "Just make sure you stay where Sam can see you."

"Why did you dress him up like you?" Sam asked, looking at Spock. "Are you guys pretending to be twins or something?"

"No!" Jim's face turned red. "Mind your own business."

They all went out and got in Winona's truck. Jim and Spock squeezed up front in the passenger's seat, while Sam climbed into the back.

"Is he safe back there? There are not restraints." Spock said, looking through the back window.

"Good." Jim grumbled, crossing his arms. "Maybe he'll fall out."

They drove into town, and Spock's eyes widened when he saw how many people were out on the streets. Before, it was quite vacant, with only a few shops open until dark, not it seemed like the streets and sidewalks were packed. Helium balloons were tied onto carts and booths that all seemed to be advertising food and games.

"Yes! Look! Prizes!" Jim grabbed Spock's shoulder and pointed. "I bet we can win those no problem!"

"Alright," Winona managed to find a parking space. "I've got to go help with parade prep. Remember, do not get lost. Stay with Sam, okay?"

"'Kay." Jim hopped out and Spock followed.

"Okay." Sam looked at them when Winona was out of ear shot. "Well, see ya'"

"Wait, where is he going? Isn't he supposed to be watching us?" Spock asked as Sam stood by the cross-walk light, waiting for the sign to change.

"We're just gonna let my mom think he was watching us all day." Jim explained. "But really, he's just gonna let us go around on our own. We can do whatever we want without him tagging along."

"Yeah, I don't wanna cramp your style. I'm gonna go see if some of the girls from my class are here. Bye." He started across the street.

"Well, I don't need girls, I've got Spock!" Jim reached for Spock's hand. For some reason, Sam thought that was very amusing. Spock could hear him laughing until he was out of ear shot. Jim tugged his hand. "Let's go play a game."

In the front pocket of Spock's hoodie was his PADD. He took pictures of the balloons and games and sent them to his parents. It was odd that they hadn't responded yet. Didn't they find these festivities fascinating?

There was a game set up in one booth where you had to knock down bottles with a baseball to win a prize. Jim, who was keeping track of their tickets, was willing to drop two at a chance to try. He took the baseball and threw it. It narrowly missed the bottle on the top of the stack.

"Dammit." He sighed. "You wanna try?"

Spock took the ball and took a step back. He took a deep breath and tried to drown out the sounds of chatter and music coming from the other booths. He threw the ball and it hit the center bottle, causing the whole pyramid to fall.

"Wahoo! Good job, Spock!" Jim cheered, and Spock felt his face grow warmer.

"Kid, you wanna see if you can do that again?" The man attending the booth asked. "Three in a row gets you that."

He pointed to a large stuffed bear. Spock wasn't sure he wanted to carry that around all day, but then Jim smiled and gave him two thumbs up.

"Alright." Spock nodded.

The bottles were set up again. Spock took a deep breath and threw again. All of the bottles were knocked down once again.

"Yes!" Jim clapped his hands.

"Wow! Good job!" A voice said. Spock turned to see a few girls carrying prizes and ice creams approach them. "Hey, Jimmy. Is your friend new?"

"Hm. Sort of." Jim didn't look at her.

"Where's he from? He's a little off looking?" She snickered. She whispered something to one of the other girls and they all laughed. "Look at those eyebrows!"

Spock tried to ignore them. He could now feel his heart beating very fast in his side and he suddenly felt very warm, despite always feeling cool on Earth.

"You can do it, Spock." Jim said as the man at the booth gave Spock the last ball.

Spock tossed it and missed widely. The girls nearby started laughing like crazy. Jim quickly grabbed Spock's hand and pulled him away. They were walking very fast through the crowd. It was hard for Spock to keep up without tripping over the unrolled cuffs of his jeans.

"That was close." Jim only dropped Spock's hand when they were some ways away in a patch of grass. He sighed.

"I am sorry that I did not win." Spock said.

"That's okay." Jim smiled. "I understand. Julie was laughing at you just cuz she was jealous you were winning, you know."

"It is very…unVulcan," Spock sighed. "To care what others think of you."

"I think this is okay, though. No one likes being talked about like that. Forget them, let's go get some ice cream."

They sat in the grass and ate vanilla soft-serve. Spock looked down at his PADD and saw his messages to his parents were still unread. He looked over at Jim, who was trying to quickly eat his melting cone. Spock had opted to have his in a cup for less of a mess.

If those were in Jim's class, could that mean they were the girlfriends Jim had told him about? That made Spock feel…odd. There was then the fact that Jim hadn't really wanted to talk to them, and he'd said he'd rather be with Spock than any girl anyways. That made him feel…better.

"Hey, let's walk to the high school field. They've got more stuff going on there." Jim looked at him, ice cream running down his chin.

Spock held up his PADD and snapped a picture.

The high school field had more games, these being ran by high school students. Spock noticed Sam was by one of the booths talking to a much older girl. She did not seem to be too captivated by the conversation.

"You want some cotton candy?" Jim asked.

"I do not think we should have any more sugar." Spock was not even sure what cotton candy was.

"Speak for yourself!" Jim bough a large wad of pink fluff and began shoving it into his mouth.

"Alright folks!" A woman's voice was projected loudly from a megaphone. "Everyone who wants to enter the race, line up behind the yellow cones! Remember, the winner gets a certificate for a free pizza at Joe's!"

"Pizza…" Spock whispered.

"I was just thinking the same thing!" Jim shoved the rest of the cotton candy in his mouth. "Let's go!"

Spock and Jim lined up behind the cones at one end of the field. Several other children were also lined up. Spock made sure his hood was up so they would not stare.

"Here you go!" The woman with the megaphone came down the line and handed every other person a rope.

"What is this for?" Spock asked.

"Oh, I see, it's a three-legged race." Jim laughed.

"I only have two legs." Spock reminded him.

"I know that, you nerd." Jim bent down and began tying the rope around his ankle. "You tie your leg to your partner's leg so you have three legs all together. Then, you run like that."

"That seems difficult."

"That's the point."

"Okay, everyone!" The woman spoke into the megaphone. "Get ready!" On your marks….get set…"

"We got this." Jim whispered, gripping Spock's hand.

"Go!"

Spock had been right. It was difficult at first. Spock was faster than Jim, meaning Jim's right leg was lagging behind. He started to fall back, but Spock held Jim's hand tight. Once they got the hang of it, they went zooming past the other teams

One team of two girls fell over and Spock and Jim passed them easily. They were neck-and-neck with another team, who tripped just before the finish line.

Jim and Spock crossed the finish line before Jim's hand slipped from Spock's and he fell back onto the grass. The tug at his leg made Spock fall too, but that did not matter. They won.

"We have a winning team, folks!" The woman shouted. "Jimmy Kirk and his friend are proud owners of the pizza certificate! Here you go, kids!"

"Wahoo!" Jim stood up and grabbed the piece of paper. His leg was still tied to Spock's, but Spock chose not to stand up just yet. The angle of the golden sun bounced off Jim's hair and highlighted his elated smile.

Spock reached into his pocket for his PADD and snapped another picture.

The parade was starting just as Jim and Spock were out of game tickets. Spock had managed to win a ring tossing game. He got a stuffed dog that smelled like strawberries. Jim and Spock had also won a water balloon tossing game. Jim had won a stuffed cat with a bow tie.

"Let's get go find Sam. If my mom sees us without him, she'll jump out of the float and kill us, she really will."

They eventually found him near the front of the high school. The sidewalk was so packed that Jim held Spock's hand so they wouldn't get separated. They squeezed their way to the front of the crowd.

"Look. We won free pizza!" Jim nudged Sam and showed him the certificate.

"Well, I got a girl's phone number." He replied.

"I think our prize is better." Jim whispered in Spock's ear. Spock nodded.

Spock could hear distant music just as everyone began pointing down the street. Spock craned his neck and saw the parade approaching.

Each float represented something in Riverside. There was one made for local businesses and the schools as well. The one for the elementary school came by and Jim pointed.

"That's my school! Look, there's my handprint in yellow!"

The white banner was decorated with the hand-prints of tiny children. Spock spotted a yellow one up top and knew that was the one Jim meant.

Most of the floats had people tossing candy. The sheriff's squad car rode by and he tossed boxes of something. Spock picked up one of the tiny boxes off the sidewalk.

"Nerds." He read the box.

"Ha! Like you." Jim nudged him. "Look, there's my mom!"

Winona was riding on a float decorated for Starfleet. The banner was covered in stars and there was a model starship on top. Winona saluted the crowd and they all cheered.

She spotted them and waved before tossing some candy. Spock picked up another box of the nerds as well as a peppermint. That seemed acceptable for a Vulcan to eat. He popped it in his mouth and savored the cool taste.

The sun was going down when the final float passed. Spock could say that a parade was a new experience, but not one he wanted to repeat. Several of the cars, such as the fire engine, were much too loud. Spock had to clamp his hands over his ears until it was gone.

"Man…I'm beat." Jim said as they walked back to the field. "But next is the fireworks, and that's the best part!"

"I am also eager to see fireworks." Spock said. "They sound fascinating."

The field was now mostly clear of booths and games. People were setting out folding chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks. Winona was laying down a quilt just as they approached.

"I saw you guys watching the parade." She smiled. "I thought you said it was just for babies?"

"What, and miss seeing my mommy?" Jim asked innocently. She laughed as they sat down on the blanket. "Where's Sam?"

"He's sitting with his friends, but I'm glad one of my babies is here." She sat down and Jim laid his head in her lap. She stroked his hair and he seemed just as content as he did when Spock did acupressure on his feet.

It got darker and darker outside as every light in the school and on the field was turned off. The only source of light was the slowly disappearing streak of orange from the sun.

Jim reached for Spock's hand in the darkness just as it was time for the fireworks to start. Everyone was silent as the first streak of light launched into the air.

