Ch 4 Good News

"Up to six months? Damnit, Jim, what am I supposed to do down there for six months?"

Bones sat with Jim as they ate their lunch. "Well, Bones, I dunno. Maybe try and have some fun."

The doctor rolled his eyes. Jim smiled back.

"Just enjoy it okay? It'll be the last time we see our own planet for a while. Five years is a long time to not see blue skies and trees."

"All I know is I won't have to deal with my ex the longer we're off of this damn rock." Bones took a swig out of his flask, hidden inside of his jacket. Jim smiled and continued his meal, regarding his companion with sympathy. He knew Bones would have preferred never to step close to his ex again, even if it meant leaving the planet altogether.

Jim already has his leave planned out. For the first few months, he would spend time with his mother and brother as much as possible. After that, he would return to Starfleet to make certain that everything was going according to plan with his ship. HIS ship. He smiled.

There was only one thing he was not sure of. He wanted to extend an offer to Spock so that perhaps he could get to know his first officer better. But how?

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It had been an interesting turn of events. Jim looked at his ship for one last time before getting in the shuttle and leaving the dock. They had been told that there would be a shore leave for up to six months. Though Jim thought such a large amount of time was an exaggeration of the damage that had been done, it would be nice to return for a while and just enjoy Earth. Space was amazing, but exploring could get old, especially on the brink or a 5 year journey.

Spock sat next to him, looking out of the window with some interest at the planet below him. Jim knew what was going through his mind. This was his home now. He had lost so much and now he was going home to a planet he was not even remotely familiar with. The only places he had really been on Earth were places that had something to do with the academy. Jim watched his first officer with interest. I just wish he would show some kind of emotion…

Bones was panicking as the shuttle moved above the surrounding complex. He looked at Jim, glared accusingly, and muttered something about death and being sucked out into the atmosphere, brains squishing like a tomato. Jim smirked and returned his attention to his first officer. Spock had intrigued him as they had quickly become friends and he still knew very little of the Vulcan or his background. He wished to spend more time with him, but was scheming of something subtle. But what?

"Spock? Would you like to accompany me when we get landed? I was intending to spend some time in my hometown." Well, so much for trying to be subtle. Jim bit his lip waiting for what would be a logical turn down.

"It would be satisfactory to accompany you and see Iowa. I have never been outside of Starfleet on Earth." Spock's dark eyes now held Jim's gaze. Huh...behind those dark eyes, Jim could see emotion, but he could not put his finger on what it was exactly.

"Cool." Wow, that was the best you could think of? Cool? Jim silently beat himself for the sudden slip of his usual Casanova approach.

Bones looked at Jim with more than shock on his face. He was exasperated with the outright offer. Leaning in closer to the young captain, Bones asked him his top question. "Jim, do you know what you are doing?"

Jim beamed as he replied, "YES, I know what I'm doing Bones. And…I'm gonna bet you that with those Vulcan ears, Spock could hear what you just said."

"Affirmative, Jim." Spock's dark eyes once again roamed from the shuttle's windows to his captain's blue eyes. There it was again…THAT look…but what was it? What did it mean?

Thud-thud. Jim broke the gaze and stared out his own window at the familiar planet below him. They had entered the atmosphere, but still far enough out that it was dizzying to look down at the ground beneath them. He gave a sigh and kept his eyes away from the Vulcan sitting across from him. Damn green-blooded hobgoblin.