A/N: Merry Christmas, please don't hate me. Blame my sounding board RBnC for making me stop the chapter here.
xXx
Spock looked around the large ballroom where the Starfleet Christmas Party was taking place. The Earth holiday intrigued him with its various intricacies and traditions.
Spock tugged at the collar of his dress shirt, the tie around his neck felt too tight for his liking. He suddenly felt a hand ghost along his lower back and turned to find a familiar blonde smiling at him.
"I hope you know CPR, 'cause you take my breath away" Jim said resting his hand on the small of Spock's back.
"I do not understand, your breathing appears to be normal" Spock replied to which Jim chuckled.
"It's just my way of saying you look really good tonight Spock" Jim said curling his first two fingers around Spock's in a Vulcan kiss.
"James this is highly inappropriate seeing as we are not alone" Spock stated a green flush creeping up his cheeks.
"I know, I couldn't resist; you just look so damn good in a suit" Jim replied letting go of Spock's hand.
"I must admit you do not look unpleasant yourself" Spock said. Jim gave Spock a shy smile at the compliment.
"Jim we've been looking all over for you" Winona said walking up to the boys with an Admiral and blonde girl around their age in tow.
"Good evening Mrs. Kirk, I must say you look exceptionally beautiful tonight" Spock said to Jim's mother.
"Why thank you Spock, I didn't expect to see you here" Winona replied.
"My father's ambassadorial status garnered my family an invitation" Spock explained.
"Ah huh, I must say hello to your mother then" Winona said absently.
"You said you'd been looking for me mom?" Jim interjected.
"Yes. This is Admiral Marcus and his daughter Carol. The Admiral mentioned that when the winter holidays are over Carol will be enrolled at Enterprise Academy. I thought you two should get to know each other that way she'll already have some friends there" Winona stated.
"Hey Carol, my names Jim and this is my boyfriend Spock" Jim greeted the blonde girl holding out a hand.
"Pleasure" Carol replied shaking Jim's hand.
"Don't worry sir we'll take good care of your daughter. I'm sure we'll get along swimmingly" Jim said to Admiral Marcus with his trademark charming smile. Marcus narrowed his eyes at Jim before nodding and walking back into the crowd of officers.
"I expect you'll behave yourself Jim" Winona warned.
"Always mom" Jim said holding up a hand and placing another over his heart. Winona shook her head and walked away.
"So Carol what's your focus going to be?" Jim asked the blonde girl, sliding an arm around Spock's waist.
"Much to my father's despair I wish to become a science officer" Carol answered in a pronounced British accent.
"Why? What path would he prefer you to take?" Jim asked.
"He thinks my skills would best be suited as a starship Captain" Carol answered.
"Nothing wrong with Command" Jim commented.
"Not at all, I just believe I wouldn't have the capacity to be able to make all those decisions tacked on to being a Captain. It takes a special kind of person to command a ship" She replied.
"On that point I would have to agree with you Miss Marcus" Spock said with a fond smile to Jim.
"Please Spock, Carol" the girl corrected and Spock nodded his acknowledgement.
"So I'm starved, would you two like to accompany me in my search for some food in this joint" Jim said holding his free arm to Carol.
"It would give us something to do if we descend into an awkward silence" Carol answered looping her arm with Jim's. Spock raised an eyebrow but walked with the pair of blondes, Jim's arm still around his waist.
xXx
Spock stood by the burning fireplace in Sulu's guest house watching his friends socialize around the room. It was Christmas Eve and Sulu had decided to throw a party for Alpha team. Some clever hacking done in joint effort by Chekov and Scotty and the group had the replicator in the kitchen dispensing alcohol.
Spock scanned the room wondering where Jim could have disappeared to, his eyes settling on Carol Marcus and Uhura chatting animatedly on the couch. After spending most of the Starfleet Christmas party talking with the girl Jim decided to invite her to Sulu's party to meet the rest of their friends. After some initial unease Carol had fit right in with group, instantly gravitating towards Uhura being the only other girl in the group.
Jim came in from the kitchen two drinks in his hand, smiling when he spotted Spock by the fireplace. The blonde strode over to Spock but instead of handing over one of the drinks Jim set them both down on the mantel.
Spock was pleasantly surprised when Jim threw his arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. Spock returned the kiss wrapping his arms around the blonde's waist pulling him closer.
Jim pulled back a few moments later, blue eyes sparkling as he stared into Spock's.
The blonde gasped before whispering, "I love you."
Spock raised an eyebrow but before he could answer verbally Jim was speaking.
"You don't have to say it back; I just wanted to let you know. I understand if you find love illogical."
Before Spock could answer, the rest of their friends came over. Uhura bounced over to where the two stood and placed a kiss to Spock and Jim's cheeks.
"I am confused by that display of affection" Spock said aloud. Jim was wearing a wide grin and Uhura was giggling.
"You're standing under mistletoe" Carol explained pointing at the plant hanging over his head.
"I do not understand the significance of standing under a plant and it's correlation to being kissed" Spock stated.
"Oh" Carol said surprised. "It's a Christmas tradition that if you stand under mistletoe you have to be kissed. If I remember right the plant was a symbol of male virility."
Spock nodded and proceeded to step out from under the mistletoe grabbing his drink off the fireplace mantel.
"Now that the lesson in human holiday traditions is over let's open presents" Bones said grabbing a few gifts out from under the tree and handing them to their recipients.
Gifts were exchanged amongst the group, Jim handing out his last. He smiled savoring the reactions to each of his friends finding that the gift suited them perfectly. His favorite reactions were Chekov, Carol, and Spock's. Carol's was one of surprise to be included in the gift exchange and cooed at the necklace that complemented her eyes perfectly. Chekov bounced up and down like an excited puppy at the sight of a home engineering kit. Spock genuinely smiled at the set of pristine philosophy books Jim had gotten him.
The group drifted apart throughout the guest house. Carol and Uhura were talking softly in the hall, Sulu was helping Chekov build something with his new tools in the kitchen, Bones and Scotty had slipped away from the rest of the group, and Jim and Spock were sitting on the couch in front of the fire cuddling.
Spock was lost in thought over what Jim had said under the mistletoe. He felt deeply for the blonde but he couldn't let himself admit to love knowing that he was still promised to T'Pring.
"Who's T'Pring?" Jim asked curiously after his hand had lightly brushed over Spock's.
"Jim there are certain aspects about Vulcan culture that I have yet to tell you about" Spock replied.
"Ok?" Jim said his tone still curious. Spock let a breath that was approximate to a sigh.
"When their children are young, Vulcan parents seek out a logical choice in a mate for their son or daughter" Spock stated matter of factly.
"So Vulcan's practice in arranged marriage?" Jim asked cautiously.
"Precisely" Spock answered dreading the moment Jim came to the logical conclusion.
"That means that you're technically engaged….to this T'Pring" Jim stated his expression neutral.
"Yes" Spock replied, cringing internally at the lost look in Jim's eyes.
"If I had things my way I would be the one to choose with whom I one day bond with, but that is not how it is." Spock said cupping Jim's face in his hands, letting the affection he felt for the blonde flow across the telepathic bond.
Jim leaned up and kissed Spock softly, confusing the Vulcan with this reaction. Jim pulled away and buried his face in Spock's chest. Spock didn't quite know how to react so he tightened his arms around Jim and stared into the fire watching the flames flicker and pop savoring the time he still had with him.