Spock did not even notice the beautiful color. The noise was so loud that it seemed to rattle every nerve in his body. He dropped Jim's hand and covered his ears. The booming grew louder and more frequent. It was too much. His ears couldn't take it.

"No…no…no…" Spock mumbled, curling up. He buried his head in his lap but the sound did not go away. The booming seemed to shake the Earth beneath him. It shook his whole body. He couldn't breathe.

Was he dying?

"Spock! What's wrong?!" Jim's panicked voice just seemed to amplify Spock's own sense of panic.

"Too…loud." Spock couldn't even hear his own voice over the blood rushing in his ears.

He was barely aware when Winona picked him up and carried him off the field with Jim running alongside them with the blanket trailing behind him like a cape.

The inside of the truck was so quite that Spock could hear his own shallow breathing once more. His eyes were still shut. He almost opened them, when he felt Jim wrap the blanket around him and begin stroking his head. It felt so nice that he wanted to savor it.

"Just breath." Winona said.

"Spock…are you okay?" Jim asked quietly.

Spock opened his eyes a fraction of an inch. It was quite dark in the truck. The only light was coming from the stars outside. The booming of the fireworks sounded much farther away.

"I…believe so." Spock looked down at his hand to see Jim was holding it. "I am not sure what happened to me."

"I think you had a panic attack from how loud it was." Winona said. "Just keep breathing. We'll head home and you can lie down."

"Your ears are really sensitive." Jim looked at him. "I didn't even think about that. I'm sorry."

"It is not your fault." Spock said.

He felt much better in the dark and quiet car with Jim squished beside him. He closed his eyes again and felt Jim slowly stroking his hair.

He kept his eyes closed when they parked so that Winona would carry him inside. It was a tactic he often used to get his father to carry him to bed when he didn't want to climb the stairs.

She placed him on the sofa and wrapped the blanket around him. Jim jumped up beside him and Spock felt him tug off his shoes and socks. He did not expect Jim to try and rub his feet.

"That tickles…" Spock instinctively pulled his feet away.

"Sorry." Jim chuckled. "I was just trying to make you feel better."

"I appreciate it, but you do not have to do that." Spock tucked his feet back under the blanket. Truthfully, he did not want it to tickle too much to the point where he involuntarily laughed. That would be highly illogical.

"Here you guys go." Winona brought them two cups of tea. "There's some honey if you want it."

Jim dumped a liberal about of honey in his tea. Spock sipped his plain. Honey made him think about his mother. He took out his PADD and checked to see if his parents had replied to anything yet, and saw that had not.

"I will be right back. I want to call my parents." Spock said, placing his tea cup on the coffee table.

"Okay." Jim got up and went to the video screen. "I'll put on some cartoons for us."

Spock did not object and took his PADD upstairs to Jim's room. He sat on the bed and called his parents. It rang for a while, so he was not sure they were in range of their own video screen. He considered trying his parent's PADD or phone, when his father appeared on screen.

"Hello, Spock." He did not offer any other sort of greeting.

"Hello, Father. I was wondering why you or mother have not replied to my messages. I found it odd. I admit I was worried." Spock hoped he would not be reprimanded for that.

"Your Mother has been…sick. She has been staying in the hospital for the past twenty-four hours." Sarek said.

"Sick? Is she alright now? What was wrong?" Spock felt his panic threatening to return.

"That is irrelevant. She is…fine now." Sarek almost sounded like his ordinary logical self, but Spock could tell there was something else he was not saying.

"Let me see her." Spock demanded. "Now."

"Very well." Sarek said.

In a moment, Amanda was on screen. Her usually carefully curled hair was limp. She looked as if she'd been crying heavily, and was not far off from starting up again.

"Hi, baby. Are you having fun? I miss you so much." She tried to give him a smile.

"I miss you as well. Are you certain you are in good health? I can come home early if you need." Spock would do anything for her, even if it meant ending his vacation early.

"No, no." She assured him. "It's not as if…there's anything to see here anyways." She teared up again and stepped out of frame.

"Mother?" Spock called to her. "Are you alright?"

"Your mother is very tired." Sarek stepped back over. "She needs rest. As do you. I must go now. Goodbye, son."

Spock wished he at least knew what had been wrong, or what her symptoms were so that he could look them up himself. He thought of Dr. Tolek examining her and telling her that she had some horrible disease from being a human and that she should leave Vulcan before she infected everyone.

"Spock?" Jim peaked in. "You done? You wanna come watch Looney Tunes?"

"Alright." Spock knew his worries were irrational. Sarek said Amanda was fine. It was best for Spock not to worry himself into another panic attack and just relax.

After watching several illogical and violent cartoons with Jim, Spock went upstairs to go take a bath. He turned on the water and took off the clothes Jim had let him borrow. It had been nice to go undetected for once, but he was eager to get back into his robes.

"You know, for someone who doesn't sweat, you sure take a lot of baths." Jim said from the doorway.

"Baths clean your body as well as your mind. The hot water purifies your soul." Spock finished undressing and put the clothes in the hamper before getting in the tub.

"You said the same thing about meditating." Jim reminded him.

"That is also true." Spock said. When he was a child, one of his parents would stay when he bathed to make sure he did not drown. Was Jim attempting to do the same thing?

"…Can I get in with you?" Jim asked somewhat shyly.

"I believe that would be most beneficial, as you have been in the sun all day sweating, and I do not want to share a bed with you if you smell bad."

"Geez, you could have just said yes." Jim undressed, leaving his clothes all over the floor before getting in.

Spock routinely washed himself with a rag as Jim just splashed around and played with a rubber duck. He'd once told Spock that he didn't play with it anymore, and that it was just for decoration, but Spock could see now that that had been a lie.

As they washed, Spock could not shake the minimal worrying he was still feeling for his mother. He knew she was getting better, but still.

"My mother is sick." Spock said.

"Did she get it from you?" Jim asked.

"What?" Spock asked sharply. Why would Jim say such a thing?

"No, not like in a mean way!" He quickly assured Spock. "It's just –do you remember when you broke your arm, and how your dad could sense it?"

Spock nodded.

"Well, what if your mom could sense you got upset from the fireworks? I dunno. I guess I don't know how that Vulcan mind stuff works."

"You have the right idea, but that is inaccurate. Vulcan children do have mental links with their parents, so their parents can better raise them. They can tell when their children are upset or in danger. But this bond weakens and breaks off over time as the child grows up."

"Is yours still there?"

"Somewhat." Spock had never been very good at detecting his father's emotions through it unless they were meditating or very close together. His mothers, though strong, were elusive. Soon, it would be gone. "But the link between bond-mates is strongest of all, and it never fades."

"Bond-mates are like married couples?" Jim asked.

"Yes." Spock nodded. "Bond-mates, like my parents, can feel each other's thoughts and emotions without the need to be touching."

"That sounds cool." Jim said, his cheeks slightly pink.

"Yes." Spock said, thinking of his inability to have a bond-mate. "I suppose it does."

That night, they climbed into bed under Spock's sleeping bag. Spock did not close his eyes right away, knowing Jim sometimes liked to talk at night. Sure enough, he felt Jim roll over and face Spock.

"I'm sorry you got scared by the fireworks. I should have realized."

"No, it is not your fault." Spock assured him. "I know it is illogical…but I feel bad that you did not get to stay and watch."

"It's okay, really." Jim said. In the darkness, Spock felt Jim grab his hand. "You know, when I was little, I used to hate thunder. It scared me really bad. It made me cry because it was so loud. So, I get it."

Spock should be suppresing his panic from before, and he was for the most part. The tiny bit of worry over that and his mother was now gone thanks to Jim. Talking it out seemed just as effective as meditating to push it away.

He wondered if the other Vulcans knew that.

For the next several weeks, Spock made sure he talked to his mother every day. She did seem to be getting better as time went on, and Spock was glad to see it.

They moved into the hottest part of the year, and Jim and Spock spent nearly every day outside. Jim's skin seemed to get tanner and tanner. Spock was certain his was actually getting paler, since the Earth's sun was not nearly as powerful as Vulcan's.

Their fun in the sun was cut short when a storm hit. Jim and Spock stayed inside for a few days playing with legos. Spock was proficient at following the detailed instructions and making perfect models. Jim was proficient at using his imagination to build things Spock would have never thought of.

They were racing their lego spaceships on the tile kitchen floor listening to the rain when lightning flashed outside. A second later, thunder seemed to shake the while house. Spock covered his ears and tried not to panic.

"Ah, let's get out of here. Come on." Jim took him by the sleeve and led him down into the basement. He turned on the light and Spock could only see boxes and boxes. "It's quiet down here."

"What are all these boxes?" Spock asked.

"It's a lot of the stuff my mom takes with her when he goes to space." Jim draped a blanket around them and they settled down against a stack of boxes. "Look, we can pretend we're Starfleet officers who are stranded on a strange planet. This can be like our cave."

"Captain Jim, first we need to find food." Spock said, playing along.

"Let's hunt! I can catch us a rabbit! Well, a dust bunny." He laughed. He darted out from their blanket and around the corner of boxes. A moment later, Spock heard him sneezing.

"Are you alright?" Spock asked, not moving from his cozy spot. "Captain Jim?"

"Yeah, look what I found!" He dragged over a small box. "It's a real Starfleet issue tent! Have you ever been camping?"

"I have not."

"That settles it, then. We're gonna camp outside! Damn, but it'll probably be a few days before the rain stops and the ground is dry again."

"That gives us plenty of time to get prepared." Spock said.

"You think of everything, First Officer Spock." Jim smiled.

They asked Winona what Starfleet officers needed to camp, and Winona showed them another kit that contained a flashlight, a backup communicator, and canteens, as well as a box of matches.

"You'll need this, too." Winona found a rolled up sleeping bag in the basement.

"I'd rather share yours." Jim said in Spock's ear.

"What about food?" Spock asked.

