Never Alone
Chapter 4
The next few weeks passed in a similar manner. Jim sat beside Spock during astronomy class, and Spock joined Jim for lunch. Jim noted Spock's gradual weight loss and the bags under his eyes, but he made sure no one mentioned it. If Spock wanted to keep his health issues private, Jim would help him.
Spock was no longer being spared the effects of his chemotherapy. Mondays were the worst: a full day of school followed by two hours or more at the hospital, leaving him too sick and tired to finish his homework. Most Monday nights would find him curled up in bed with a garbage bin close at hand. In a desperate attempt to keep up with his classes, he would rise Tuesday mornings at five to finish his schoolwork and then drive to school. Wednesdays were not much better, nor were his Thursday mornings, but at least he had a slight reprieve on Fridays.
Jim never pestered him, and on the occasions he did miss school, always presented him with a detailed, neatly printed copy of the astronomy notes. Spock wasn't sure which was more surprising-Jim's kindness, or the fact that he took notes at all.
"Hey Spock," Pavel looked shyly up at him during lunch one Monday. "Uh, on Friday, uh, it's my birthday and, everyone is coming over. There vill be wideo games and ice cream and a homemade cake, a Russian recipe. Vould you like to come?" The last sentence flew out of his mouth so quickly and was so heavily accented that Spock almost missed it.
"You want me to come?" Spock asked, trying to hide his surprise.
"Vell, only if you vant."
"I - I would be honored, but I cannot stay late."
Pavel beamed as if Spock had given him all of Russia. "I vill text you my address. Come around six or so." Spock nodded.
"Hey Pavel," Hikaru threw a straw wrapper at his friend's head to get his attention. "How old are you going to be, anyway?"
"Fifteen."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "You are turning fifteen years old? I thought you were in 12th grade."
Hikaru answered for Pavel. "He's, like, a super genius; he skipped up a bunch of grades back in Russia. Sort of like Jim. He should only be a junior."
Pavel's face flushed red. "I am not a genius."
"Sure you are, Pav. You should be proud. Brains are hot." Hikaru winked at his young friend, who then turned an even brighter red. Spock watched the interaction between the two, bemused. It would seem Janice was not the only one with a crush.
Amanda breamed at the news when Spock came home from school. "How wonderful! What are you going to wear?"
Spock sighed inwardly. "Jeans and a sweater, I imagine. It is a birthday party, not a wedding or formal dinner."
Amanda Grayson giggled like a schoolgirl. Spock reminded himself that, despite all her quirks, she was a devoted mother who loved him very much, and he returned the affection even if he did not openly show it.
"And this is the boy Jim introduced you to?"
"Yes, Mother."
"I see." She stopped folding laundry to look at her son.
"Why don't you invite Jim over for dinner some time? Your father comes home tomorrow."
Spock's eyes went wide. "Here, for dinner? Why?"
"Well why not, he's your friend isn't he? We could order pizza or something if that would make you more comfortable."
"I will consider the idea."
He started to move toward his room when his mother added, "You could throw a party if you want, dear."
It was a mystery what thoughts went through his mother's mind. Spock did not know any other parents who encouraged their children to throw parties.
It was Wednesday; Pavel's party was on Friday. Spock had another hour and change before he was able to leave the hospital. He had been receiving the chemo for than a month now and was gratified that he still had a full head of dark hair. Dark hair which was currently falling in front of his eyes, as he looked down at his book. It was time for a haircut. The book was dull, the plot predictable, and the writing horrendous. His mother had suggested he read "Twilight" in order to "get in touch with his romantic side." So far, the book was causing more nausea than the chemo. He was bored and still had another hour to go. The rec room was open, but that option did not appeal to him; however, a walk might do him so good. He stood, dragging the IV pole beside him and told the nurse of his intentions. It was Christine Chapel, the nurse Sally had threatened to report Jim to. She was a pleasant blonde woman who "floated" at various areas of the pediatric department. She often assisted Dr. McCoy, the cardiac specialist, when he came to treat pediatric cases such as Jim.
Spock made his way down to the rec room, as there was not much else to visit, and tried to avoid small children. He did not know to handle them the way his mother did. They cried and yelled and Spock could do nothing to comfort them. His mother needed only a few words to have them smiling and laughing again. As if to remind him of his shortcomings he heard a small cry from a little child from down the hall.
"Hey Spock!" Spock gaped in dismay as James Kirk walked out of the rec room beaming at him.
"What are you doing here?"
Jim pouted at Spock's questions. "What, no 'hello'? You're not excited to see me?"
When Spock gave no response he sighed. "I stop by every now and then to visit the kids. I feel bad just abandoning them every time I get released-but guess what!" He leaned his weight onto the balls of his feet in excitement. "Rosie went home yesterday! Clean bill of health."
"That is pleasant news." Spock stood awkwardly not sure what to do or say. Jim, however, had no such problem.
"So, I was heading out because the bus comes in, like, five minutes, but I think I could catch another one later, in, like, two hours. Do you want to play a game or something? It sounds stupid, I know, but it's better than doing nothing. I mean, I don't imagine you're strolling down the hall for fun. There's a deck of cards, checkers, Monopoly, chess, uh maybe Sorry-oh and Clue!"
Spock mulled this over for a minute, still in a bit of shock at the force of Jim's personality.
"Chess would be agreeable and," he paused, "if you do not mind waiting for me to finish here, I could drive you home. More accurately my mother will. She will not let me drive myself here or home for some illogical reason I cannot fathom."
Jim laughed. "She's probably just worrying about you; it's what Moms do-and I would love a ride home. Now, hurry up and get in here while I set up the board."
Jim proved to be quite adept at chess. He explained to Spock that once he was forced to drop lacrosse he joined the chess club. Spock was unaware that the high school even had a chess club. Their game lasted over an hour and they were forced to abandon it only when Mrs. Grayson and a nurse came searching for Spock to disconnect him from his drip.
"You must have been having a good time, Mr. Spock. Your mother says you never lose track of time."
"I was deeply engaged. James is highly skilled at chess."
Jim feigned embarrassment hiding his face in his hands. "Aw, Spock you're making me blush. But you can call me Jim you know-everyone else does."
Spock nodded. "Jim." He turned to his mother, "I promised Jim we would drive him home so he would not have to wait for the bus."
"Oh that's fine," she rubbed Spock's back gently before ushering them out the door.
Once inside the quiet of the car, Spock realized that he was beginning to feel terrible. His mother and James-Jim-chatted quietly the entire way to Jim's. Spock was only vaguely aware when they pulled up in front of a small, slightly neglected looking two-level house.
"Thank you Mrs. Grayson, you've been wonderful." He turned to Spock. "Take it easy, man. We'll have to finish our game later." Spock nodded, but didn't speak. He wasn't sure if opening his mouth was a good idea at the moment. They pulled away as Jim opened his front door.
