The ride to Sarek's house was silent, too, but this silence seemed to seep into the very pores of the beings it surrounded. This was a heavy, painful silence. No one was inclined to end it; Jim got the courage up once or twice, only to be given a look by Spock as soon as he drew in breath to speak.
I guess this is what passes for family time on New Vulcan, Jim speculated. The vehicle slowed to a stop and everyone got out. Spock took his bag and went in the house without looking back at either Jim or his father. Sarek glanced at Jim and followed his son in. Jim stood outside in the sun, blinking back confusion that had been building since he arrived on this planet. Finally, the heat got to him and he picked up his belongings and followed the others inside.
The house was very sparsely furnished; honestly, it made Solion's place look like a resort. There were no pictures on the walls or in frames on tables. There wasn't a couch or comfy chair in sight. As Jim shut the door, he waited warily to see if the water ritual was going to be repeated. He doubted Sarek had Kool-Aid in his kitchen cabinets. After a few quiet minutes of nothing, Jim walked over to Spock, who had pulled off his robe and was unpacking his belongings in the sitting room.
"Hey. Uh, need any help?" It was lame, but it was all Jim could think of to say. After such a long quietude, his voice sounded ten times too loud. He winced.
Spock pitched his voice lower. "You will be staying in the guest room. Down the hall, on the left." He didn't make eye contact. Jim started to get very frustrated.
"Spock, we need to talk," Jim hissed under his breath. Spock glanced back at the hall, and then shook his head.
"Not here. Later. I will take you into the city." Spock began buttoning up a dress shirt over his undershirt.
"But-" Jim interjected.
"Not here." Spock repeated forcefully. Jim blew out a breath of aggravation and practically stomped down the hall. The bedroom was very tiny, big enough for the bed that inhabited it and that was all. He flung his pack on the bed and sat down hard, dropping his head in his hands.
What in the holy hell was wrong here? If the whole ritualistic nature of the visit to Solion's had him uncomfortable, its conspicuous absence here was downright horrific. Maybe it wasn't done with family members. But Solion was practically family! And then there had been Sarek's reaction to Jim's presence. He seemed taken aback. Apparently Spock hadn't filled in his father that he was bringing company home. Jim's mother was always prepared for an extra person tagging along. But it wasn't so here.
Maybe Sarek didn't expect company. Maybe Sarek was expecting Uhura! That put Jim back on his heels. No, no, maybe he just wanted to be alone with his son. That was better.
Jim knew he couldn't really discuss his budding feelings for Spock with him while they were on the ship. He was hoping they would do it here, like Solion started, but now it seemed all wrong. Spock had said something about going into the city. Where could they talk without being overheard? Suddenly Jim was very paranoid. Good god, man, get a grip, his inner voice told him, sounding very much like Bones. You can have your little love talk and then go about your business. No reason it should be the only thing you get out of this trip.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and completely missed the soft footsteps in the hall. Someone cleared his throat. Jim looked up in surprise to find Sarek standing in the doorway.
"Captain," Sarek began, but Jim jumped in.
"Ambassador, I am so sorry I'm intruding on your family time. I thought Spock had let you know I was coming. I can leave if you would prefer." It all spilled out of Jim in one breath. The Vulcan on the receiving end of this spiel remained motionless. Finally, the silence stretched out and Jim looked away.
"Captain. James. May I call you James?" Sarek sounded exasperated. Jim nodded. "My son had informed me he was bringing a guest. I was simply not expecting it to be you. It is not an unpleasant development." He gestured to the room. "You are quite welcome here."
Spock appeared behind Sarek. "Father, I had promised the captain I would show him the city during daylight hours. May we take your leave?"
If Sarek was surprised, it didn't show. "Certainly, my son. Will you be traveling by foot or will you need the aircar?"
"On foot," Jim and Spock answered at the same time. Spock flushed a little. Sarek nodded.
"It is a two hour journey to the city limits. Please time your return before sundown." With that, Sarek turned and walked out of the room.
Jim watched him leave, and then looked back at the younger Vulcan. "So, uh, do we need to say goodbye … or, uh … anything?" He was grappling to find proper words.
Spock looked at Jim rather dispassionately and shook his head once. "We only depart. If you will follow me?" The two walked out to the tiny kitchen of the house, where Spock had filled two water bottles. Spock handed one to Jim and then turned and walked towards the door. Jim was becoming frustrated again. This was going to be the world's longest and most painful vacation ever if this outlandish behavior continued. Maybe he could go stay with Solion. If he could just remember the directions back there….
The pair departed, casting small shadows under the midmorning sun. Jim tried to regulate his breathing while still keeping up with Spock. Either Spock's desert-bred physiology gave him an advantage, or Jim was seriously out of shape. When they had kept up this punishing pace for an hour, Jim's legs began to quiver and he stopped.
"Spock!" he called out, panting. "I gotta stop. Please stop." Spock halted and looked back, alarmed at the tone of Jim's voice. Jim was bent over, hands on his knees, trembling slightly. Spock dashed back and reached down to place a hand over Jim's heart. He stood there for a moment, and then nodded.
"Your heart rate is accelerated, but not alarmingly so. Is your breathing labored?" His words sounded clinical but the worry in his eyes was very evident.
Jim shook his head and bent over. "Just gotta … catch my breath. You walk fast!" he exclaimed.
Spock removed his hand from Jim's chest and placed it on his back, in support. "Can you continue, or do I need to return and retrieve my father's aircar?"
Jim huffed out in amusement. "I'm not going to expire right here, Spock. I just need to catch my breath. And maybe not walk three miles an hour?" he joked. He wiped the sweat away from his forehead and slowed his breathing.
"I apologize, Capt-Jim, I did not anticipate the effects of the atmosphere or weather on a human body. Do you wish to continue?" he asked again.
Jim nodded. "Unless you and I are going to have our first lovers' spat here in the middle of the desert, we'd better keep going." Jim didn't miss the shock that sprang up on Spock's features at the word 'lovers', nor did he miss the fact that Spock didn't correct him. He counted that as a small victory. He was just about ready to go when he noticed Spock scrutinizing the side of his head.
"Uh … Spock? Whatcha doin?" Jim asked, holding still just in case. Spock frowned and touched the top of Jim's ear, causing Jim to yelp in surprise.
"It is as I feared," Spock remarked. "I was distracted and did not have you apply your sunscreen. You are burning, Jim." Spock seemed very remorseful. "There is no alternative. We are at the halfway point. Either we return to my domicile and tend to your burns, or we seek assistance in the city. It is your decision, sir." Spock stood up straight. He was at attention. Oh, no no no, Jim's mind raced. We're not going back to Captain and Commander now.
"Spock. Listen to me." Jim reached out and took his hand tentatively. Spock stiffened for a moment, and then relaxed. "It's just me," Jim spoke in a soft undertone. "We're okay. Don't clam up on me now. I know you've got to be the perfect Vulcan for your father and the perfect officer on the ship, but right now it's just you and me. You're safe," he whispered.
Spock squeezed his hand a fraction. "Thank you. Jim. I will remember that." He let go and nodded to the west. "We have just under a mile to go. Shall we continue?"
Jim smiled. "I'm right behind you."