"Camping food is s'mores." Jim said proudly.

"What is s'mores?"

"Oh, Spock!" Jim just laughed.

It was finally warm and dry and time to camp. Spock and Jim filled a backpack with what they needed and hiked out. By Winona's rules, they couldn't leave the Kirk's property, so they settled for the backyard.

"Ah, the wilderness." Jim sighed with contentment as he and Spock set up the tent.

It was meant for several adults, so it was quite spacious for two children. They were not allowed to build a fire, so Jim showed Spock how to make s'mores with unmelted ingredients. Spock did not want chocolate, so he settled for gently nibbling a marshmallow.

Jim and Spock chased fireflies, but Spock refused to let Jim inhumanely put them in a jar overnight. Instead, they let them go and watched them fly off, glowing and blinking.

When the sun went down, Jim had the idea to place their sleeping bags with the heads poking outside the tent so they could watch the stars. He also had the idea to zip their sleeping bags together so it was like one spacious bag.

"Do you know any constellations?" Jim asked as they watched the sky.

"Only in the Vulcan sky." Spock said.

"Oh, well that line there is Orion's belt." Jim pointed.

"We have a similar one called the belt of Surak. They say that the farthest star west points directly to Earth."

"I wonder which star leads to Vulcan?" Jim asked. Spock knew he could look it up on his PADD, but he did not want to get out of the sleeping bag. It was so warm with Jim in there.

"I think that one." Spock pointed at the brightest one.

"That's actually Venus, not a star." Jim chuckled.

"Oh." Spock felt foolish now.

A little while later, Spock wiggled out from the sleeping bag and started towards the house.

"Where are you going?" Jim asked.

"I have to use the restroom." Spock said.

"But we're camping. You have to go in the woods."

"But your house is right there." Spock looked at the woods and remembered the poison ivy. He suppressed a shudder.

"But in real Starfleet camping, the house isn't right there." Jim argued.

"This is not Starfleet, this is your backyard. I have to go." Spock did not feel like arguing something so illogical. Finally, he made his way back and climbed back in the sleeping bag. "Jim?"

Spock looked over to where Jim's eyes were closed. Jim opened his eyes, and Spock saw his face was very pink.

"Hey."

"Are you alright?"

"Yep." He sighed. "It's just that I wanted to ask you something. I've been thinking about it for a while, and right when I got the nerve, you had to leave."

"Well, I am back now." Spock pointed out. "What is it?"

"Whenever we grow up…and when you get married, promise we'll still be best friends?" Jim rolled over to stare at the sky rather than Spock.

"Yes." Spock did the same, watching the stars. "Always. But, you do not have to worry. I will not get married."

"How come?" He shuffled a bit. "I thought you said your parents were gonna pick a girl for you to marry?"

"They did, but it did not…work out." Spock blushed slightly.

"Was she mean?" Jim asked.

"No, she was…alright. She and I just were not compatible."

"What if you met someone you were compatible with? I mean, someone you really liked. Being married would just be like being best friends forever, right?"

"I suppose."

"Do you think you have anyone like that?" Jim asked shyly.

"I do." Spock felt his face grow warmer. "But he already has a girlfriend. Several of them. I do not want to share his attention."

"Well, what if he broke up with them?" Jim turned in the sleeping bag to face Spock. "Actually, they broke up with him near the last day of school because he wouldn't stop talking about his cool friend Spock, who likes more than all three of his girlfriends combined?"

"He does?" Spock gasped lightly. "I mean, you do?"

"Yeah." He blushed. "So, since…I don't have a girlfriend, and you don't have a girlfriend…"

"I understand what you are saying." Spock sighed. "But you do not want to be my bond-mate. My mind is unbondable. I would not be able to feel your thoughts and emotions the way a true Vulcan spouse should." Spock turned his back to Jim.

"I don't care about that!" Jim sat up. "I can just tell you how I'm feeling, all the time. And it's not like we'll ever be apart when we grow up."

"We won't?"

"No, cuz we'll have a house here, and we'll have a house on Vulcan. Big houses. With huge yards for all our animals." Jim laughed. "Would you want that?"

"Yes." Spock rolled back to face him. "That does sound like an optimal future."

Jim smiled at him before lying back down. He seemed relieved, as if he'd been bursting to ask and nervous of what Spock would say. If he'd known that from the start, Spock would have just said yes and saved them all the hassle.

"I'm really gonna miss you when you go back home." Jim said.

He reached for Spock's hand, and Spock let him take it. He never told Jim had he could sense traces of his feelings when they held hands, but now he was sure Jim would not mind if he knew.

"I am going to miss you as well." Spock replied.

As much as that was true, he was also thinking of the fact that most of his classmates had likely already selected their subjects for the next course level and were back in classes. It would be strange to be behind, but it was worth it.

"We should have a ceremony." Jim said sleepily. "Like for when grown-ups get married."

"Vulcans have ceremonies when they are betrothed as children." Spock said. "We can have one like that."

"Okay." Jim yawned and closed his eyes. "Let's do that tomorrow. Should be fun…"

"Fun." Spock recalled his failed bonding ceremony with T'Pring. Would this be different? Yes. Of course it would be. This time it did not matter that he was a hybrid. Jim did not mind, and that is why he was the perfect choice for Spock.

The next day, they spent it getting ready. Jim told them all weddings had flowers, so they needed to find the best ones. Spock did not point out that Vulcan betrothals did not have flowers. He let Jim do what he wanted.

Jim showed him how to weave the flowers together to make a crown. They wore matching flower crowns as they crossed the backyard. Spock the chicken took sight of them and hopped over.

"Are you kings?" O'Malley asked, pausing from feeding Rosie to pick the chicken up before it ran too far.

"No, we're getting married." Jim said with a grin.

"The crowns are simply an aesthetic choice." Spock adjusted his to keep it from falling in his eyes.

"Oh, I see. Well, I hope you two are happy together." He laughed.

"We already are." Jim took Spock's hand. "Come on."

The walked through the stalks of corn, but they were not playing hide and seek this time. They were searching for the clearing that they'd previously used as base. Jim wanted to use the one in the forest with the well, but Spock did not want to risk touching another poisonous plant.

"This seems good, right?" Jim asked.

"Yes. Perfect." Spock sat down in the grass.

"What first?" Jim sat down across from him.

"I think it is important that you understand that this is just a betrothal." Spock pointed out, holding up one finger. "Not a real marriage. It simply signifies that we will get married when we get older."

"Oh, okay. That's actually better. I don't think my mom wants me to get married until I'm grown up, even if she does like you. First, we hold hands, right?" Jim reached for both of Spock's hands.

Spock looked down to where their hands joined. That was not actually first. In his ceremony with T'Pring, they had sat with several inches between them, never talking or touching… barely looking at each other.

"Alright." Spock decided that if Jim wanted to hold hands, then there wasn't anything wrong with that.

"Your hands are warm." Jim chuckled. Spock tried to ignore the way that made him feel and focus on what he was supposed to be doing.

"Now, close your eyes and envision –" Spock paused. T'Pau had told them to envision their minds linking. That was when things went wrong. Since their minds could not link together, then Spock did not know what came next.

"Hm? What next? Vows, right?"

"Vows?" Spock opened his eyes.

"Yeah. Like this: I promise to only love Spock for the rest of my life. In sickness and in health, until death."

Spock blinked, feeling his whole face grow warmer. Those were human vows? They were so… powerful. When Vulcans married, all of those things were implied. Of course, you supported and loved your partner, but it was so nice and surprising to hear that said aloud.

And love, that was such a strong word.

"Spock? Your turn." Jim reminded him with a gentle squeeze of his hands.

"I promise," Spock closed his eyes again. "To only love Jim for as long as I live. In sickness and in health, until death."

"Anything else?" Jim asked in a whisper.

Spock's ceremony with T'Pring had not been completed, so he had no idea what went next, but he could not think of anything they were missing. He closed his eyes again and tried to imagine what it would look like to have their minds really linked. That happy gold feeling he always got around Jim seemed to fill his mind.

"No, I think we are betrothed now." Spock said.

"Well, aren't you forgetting something else?" Jim asked.

"Am I?"

"Yes." Jim smiled shyly. "The things that humans do at the end of the ceremony."

"I am unfamiliar with it." Spock had never seen a human ceremony.

"They…kiss each other." Jim whispered, his face reddening.

"On the mouth?"

"Duh! Where else?"

Oh." Spock could only remember seeing his parents kiss on the mouth twice in his life. Maybe they did it more when he wasn't around.

"Do you not want to?" Jim let go of Spock's hands, but not before Spock could sense his disappointment.

"It is not that. It is just…I have never done that before." Vulcan's showed their affection in other ways. There was a certain hand gesture that was akin to a kiss, but Spock was curious about the human version.

"I've done it a few times. It's really easy. I'll show you." Jim held Spock's hands again. Now Spock could feel that Jim's excitement matched his own. "Close your eyes again."

Spock closed his eyes. It was a bit like when he meditated. The only thing he was aware of was the warm sun on his face, the grass underneath him, the scent of flower pollen threatening to fall onto his nose, and Jim's hands.

The seconds seemed to drag on with nothing happening. Spock could hear his own heartbeat, as well as Jim's heavy breathing.

Spock opened his eyes just as Jim leaned in and pressed his mouth to Spock's. Stunned, Spock just closed his eyes again. He felt his whole face heat up despite the cool breeze. It was now aware of Jim's presence completely. Before Spock could even do more than blush, Jim pulled back.

The blush was mutual. Jim's cheeks were pink. He seemed to be unable to contain nervous laughter. Spock smiled softly.

"That was…fascinating." He managed. Jim's laughter faltered as Spock reached up and placed his hands on the sides of Jim's face.

"W-What are you doing?"

"I just recalled something else in Vulcan ceremonies." It was different than having an elder do it for them, and Spock had never initiated a meld before, but he was sure this was the only person he'd want one with. "Will you accept my mind to yours?"

"Is this gonna hurt?" He asked in a whisper.

"No."

"Oh, then sure." Jim closed his eyes and leaned forward so that his forehead rested against Spock's. Spock quite enjoyed having their faces so close together. He adjusted his hands on Jim's psi points and closed his eyes again.

"My mind to your mind… my thoughts to your thoughts."

And then there was nothing. No summer sun. No pollen or breeze or grass. There was just the somewhat finite expanse of the minds of two children. Some of it was memories. Spock saw a slightly younger Jim crouched in the same grass. Spock saw the boring halls and rooms of an elementary school. Spock saw the dusty cramped space under Jim's bed as he hid from the man leaving heavy footsteps on the stairs.

It was strange to feel the unhindered emotions of a human child. Curiosity, boredom, fear. It was cathartic as well.

Then it was peaceful. Lost in the expanse their shared minds created, Spock did not realize the meld was broken until he sneezed from the grass on his nose.

He sat up from where he and Jim were sprawled out in the field. His flower crown had fallen off and landed on his chest, leaving pink and purple petals on his dark robe. He looked over at Jim, who was staring up at the sky. He then looked over to lock eyes with Spock and smiled.

"That was cool."

"Cool." Spock repeated to himself in a whisper. Yes, it was. "I did not realize that would take so long. It is getting late." The sun was slowly sinking down, streaking the sky with color.

"Oh, maybe dinner's almost ready!" Jim jumped up, leaving his flower crown in the grass. He reached out for Spock's hand.

Spock felt a strange tinge of lingering guilt, as if he should not have done that. He'd never melded. He was not a proper Vulcan. And to do it with a human…

That was Spock's choice. He chose a human. He wanted to marry a human, and now he was betrothed to one. He no longer felt guilty. Not for his choices or for what he was. He no longer felt lonely. He gave Jim a small smile and took his hand.

Jim received his back-to-school supply list the same day that Spock received a message from the Vulcan Learning Center encouraging him to enroll for the next level.

"Third graders have work that's way harder than second grade." Jim bragged as he and Spock ate breakfast cereal that morning. "Like, we get long division."

"How difficult." Spock did not mention that he was already in algebra and was approaching calculous.

"September is too close." He grumbled, stirring his soggy cereal. "I mean, the new school year is fun for a few weeks, but then it's boring again. I'm really gonna miss you."

Spock looked down at his bowl. He would miss Jim terribly. He thought of the long months ahead where they would be apart. It made Spock's heart hurt. That was unVulcan of him, so he kept his face impassive.

"We can talk everyday online."

"Not the same." Jim dropped his spoon into his bowl and sighed.

"Not the same at all." Spock agreed with a sigh.

They tried to make the most of every second left of summer, but it was hard when Winona kept dragging them out to buy school supplies and clothes. Jim tried on what seemed like a million shirts and jeans. He walked out of the dressing room each time and turned to Spock.

"So, what do you think?"

"This shirt is green." Spock said. The last one had been blue.

"Which one looks cooler?"

"Aren't you going to ask my opinion?" Winona asked teasingly.

"No." Jim rolled his eyes. "You're just gonna say blue. You always buy me blue clothes."

"It's because they bring out your eyes." She said.

"I agree." Spock could see now that that was very true. "You should get blue."

"Fine. Whatever. I'm ready to leave anyways." He went back into the fitting room. He came out and handed the blue shirt to Winona. They walked to the check-out counter.

"You are only getting that one?" Spock asked.

"Yep. I always just get a few new things. The rest is Sam's old stuff. You really lucked out, you know, with being an only child. You never have to share or have anyone else's old junk." He crossed his arms.

"I suppose you are right. But I have to wear a uniform at school, so there is not much variety when I shop." Even socks and shoes were regulated.

"Ha! I'm so glad we don't have uniforms. Maybe I am pretty lucky after all."

After dinner that night, Spock reluctantly took out his PADD and examined the list of available courses for the next level.

"Lemme see." Jim rested his chin on Spock's shoulder. The contact was halfway between enjoyable and aggravating. "That's a lot of math."

"I am thinking I may limit myself to two or three maths this time." Spock said, eyeing trigonometry.

"Oh my god." Jim chuckled. "Oh, I did astronomy! We got to go to the planetarium. I wanted them to show Vulcan, but they only did the Milky Way galaxy. You should take it."

Spock was sure the Vulcan astronomy class would be much more advanced than Jim's, but he was eager to have the course in common. He selected that, along with history, calculous and trigonometry. He then needed one physical course.

"You guys don't have any sport's teams?" Jim seemed shocked.

"No. We have clubs for games of intellect, such as chess and poker." Spock had never joined a club though, since he already knew he'd be ostracized.

"Well, then what are you gonna take?"

"I believe I will benefit from another semester of swimming." Spock selected it, completing his roster.

"You choose swimming, but you won't even get in the creek with me?" He took his chin off Spock's shoulder and laid back on the floor.

"The creek's water is full of germs and possibly sewage. The pool at my school is clean and full of chlorine." Spock explained. "Besides, the pool is a relatively new addition, as it has been logically decided that teaching young Vulcans to swim is beneficial. It is good excersise."

"You sound like such a nerd when you go on like that." Jim chuckled.

"Well, you do not mind, do you?"

"Of course not." He smiled.

"I did not think so." Spock smiled back.

On the last night of Spock's visit to Riverside, he and Jim went to town to redeem their free pizza. Jim slapped the certificate down on the counter and grinned.

"Free pizza for me and my date, please."

The hostess took the certificate and held it up to the light. Spock thought it seemed like a logical course of action if people were often trying to scam their way into free pizza. Finally, she seated them at a booth where they shared veggie pizza and vanilla milkshakes.

"This has been the most fun I have had in my life." Spock admitted as he carefully stirred his milkshake to get rid of lumps.

"You can admit it was a little lame." Jim chuckled. "Like when it rained a lot, or when we lost the pawns in my chess set and had to use plastic Starfleet officer action figures."

"None of it was lame." Spock did not understand how Jim could think that. "I greatly enjoyed your company."

"Hey, maybe you can come back at Christmas?" He asked hopefully. "Usually Uncle Pike gets shore leave, and we visit him and have a Christmas party."

"Perhaps, though we do not celebrate Christmas. My mother is part Jewish and prefers Hanukkah."

"Us too!" Jim grinned. "We actually haven't celebrated it in a while, but we might still have a menorah somewhere. Now you definitely have to come!"

Jim and Spock slept together in their shared double-sleeping bag on the last night of summer. Spock could still hear frogs and crickets, though he could not see fireflies.

"Are you asleep?" Jim whispered.

"No."

"Me neither. I'm thinking about something."

"What is it?" Spock opened his eyes and looked over.

"Nothing." He chuckled and turned away, his face red.

"Nothing?" Spock recalled when they sat in the grass and held hands. They promised to love each other forever, and now they were betrothed. If Spock thought about it extensively, then he too felt his face heat up.

"You'll see tomorrow." Jim pulled the covers up to his chin and closed his eyes.

"Tomorrow?" The only thing Spock expected to see was a long train ride to meet his father in San Francisco.

"I'm sleeping." Jim said unconvincingly.

"Sorry to disturb." Spock closed his eyes.

The next morning they woke up early to put away their tent. Spock carefully packed all of his things and Jim reluctantly helped load them in the truck. They dragged their feet when it was time to go, and they went back in several times to make sure Spock hadn't forgotten anything.

"Almost forgot this!" Out from under the bed, Jim pulled out the stuffed dog he'd won at the festival.

"I won that for you." Spock reminded him.

"Well, you take the one I won, then." From atop the dresser, Jim got the stuffed cat with the bowtie. "Go on, keep it."

"Thank you." Spock examined it. Cats were sometimes orange, but this one was quite bright. It reminded him of Vulcan sunsets.

"Okay, kids. Now we really have to go." Winona appeared in the doorway. "If Spock does leave anything behind, we can always send it along."

"You are really coming all the way with me?" Spock asked as they descended the stairs.

"Yeah." Jim averted his gaze. "I told you my mom has some business in San Francisco, so we might as well ride with you."

"I appreciate it."

Outside, Spock said one last farewell to his namesake chicken, who was becoming a handsome rooster, and then to Rosie the cow. Spock patted her flank and she blinked gently.

Jim and Spock held hands the whole way to the train station, and then once on the train. Winona busied herself with a novel on her PADD, while Jim and Spock found amusement in hiding among the rows of empty seats.

"Pardon us, Sir." Spock said whenever Jim clumsily bumped into the attendant.

Slowly, the seats filled as they passed more stations. Spock and Jim then sat quietly and played electronic chess. Jim always won, because Spock was too busy starring out the window as the landscapes of Earth passed in a blur.

It was lunch when they reached the transfer station. Spock chose a veggie dog after making Jim promise him that not even the meat ones were real dog.

The train ride to the San Francisco station would not take long, thanks to the advances of travel technology. Spock checked the time the chronometer for expected arrival.

"Jim, according to this, we will arrive nearly two hours before my father is expected to meet me."

"Hmm." Jim shrugged, looking as if he was trying very hard not to smile. "I'm sure we'll find a way to kill time."

San Francisco's station was just as Spock recalled. The busy people flocked together around the video phones and the obvious tourists flocked around the gift shop. Spock saw something in the window that made him think of his mother.

"Where are you going?" Jim asked as Spock started towards it.

"Just a moment. I need this."

After buying the item for her, he searched for a Terran item his father might enjoy. Jim impatiently followed him around and tugged his sleeve.

"Just get something."

"Why are you rushing me?" Spock asked as he stooped down to examine a shelf of decorated shells.

"Cuz, I wanna show you something. Don't –" He said loudly as Spock reached for a shell. "You don't need that."

"Why not?"

"Please just trust me, and let's go." He tugged Spock out.

"Go where?" Spock asked. "We have to wait for my father."

"Look." Jim pointed to where Winona was still enjoying her novel on a bench with Spock's bags. "My mom's waiting for him. Now, come with me like a good little alien boy."

Feeling belittled, Spock allowed Jim to take his hand and lead him outside the station. Walking in such a big city was much different then walking in Riverside. No one seemed to notice him, since their gazes seemed to land way over his head.

Jim stopped suddenly, and Spock nearly stumbled over him. He looked around for whatever it was, but was nothing but buildings and cars.

"Close your eyes." Jim said.

"Okay." Spock saw no point in objecting. "You are not going to lead me into traffic, are you?"

"Nope."

Spock followed the pull of Jim's hand and felt them go off the sidewalk and down another way. The sounds of the city faded a tad and he felt them walk onto a wooden surface, based on the sound their feet made.

The wood then changed to the ever-familiar feel of sand. The salty air hit his nose and Spock suppressed a gasp, though his heart raced. The crash of waves was a relaxing sound, despite the volume.

"Okay, you can open them now." Jim gently squeezed his hands.

"The… ocean."

Spock was in awe. It was so infinite, so full of mysterious life. It was just like space. He turned to Jim, who was removing his shoes and socks. Spock did the same and they stashed them under a bush before racing towards the water.

"Woah, it's kinda cold!" Jim jumped back as the water lapped at his bare feet.

Spock did not mind. He lifted his robes and let the waves onto his legs. Sand then stuck to his skin. That sensation was quite familiar. As they ran up and down the beach, Spock knew he was smiling. He did not mind that either.

"Thank you for taking me here." Spock said as they sat on the sand to catch their breath.

"No problem. I mean, I got the idea as soon as you said you'd never seen the ocean. And I mean, it's right here. How could we not come?"

"Vulcan has the Voroth and Thanar seas, but they are not like this. The water is not cool, and no one swims for recreation." The Terran ocean was just different.

"Well, I'm really glad you liked it, then." Jim laughed.

There was sand stuck to his face, and his hair was mussed by sea breeze, but in that moment Spock could not believe such a beautiful person was his betrothed.

"Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for allowing me to stay with you. It was so fascinating." Spock was getting emotional, so he took this time to cross his legs and take a breath. He closed his eyes.

"You okay?" Jim asked.

"Yes." He was very okay.

They then walked up and down the beach in search of interesting shells. Spock even found coral, and to his surprise, a dried up sea star.

"Is it dead?" Jim asked, examining the creature flat in Spock's palm.

"I am not sure." Spock admitted. "I will return it to the ocean, just in case." He placed it on the shoreline and let the waves carry it back. "I see now why you did not want me to buy a shell at the gift shop."

"Yeah, there's free ones right here." He laughed. "And these have real sand on them and stuff."

When it was time to go, they put on their shoes and walked back to the station. They seemed just in time to avoid an influx of tourists at the beach.

Spock and Jim tried to wash and much sand off as they could in the station bathroom, but despite turning his socks inside out, Spock could still feel grains of sand in his shoes. That was a familiar sensation as well.

Sarek was waiting with Winona by Spock's bags. He was just as rigid looking as ever, if not more, now that Spock was used to human presence. They did not embrace; instead they just nodded at one another in respect.

"Come Spock, we must catch our shuttle to Vulcan."

"Yes, Father." Spock nodded.

"Bye, Hun. I'm so glad you got to come see us." Winona patted his head. "Promise you'll come back soon?"

"Yes." Spock felt his throat tighten. "Thank you for having me."

He turned to Jim. He was aware of Sarek and Winona watching them, and he was unsure how to proceed. Jim was not. He wrapped his arms around Spock in a crushing hug.

"I'm gonna miss you, Spock."

"I shall miss you as well." Spock hugged him back, uncaring who saw and thought what. He tried to savor the human's scent, knowing it would cling to his robes for the duration of the journey home.

"And you still promise... you know?"

"Yes." Spock did not know whether Jim was referring to the promise to return for Christmas, or the promise to love him forever, but both were going to be completely upheld.

Their hands remained linked as Sarek loaded Spock's bags into a cab outside. Finally, it was time to part. The train back towards Iowa arrived, and Winona boarded, watching Jim from the threshold. No words needed to be said. Spock was not sure he could say anything. His throat felt tight, like he'd swallowed something he shouldn't have.

Jim boarded and waved at Spock from the window. Spock gave him the ta'al. Jim then gave him the Earth hand sign for peace. Spock waved.

He followed Sarek to the taxi. Sarek held the door for him, but Spock did not look at him as he climbed in. He knew he was being judged for showing emotion, but he did not care.

He had a secret. He was no longer an unbonded Vulcan. He was betrothed to a wonderful human. His human thought highly of him, and that was enough.

Not even when they boarded the shuttle and watched the Earth shrink to a tiny blue dot did Sarek speak to him about Jim; at least, not extensively.

"Did you find the experience fulfilling?" He asked. Spock knew he'd never say the word fun.

"Yes. Quite. How is Mother?"

"She is eagerly awaiting your return."

Spock spent the remaining time meditating. He crossed his legs and tried not to think of the time he'd be without Jim, and instead think of it as time he would be doing one of his favorite activities –learning.

Before reaching Vulcan, Spock had already downloaded all of the texts he'd need this semester. They seemed quite fascinating.

Home was familiar. The smell was the same, and so was the gravity. Spock felt oddly heavier as he helped his father with the luggage. He knew he was not weaker; he was now just average due to the gravity. In a way, it was assimilating him back into Vulcan life.

Spock stared at the craggy rocks and plants lining the landscape of Vulcan. It had such little variety. He loved it, but didn't anyone care to liven it up? No, he had to go to botanical gardens to see anything blooming.

"Spock, do not drag your feet." Sarek said as they walked towards the silver train that would take them to the edge of the city where Spock lived.

"Sorry, Father." Spock was eager to see his mother again, and he ran ahead with energy, leaping several feet down the sidewalk. He could not jump as far or as fast in this gravity, but there was no one to race with anyway.

He watched the landscape fade to flat land covered it the usual odd architecture. He recognized the buildings and their many logical functions. Not one pizza parlor existed in ShiKahr –that Spock knew of, at least.

The outer garden to Spock's home seemed brighter in Vulcan's summer blooming season, but it was just logical herbs and vegetables. Spock paid them no mind as they walked under the statue of Surak that guarded the door. He then paused and looked back. Before, Spock always came up to Surak's waist. He now was a bit above it.

"I am taller." Spock said proudly.

"I noticed." Sarek nodded. "The Earth's gravity has been known to decompress the Vulcan spine. There is also the fact that you are at that age."

Spock quickly ran his tongue along his teeth to see if they were loose. They were not. Perhaps he had not grown as much as he had thought.

"Oh, Spock." Amanda hugged him as soon as he crossed the threshold. "I missed you!"

"I missed you as well. I am taller now." Spock stood back so that she could see. He also examined her for signs of illness. Her hair was curled and pinned back like always, and she was wearing her favorite lilac robes. Nothing seemed wrong at all.

"I can see that." She smiled. "Why don't you come in here and I'll make you a snack."

Sarek took Spock's bags upstairs while Spock followed his mother into the kitchen. The counter was covered in bowls containing chopped bits of vegetables from the garden. Potatoes were the only Terran vegetable that thrived easily in untouched Vulcan soil. Spock found the bowl of them and reached for the peeler. He missed being his mother's helper.

"Did you know that in French, potatoes are called apples of the Earth?" Spock said as he peeled.

"Yes, I did." She laughed. "How did you know that?"

"Jim showed me his older brother's textbook on French. I wish I could learn a Terran language in school other than Standard."

"Oh, sweetie." She placed her hands on his shoulders. "I'm so glad you had fun. You saw cows and chickens, didn't you?"

"Yes, and cornstalks, and the ocean. Mother, it was nothing like the videos we've seen of Vulcan seas in school. The water was cold and I found a starfish." Spock stopped paying attention to his peeling as he went on. "I slept outside in a tent. I saw fireflies, and more frogs than I could count. I greatly enjoyed it."

She gently rubbed his shoulders, and he could not help but go on.

"Earth was fascinating, but the best part was Jim. He is so strange, but I think I now understand most of his behavior. It seems humans value imagination and individualism. If that truly is the case, then he will excel."

Spock stopped when he heard her breath catch in her throat. He turned around to see she was crying again. She turned away from him and put her hands behind her back in the same way his father did when he was trying to contain his emotions, which was always.

"Mother, what is wrong?" He put down the peeler and tried to approach her.

"It's nothing, Honey."

"That is a lie." He could tell by the way her voice wavered. "Please, tell me the truth."

"I want you to know." She didn't turn around. "I want you to understand, but I am honestly not emotionally ready to discuss it. Ask your father. Tell him I said to."

She was so smart, but so human. He knew she meant it if she said she wanted him to know, but she also meant it when she said she couldn't discuss it. Such a hindrance was so human. Spock loved humans.

He hugged her again, hoping it would at least dry her tears. He then went upstairs. He opened the door to his bedroom and glanced in. All of his bags were here. That must mean his father was in his study. Spock grabbed something from one of the bags and went down the hall.

"Father?" He knocked. He was not allowed in there when his father was working, but he hoped this time could be an exception.

"Come in."

Spock opened the door to see Sarek's back was turned to him. He was looking out the open window at the night sky. Spock approached and stood by him. He forgot how dark the moonless nights were here. The city skyline was not visible from this side of the house, just the mountains.

"I got this for you when I went to the ocean." Spock held up the spiral shell. There was still Terran sand inside.

Sarek took it and examined it. He turned it and let the sand trickle out into the other palm. He then poured it back in and placed the shell on his desk in the miniature zen garden he had. Spock thought that looked nice.

"I want to ask you about Mother. She told me she wanted me to know, but that she was too sad to say it. I want to understand. Is she going to be alright?"

"Physically, she is fine. She is healthy. Her body has recovered completely. It is an emotional scar that she is now suffering from. I have one as well." He turned back towards the window. "Spock, your mother had a miscarriage."

"Mother was pregnant?" Spock gasped.

"Yes." Sarek stared ahead. "We found out a few weeks before you left. I tried to do everything I could to ensure it would be alright. Since it was unplanned, we did not know to do the proper prenatal care she needed. Still, I made her decaffeinated tea every day, and rubbed her feet."

Spock remembered seeing that, but he did not know that was why. Why didn't they tell him as soon as they knew? He didn't dare ask why. Instead, he just silently stared up his father, silently urging him to continue.

"That is why she was reluctant to let you go. I told her that was illogical. You would be safe, and it would give us time to focus on her and the baby. But the truth about hybrid pregnancies is that they are not like normal pregnancies. They must constantly be monitored. Due to us not knowing during the crucial first weeks, she lost the child."

Spock did not know what to say. His father was never one for physical affection, but then again, he'd never heard his father sound so sad. Spock slowly reached towards Sarek's hand.

"Since this child was not planned, it is logical to say that I should not be sad that it is gone."

"Father, how can you say something like that!?" Spock pulled his hand back and looked up at him, eyes wide with shock.

"You are misunderstanding. I mean that I should feel that way logically, but I do not." He looked at Spock, and Spock could see the same shininess in his eyes of threatening tears. "I am…sad. It makes me think of the two children we lost before you were born."

"I did not know that." Spock said quietly, wrapping his small hand around his father's finger.

"As I said, hybrid pregnancies can be difficult. They were planned, but at the time, they did not know what we know now on how to maintain one. What medical science knows of Human-Vulcan pregnancies they now know from you."

"Me?" Spock blinked.

"You are the oldest surviving one." Sarek looked down at him. "I have wanted to talk to your mother about something that might make her feel better, but I wanted to discuss it with you first, since you are also a part of this family, and it is something that will affect you as well."

"What is it?" Spock asked, even though he had a good guess.

"How would you feel about us having another child?"

"I would like that." Spock nodded. "I think Mother would too. Having something to take care of sounds nice." He was already thinking of everything he could teach a baby, such as how to play chess and hide and seek.

"Then I will discuss it with her." He nodded. "Thank you for the shell. It has been a long time since I have visited the Terran ocean."

"You are welcome. I got Mother something too. I should give it to her." Spock left his father's office and went back to his room to get the present.

In the kitchen, Amanda was reading at the table as a nice soup sat on the stove. Spock peered into the pot just for a moment to make sure there wasn't anything in it he disliked in it, before handing her the packet of sunflower seeds.

"Romar told me that they can grow here. They can reach over ten feet from Vulcan sunlight."

"Really?" She smiled. "That's so nice of you! There's a space in the back garden that I've been wondering what to do with. Thank you."

"Are you feeling alright now? I talked to Father…"

She pulled him onto her lap and hugged him. He took this to mean she was feeling better, but was still hurting. Spock was glad he was back home so that he could take care of her.

He decided that after dinner, he would try to find texts in the Vulcan database on hybrid pregnancies. Perhaps he could find one on sunflower care as well. Even though he missed Jim, it was nice to be back.

Spock had found it in the database and had even printed it out. There were pictures and even snippets of handwritten notes from the scientist's notebook. Romar's daughter had somewhat messy handwriting.

Spock leafed through the pages of Terran Plant Care by T'Bree and found his favorite page. It showed the tallest sunflower ever grown on Vulcan. It was ten feet tall. Romar had told him that the picture was of a sunflower from his own garden that she'd given him. He said that it was sadly destroyed by a sandstorm over a decade ago. The ones in Spock's yard were only three feet high, but there was still time. There were also still seeds left in the pack that his mother kept in a safekeep box in her room.

"Spock, is that homework?" Amanda stepped around him where he was sprawled on the living room floor.

"Sort of. It is research. I need to go outside and measure the plants."

"You measured them yesterday." She chuckled. "You need to do your school work."

"I finished it." Spock had, mostly. This was much more interesting than even his favorite math. He turned on his PADD and flipped to the book of prenatal care. "How do you feel?"

"I feel fine." She smiled down at him.

"Is that good? Pregnant women are supposed to feel sick." Spock consulted his texts.

"Spock, we do not know if I'm pregnant yet." She said. "It is too soon to tell."

"Are you sure? Maybe you should take a test just in case. How many days has it been since you and Father –"

She crouched down and firmly placed her hand over his mouth. Her face was red, but she did not look angry. More amused, than anything.

"Spock, that's none of your business. I know you care, but this is an adult matter, between me, your father, and the doctor." She took her hand off. "Now, no more questions. Go upstairs and do your homework. Now."

"Yes, Mother." Spock gathered his notes and went upstairs.

He did not understand why she wouldn't tell him things just because they were adult. Couldn't they see how grown up Spock was now? In the past month since he returned home, he'd been helping out around the house and even with dinner. That seemed quite adult in his opinion.

He also had something that completely ensured a stable adulthood. A human betrothed. That may still be a secret, but he still felt proud.

He sat at his desk and called Jim on his PADD. When he answered, he saw that Jim was also doing homework.

"How is your math coming along?" Spock asked, opening his astronomy textbook.

"Done! Look at this." Jim held a paper up to the screen. It seemed to be a math test with a red A in the corner. "That's my second A this year. My mom said if I get honor roll, she'll get me a present I've been really wanting."

"What present?" Spock read each page in his book carefully, while his free hand transcribed notes.

"A guitar. I wanna be able to play music with you some more. At first, I wanted a bike, but then Sam told me I can have his old one. I just need to learn how to fix it up."

"I would greatly enjoy playing music with you." Spock looked up at the screen. "I do not think there are any professional Vulcan musicians who perform with humans."

"Well, we can be famous together and tour the whole galaxy." Jim laughed. "How's your mom? Is she having a baby yet?"

"Unconfirmed." Spock sighed.

"You said that yesterday." Jim rolled his eyes.

"They will not tell me anything, because I am just a child." Spock said.

"My mom told me to stop asking, too. She says it's your parent's business, but like, I wanna see a Vulcan baby! I bet it's super cute!" He laughed.

"They are. That reminds me, how is my name sake?" Spock greatly missed the farm animals.

"Good. He keeps chasing the hens. I think he wants to mate." He laughed harder.

"Oh, dear."

"It means more baby chickens!" Jim seemed pleased about that. "I miss you, you know. I can't wait for Christmas."

"Neither can I."

"I found our menorah in the attic." Jim said. "And uh…some mistletoe."

"That is a plant?"

"Yes…" He laughed. "I'm teasing you. You don't get it, do you?"

"I do not." Spock admitted. He heard his father arrive home downstairs. "I have to go."

"Me too. I gotta eat dinner."

On his PADD, Spock switched over to the database and searched mistletoe. Under the ceremonial uses for the plant, Spock saw exactly what Jim had meant. He felt himself blushing, and when he tabbed back over to confront Jim, he saw that he'd already hung up.

Spock got the news that his mother was pregnant a few days later after school. Spock happily called Jim and told him the news. From that day on, Spock tried to help his mother with everything. He helped her cook and tend the garden and clean the house.

Romar helped too. He was out in the garden hanging the washed sheets on the clothes line so they could dry in the Vulcan sun as Spock examined the vegetables and flowers.

"Why doesn't mother go to the doctor every day?" Spock wondered when he realized it'd been almost a week since her last check-up.

"That is not necessary for pregnant women." Romar said. "Your father can give her the vitamins she needs, and check her vitals with the thermometer."

"But hybrid pregnancies are much more complicated." Spock stepped back from the sunflowers, which were now as tall as he was and went to help hang laundry.

"I am aware. My bond-mate had twins. That is also a complicated pregnancy, but it is illogical to go to the doctor everyday unless something is actually wrong."

Spock had never known Romar had more than one child, but he never seemed to shy away from talking about his family. Perhaps it was just that Spock never thought to ask, rather than he didn't want to talk about it.

"Why do you work for us?" Spock asked as he stood on his toes to hang his one of his damp school uniform.

"Your father pays me." Again, he seemed amused.

"But who cooks and cleans at your house if you are always here?"

"My bond-mate." He answered.

"Oh." It was obvious. "I thought maybe you had your own housekeeper, and your housekeeper had a housekeeper at their house, and it went on and on. It seems silly now that I think about it, though."

"That is an amusing thought, but that is not how it is in most cases. I think your father just wants to make things easier for your mother."

"Do you miss your bond-mate while you are here?"

"Sometimes." Romar picked up the empty laundry basket and crossed the yard to the other line where the clothes hanging were already dry. He began pulling them down and putting them in the basket. "But that is part of life."

Spock looked up at him. He didn't know. He didn't know that Spock did not have a traditional betrothal. He also did not know that Jim was his true betrothed. Spock had yet to tell anyone.

But he wanted to tell someone.

"Actually, I…" Spock busied himself by helping fold the dry clothes. "I understand. I am currently betrothed to a human on Earth. We are currently apart and I miss him very much."

In his peripheral vision, Spock saw Romar pause for a second, holding out a sheet with both hands. A moment later, he continued to fold it as if he had not just heard anything odd.

"Your parents are under the impression that the human boy is just a friend." He said.

"I know. It was our decision to be bond-mates. I am not sure what my parents would think, and I do not want to add to my mother's stress."

"I do not think you should worry about them having a negative reaction. That would be quite illogical, as well as hypocritical."

"You are right." Spock still didn't want to say anything just yet. "I'll take these in."

He picked up the basket of folded robes and sheets and started towards the backdoor. When he glanced back, he saw that Romar was standing with his back to the laundry. He was watching the sunflowers gently sway in the breeze.

Spock silently turned around and went back inside.

"How's your end coming?" Amanda asked from the other end of the sofa.

"Optimal." They were knitting a small blanket for the baby. Spock was a slow knitter, but he was getting better with so much practice. Spock secretly wished they'd gone for something brighter than brown, but Sarek had suggest a gender neutral color, since they did not know the baby's gender yet.

"Oops, I think I dropped a stitch." She held up her half and scanned the fabric. "Got it."

"Are you sure you want to be surprised?" Spock did not want to look up in case he messed up.

"We were surprised with you. All that mattered was that you were healthy, and you were. So is your sibling."

"You are not showing yet."

"I feel fatter." She laughed.

"Jim says he bets the baby is a girl." Spock thought of the scenery in Riverside this time of year. Jim seemed so happy when he showed Spock the orange leaves and the costume he was making for some festivity called Halloween.

"That's what Sarek says too." She smiled. "He said you'd be a boy, though. I wonder if…no."

"What?"

"Well, it's too soon for the baby to have any sort of telepathic connection to either of us, isn't it?"

"Those bonds do not form until the child is a few months old." Spock nodded. "Maybe Father is just a lucky guesser."

Still, Spock knew babies could hear from inside the womb. It was too soon for that, but he wanted to practice anyways.

"Hello in there." Spock placed his hands on his mother's stomach. "I am Spock. I am your brother and I will take care of you."

"Watch your hands, dear. My needles." She laughed. "Yes, this is coming along great."

"I agree." Spock held up his end of the blanket and counted the days until her due date in May. December seemed much closer when compared to that.

A few days later, Spock was doing his homework while video calling with Jim. His homework load was starting to get much harder and he was struggling to keep pace with his classmates, who had all had head-starts over the summer.

"And look at these." Jim was showing him his Halloween candy. "Chocolate bats. I bet you aren't even jealous, though. You don't really like candy."

"Some candy is good." Spock looked up from his homework.

"Yeah, I think I have the ones you like." Jim looked down at the pile of candy on his bed.

"Which ones?" Spock didn't really like any. He was just playing along.

"Chocolate…kisses." He laughed.

"I have never had –oh." Spock had to turn away so Jim would not see him blush.

"I was just kidding. I know you don't even like chocolate." He smirked. "But, uh, you do like kisses, don't you?"

"Do you?" Spock countered.

"I asked you first." Jim was blushing.

Spock then heard his parents call him to dinner.

"I have to go eat."

"No, answer the question!" Jim said. "Spock!"

Spock hung up and went down to dinner. As he ate, he was thinking of the answer. It was of course, yes. How could he not enjoy something so fascinating?

November was not cold on Vulcan, but the harvest came in fruitful just as it did on Earth. There was no Thanksgiving on Vulcan either, but it was usually tradition to eat a large meal with your family.

Spock crouched down by the oven and watched their roasted vegetables cook. He stifled a yawn before standing up to examine what was on the stove.

"How does it look?" Amanda asked.

"Good." Spock answered, turning away to yawn loudly.

"Spock, cover your mouth, please."

"Sorry, Mother." Spock pressed his sleeve to his mouth.

"Were you up all night talking to Jim again? That's not very responsible of you, Spock."

"I…" Truthfully, he hadn't been. The truth was that he was doing school work. He didn't just get all A's in his skill dome exams and then come home and do nothing. The only way to keep up with the other Vulcans was for Spock to study way into the night. He was still behind, he knew, but his grades were good.

The only thing that bothered him was that there wasn't a feasible way he could stop his school work for extended time without delaying his completion time for the course.

And he hadn't actually asked about going back to Earth for Christmas yet.

"Hm. This does smell good. I am starving." Amanda opened the oven, and Spock stepped back. He was glad she was hungry and not sick yet. It meant her pregnancy was progressing normally.

"You are eating for two. I can make you a plate if you do not want to wait for the rest." Sarek opened the cupboard for plates and nodded for Spock to set the table.

"Can I eat in my room?" Spock examined his reflection in a spoon to see if his eyes had dark circles under them. It was hard to tell, since his reflection was distorted.

"Now, Spock, this is a family meal. You should eat in here with us. Stay off your PADD for one day. Besides, I'm sure Jim is enjoying a family meal too."

"…" Spock had actually wanted to keep working on his school work before his test on Monday. If he passed that one, then he could cut his study time down by forty-five minutes, as he'd be done with one of his maths. "Okay…"

Spock ate quickly, hoping for his parent's to look away so that he could feed some to I-Chaya. He did like it, but he didn't want to stay too long.

"Mother, Father, I want to ask you something." Spock realized there was no way he could feed their pet his dinner without getting chided, so he settled for not having seconds. "As you know, there is an upcoming holiday on Earth called Christmas. Jim will have time off school, and I wanted to go see him."

His parents looked at each other. Spock immediately felt nervous. Would they have to wait and talk about it privately? That would take such a long time.

"What about your school work?" Amanda asked. "You'll have to take it with you, won't you?"

"Yes." Spock answered eagerly. He'd been thinking the same thing. "I can have the transcribed lectures sent to me every day I promise to keep up with it."

If it meant taking a break from games to finish homework, then he'd do it. He knew Jim would understand. He silently begged his parents to say yes as he glanced between them.

They looked at each other and Spock waited with baited breath. The only sound to be heard was I-Chaya sniffing loudly, hoping for a share of the meal.

"Alright." Sarek nodded. "As long as you keep your school work done, then you can go."

"Thank you." Spock tried to seem calm on this outside, but on the inside he was quite happy.

After the meal, Spock went upstairs and tried to tell Jim the news. It seemed his mother was right, and Jim was busy spending time with his own family. Spock sent a message for Jim to read when he had time and went back downstairs.

He sat on the sofa and tried to study just a bit more for Monday's test, but without meaning to, he fell asleep. Eating such a large meal is likely what did it.

When he woke up, his mother had placed the finished baby's blanket over him. Spock stayed warm underneath, enjoying the way the yarn still retained her human scent from when she'd knitted it. He sleepily reached for his PADD and saw a message waiting from Jim.

Yay! You'll love our Christmas party. There's good food

I also got you a cool present I think you'll like.

Present? Yes, that was a key factor in Christmas. Well, if Jim got him something, then Spock should return the favor. What was it that humans liked? He knew someone who would know.

"That's so sweet that you want to get him something." Amanda said when Spock asked her about it a few days later. He'd had to wait a bit to ask until she was feeling better. It seemed her morning sickness had started the day after their family meal. Spock hoped his father didn't take offense at that.

"But I am not sure what he would like." Spock sighed. "What do humans like?"

"You can't lump us all up like that." She laughed. "You know him well. What do you think he'd like? Don't forget, making a gift is just as nice as buying one."

"Making…" Spock's only tangible talent was knitting. He remembered what Jim said about it snowing often in Iowa in winter. He'd need something warm when he returned from winter break, and he'd said he was tired of blue clothes. "Do we still have brown yarn?"

In late December, Spock packed his things and his parents drove him to the shuttle station. His mother's belly was getting bigger, but it was only noticeable if you happened to be looking, which Spock always was.

"I will be back before the baby gets here?"

"Of course, Spock." She laughed and placed her hands on his shoulders. There were many Vulcans here, but Spock did not mind if they saw his mother give him affection. He was half-human after all, and soon he would not be the only one. "There's plenty of time before the baby comes. I'll talk to them every day about you, so they won't forget, okay?"

"Alright." Spock nodded. Sarek reached down and placed a lumpy package in one of Spock's bags, alongside the sweater Spock had especially made for Jim. "What is that?"

"It is something for you to open on Christmas." Sarek said.

"From Santa." Amanda winked.

"From your Mother and I." Sarek corrected her. "Santa is not real."

"Of course." Spock nodded. "Thank you."

He said his good-byes and got on board. He could not wait to see Jim again. His future bond-mate. He'd been keeping that to himself for so long. He saw the betrothed members of his class sit together, and he used to feel lonely. It was still lonely that he could not always be with Jim, but he was happy knowing he had a betrothed too.

When Jim saw him, he ran to hug him. Spock hugged him back, happy to be on Earth and be able to show his emotions like this.

"Look! I have a picture of Spock the rooster to show you. He's so funny! But he pecked my hand and it really hurt." Jim hurriedly pulled up the picture.

"Fascinating." Spock was not looking at the picture, but at Jim.

The hotel was the same one they stayed in last time. The heated pool was a good place for Spock to show Jim all of the swimming techniques he'd learned at school.

Jim tried to show Spock how big of a splash he could make, but got chided by the lifeguard for trying to get a running start.

They shared the sleeping alcove in the hotel room. Spock laid in his sleeping bag on the floor, while Jim took the tiny cot. They waited until Jim's mother and brother fell asleep, before Spock got in the bed with Jim.

"I saw Santa Claus." Jim whispered.

"Really?"

"Well, not the real one, duh." Jim chuckled. "The one at the department store. I know he's fake, but I still told him what I wanted."

"I though you said you cannot tell anyone a wish, or it will not come true." Spock said.

"This is different. The store Santa is one of the real Santa's agents. You have to tell him what you want, so he can report back to the real Santa."

"I see." Spock knew Santa was not real, but he could not bring himself to spoil it for Jim.

"But I don't get it." Jim sighed. "How can Santa possibly got to every house in one night? And how can he fit down the chimney if he's fat? And this hotel room doesn't have chimney! So, how's he gonna get in?"

"Maybe…" Spock did not want Jim to come to the conclusion that Santa was fake. Not yet, anyways. It was nice that he believed in something. "Maybe his sleigh is actually a Starship. That is how he goes to every house in one night –using warp speed. And the transporters can beam him directly into your house. No chimney required."

"That's genius!" Jim laughed loudly.

He didn't stop laughing until Sam hissed "Shut up!" from his cot. Jim closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep, so Spock did the same. Just before drifting off, Jim reached for his hand. That helped Spock fall asleep soundly.

On Christmas Eve, they all got ready to go to Uncle Pike's Christmas party. Jim's mother made him wear a sweater vest and Jim kept making disgusted faces at Spock over her shoulder.

Spock put on his nicest robes and combed his hair. He was looking forward to meeting such an important person in Starfleet, but Jim just shrugged.

"I've seen him like a million times, and it's not like he's done anything that cool."

"What about fighting Klingon's?" Sam asked with a smirk.

"He didn't really do that." Jim rolled his eyes. "He was lying, but he can't fool me!"

"Says the kid who still thinks Santa's real!" He laughed.

"He is real." Jim muttered under his breath. Spock reached over and took Jim's hand.

"Do not listen to him, Jim." Spock whispered. "You can think he is real if you want."

Captain Pike's apartment was a few blocks from the hotel. Spock admired the wreaths and lights on every street light on the walk over. Christmas was fascinating.

"Where is Jesus?" Spock asked.

"Huh?" Jim laughed.

"I thought Christmas was about celebrating the birth of the Christian figure Jesus, yet I have not seen any Jesus decorations." Spock explained.

"There's one!" Jim pointed to a plastic nativity scene set up in the garden in front of a building they passed.

"Fascinating." Spock took a picture of it.

"Oh, lemme push the elevator button!" Jim ran towards the elevator when they got to the building lobby. He pushed the button and ran out when they arrived on the floor. "Oh, lemme ring the doorbell!"

Jim rang the doorbell outside the apartment. Spock could hear festive music from inside, as well as smell many foods.

A woman answered the door. She was tall with dark hair. She was so beautiful, that for a moment, Spock forgot who he was and what he was doing here. She smiled at them before calling over her shoulder.

"Chris! Winona's here with the kids!" She gestured for them to come inside. "Come on in, guys. We've got tons of stuff to eat. I made it myself."

"Do you have the good cookies or the gross ones?" Jim asked.

"Jim!" Winona shook her head. "Sorry, Una, he doesn't mean it like that."

"Oh, I know. Don't worry about it." She patted Jim's head as he walked past her. She then looked down at Spock and smiled. "You must be Spock. Amsetri tre." She held up the ta'al.

"Lesek." Spock knew that he should always act appreciative of humans attempting to speak Vulcan to him, even if they did get the pronunciation a little off.

"What'd she say to you in Vulcan?" Jim asked when Spock found him eating cookies.

"She said they were honored by my presence." Spock looked through the chocolate cookies for one with raisins.

"Wow, I wish I knew how to say that." Jim said. "I'd say it to you all the time! Whenever I saw you!"

Captain Pike was in the living room watching some sort of sport on the video screen. Spock recognized it as football. Sam was sitting beside him, looking as if he thought himself too mature for the festivities.

"Hi." Captain Pike help up the ta'al as well. "You must be Spock. Jim has told me everything about you. Nice to meet you."

"Thank you for having me in your home, Captain." Spock wished he knew more Starfleet standard words of respect.

"You can just call me Chris. You know, I've been to Vulcan a few times before. It's a beautiful place."

"Yes, it is." Spock nodded.

"Tell us about when you fought the Klingons!" Jim jumped up beside him on the couch.

Despite it likely being a fictitious story, Spock listened politely. He then went around and admired the decorations. The Christmas tree was plastic, but Spock still took a picture of it.

Jim led him under a doorway where mistletoe was hanging. Spock did not realize that's what that was, until Winona came over to call them for dinner. Jim jumped back, embarrassed, and said they were just admiring the garlands hanging.

Dinner was mostly vegetables, which Spock was very pleased about. Captain Pike and his wife asked Spock many questions about Vulcan life, and Spock told them all about his school, his sehlat, and his mother expecting a baby.

"Jim told me you like science." Pike said.

"I do greatly enjoy science." Spock nodded.

"You know, you could always join Starfleet if you really like discovering things. Our science officers discover new things every day. They work in labs, too. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"It does." Spock thought he sounded slightly patronizing, but he did not mind. That did sound fun. He always had trouble thinking of what to say when observing Earth, because everything was already known. With undiscovered worlds, he would not have that problem.

"You can be my science officer." Jim said. "I can be the captain."

"I thought your dream was to be a musician or a stunt driver?" Spock raised an eyebrow.

"Stunt driver?" Pike laughed. "Are you trying to kill yourself? Don't you know how many bones you'd break?"

"I'm just exploring my options!" Jim raised his hands. "I'm really talented, you know!"

That night in the hotel, Jim placed some cookies he saved from the party out on a plate and said they were for Santa. Spock placed his gift for Jim and gift from his father under the plastic tree in the hotel room.

Jim fell asleep quickly, but Spock stayed awake listening for Santa, as per Jim's request. His argument was that Spock had better night vision and hearing. Around midnight, Spock opened his eyes a sliver and saw Winona placing gifts under the tree. Of course. That made logical sense. Why had Jim never suspected her?

The next morning, Jim woke him up by bouncing on the bed. Spock opened his eyes as he was jostled.

"It's Christmas! Everybody wake up!" He yelled.

"Mmm!" Sam covered his head with a pillow. "It's five in the morning! Go back to sleep!"

"But it's Christmas! And you're already awake."

"Sadly."

"I am awake too." Spock sat up. This was about the time he woke up every morning any ways.

"Good morning." Winona came in wearing a robe and slippers. "Let's see what Santa brought."

"Did you see him last night?" Jim asked Spock in a whisper. "Santa?"

"No." Spock was not necessarily lying. "I fell asleep. I did not see Santa."

Jim got an acoustic guitar from "Santa" and strummed happily, even though he did not know how to play yet. He let Spock try it, and Spock was able to play a few chords based off his knowledge of string instruments.

Spock got a book from "Santa" on constellations. Spock was quite pleased about that, even though he knew it was really from Jim's mother. He opened the package from his parents and gasped.

"A microscope!" He did not mean to sound overly excited.

"Wow, this is a really nice one, too." Winona looked at the box. "This is the same kind they used in the science labs on Starships.

"Really?" His parents must have paid a lot for it. Spock would have to make sure he thanked them. He put it back in his bag without opening it, to make sure it was safe. He then handed Jim the package with the sweater.

"For you." Jim handed Spock a box.

They opened them simultaneously.

"Woah! So warm!" Jim put on the sweater. "And a pretty color."

Spock had measured it on himself when he made it, but he saw now that the arms were a bit too long. Jim did not seem to mind at all, and just rolled them up.

Spock looked down at his very own box of legos. He felt uprising emotion, a sign that the holiday really was getting to him.

"Thank you. I have always wanted some." Spock said.

"You didn't even know what they were until I showed you." Jim laughed. "Come on, let's open them. I thought of something we can make."

It was late afternoon when they were playing alone in the hotel room. They'd made a blanket fort to represent another planet that the lego starship was exploring.

"Captain, we are approaching a giant." Spock said.

"Giant? Where?" Jim looked around.

"Here." Spock held the ship up eye-level with him. "It is you."

"Me?" Jim laughed. "You're so weird sometimes."

Spock looked down at the tiny lego people in Starfleet uniforms and wondered if Jim understood that compared to them, they were both giants.

That night, Spock and Jim stayed up late watching some strange animated movie Jim had on his PADD. Spock did not understand most of it, but it was Christmas themed, and Jim seemed to enjoy it.

"Light's out, kids." Winona poked her head in the tiny alcove where their cot was. They'd stopped pretending that Spock was going to sleep by himself on the floor.

"In a sec." Jim mumbled. Spock reached over and turned off the lamp on his bedside. Jim's was still on, but Spock could tell Jim was close to falling asleep. Spock would turn it off then.

"Five minutes, bud." Winona went back to the bedroom and closed the door. Spock could already hear Sam snoring.

"Hey, Spock." Jim turned off his PADD and pulled the covers up to his chin.

"Yes?" Spock was expecting Jim to ask him to get him a drink or something. He sat up and pushed back the covers.

"I, uh, wanted to ask you something." Jim said quietly.

"Do you want me to get you some water?" Spock asked.

"What? No."

"Oh." Spock laid back down and rolled to face Jim.

"I was just wondering…do you still think about us growing up and getting married?" His voice was muffled where he seemed to be hiding his face under the covers.

"Yes." Spock said.

"Oh. I mean, good, cuz I do too sometimes." Jim glanced away for a moment. "I wanna give you something else, okay?"

"What is it?"

"Close your eyes."

Spock closed his eyes just as Jim had said. He could hear him breathing and feel him inching closer on their shared pillow, but he then stopped. Spock knew that Jim wanted to give him a kiss, yet he seemed quite shy about it. The first, Jim had said he'd done it several times before, but Spock wondered now if that was even true.

"There is no need to be nervous." Spock opened his eyes and saw that Jim's were open too.

"I'm not!" He said defensively, his face red. "You think I'm some kinda baby or something?"

"Not at all."

They both jumped a tad when they heard Winona come back in.

"Okay, lights out. Bed time." She looked as if she was expecting an argument. Instead, Jim quickly turned off the light without making a fuss. "Nighty-night. Love you."

"Love you." Jim mumbled, watching her walk back to the bedroom. When the door closed again, he turned back towards Spock. "I guess we should go to sleep."

"Yes, I suppose we should." Spock waited a few seconds. "In one second."

"Why?"

Spock leaned over and kissed Jim on the mouth. It was very unVulcan to feel nervous, but even more so to feel elated, so he tried not to feel anything. It lasted only a second before Spock pulled back.

"Good night." He rolled over and pulled the blanket over his head.

His heart was beating so fast, he was sure Jim could hear it. It was a good thing that it was so dark and that he was completely under the blanket –because it was not very Vulcan to be smiling so much.