Never Alone-Chapter 7

Pavel failed to mention that his birthday party also involved a massive bonfire in his backyard. A minor detail in his opinion, but Jim loved it.

"We can set it ablaze and watch the stars after I kick your ass in Rock Band!"

"And eat cake!" added Monty who was playing Call of Duty with Hikaru.

Spock was sitting near the kitchen where Mrs. Chekov and Pavel's younger sisters were icing the cake. As Pavel immersed himself in the slaying of Zombie Nazis with Monty and Hikaru, Jim wandered over to him.

"How are you doing?"

"I was unaware Nyota would be here." Jim followed his gaze to Janice, Gaila, and Nyota, who were dancing next to the stereo to an upbeat techno song unfamiliar to Spock.

"Yeah, she's good friends with the girls and Pavel, but she can't stand me. I guess she couldn't say no to Pavel's puppy dog eyes when he went begging for her to come. Do you two have some kind of history?"

"We…dated previously, but we were not a good match." Jim nodded trying not to look pleased that Spock was no longer with Nyota. He didn't pry for details, even though he was curious, which Spock was thankful for.

"Jim, I never thanked you for keeping my secret."

Jim shrugged. "It's your business, but you know these guys won't care."

Spock nodded thoughtfully. "I have observed as much, but I am not ready for everyone to know I have leukemia."

"So it was a type of cancer. Well, I did meet you in the oncology wing."

Spock nodded again. "May I ask you a question, Jim?"

"As long as were having a heart-to-heart-" He spread his arms wide open in invitation.

"Where are your parents?" Jim looked confused and Spock elaborated, "You take the bus everywhere and you have never mentioned them. None of your friends have even met your step-father." Jim looked away. "If you are uncomfortable-"

"No, no just thinking. Well, my mom works for a cruise line as a navigator for six months at a time. She's actually due home in a few days for a couple of weeks and then she's leaving again. Dad passed away when I was very small, a heart attack, coincidently. My older brother…" He paused. Jim very rarely spoke of his brother. Most people didn't even know he had one. "My brother Sam ran away when I was around six and I haven't seen him since. As for Frank, my step-dad, we don't really get along."

Spock nodded, taking note of the detachment in his voice when speaking of his family. "I see."

"What about you Spock? You're a pretty formal guy, that has to have something to do with your parents."

"My mother is an elementary school teacher, second grade and English-as-a-Second-Language. My father is an ambassador for the United Nations. Since I was very young, I have been brought to formal national and international state dinners, and have lived in other countries. I've always been expected to conduct myself with proper behavior. My father has…high standards."

Now it was Jim's turn to nod. Spock's father sounded like a stick-in-the-mud, to say the least. No wonder Spock was so uptight. Looking back, Jim recalled that when he had first met Spock's dad at the hospital, had not spoken a single word.

"Guys, Pav is going to open his presents!" Hikaru was attempting to gather everyone into a group for cake and presents.

"Well, I guess we should join the party. Nyota won't come near you if you stick with me." Spock did stick with Jim, he even tried his hand at Rock Band on the drums. Jim didn't mind at all, and was more than happy to stay beside Spock when it was time to sing "Happy Birthday." Everyone crowded close together. Spock was pressed just behind his shoulder and their hands kept touching. Jim turned to apologize, only to find a small smile lighting Spock's normally impassive face. Jim smiled back. Spock was probably smiling at Pavel's excited expression or because he was enjoying himself, not because they had almost held hands, but Jim didn't mind. A smile on Spock's face was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

It was late, nearly 11:30 when the party began to wind down. Spock had an eight o'clock appointment in the morning. He said his farewells, thanked Mrs. Chekov for her hospitality, and prepared to leave. Before he left, he cornered Jim by the front door.

"Do you require a ride home?" It was very tempting, a ride home to Jim meant alone time with Spock. It also meant going home to Frank. If he did not return home tonight, Jim would face Frank's fury in the morning, but then again, he could still face it tonight simply for being out with Frank's "permission." There was also the matter of his other friends. This was a rare opportunity. It wasn't often that Jim was either out of the hospital long enough or free of Frank long enough to spend much time outside of school with them.

"No thanks, I'll walk home later or catch a ride with Monty. Or maybe not." Monty had taken BYOB seriously and was very happily attempting to waltz with Gaila, who had obviously shared whatever Monty had brought.

Spock frowned. "I do not recommend walking home in the cold. We are also expecting more rain in the next few hours."

"Okay, okay," Jim held his hands up in surrender. "I won't walk. Hikaru never drinks and he doesn't live far from me." Spock tilted his head in agreement.

"Then I shall see you Monday."

When Jim returned to the group and sat down on the sofa, Gaila took a seat on his lap. Running a hand through his hair she asked, "So Jimmy babe, what's going on with you and Spockie?" If Jim had been drinking he would have sprayed everyone within a three-foot radius as he spluttered incoherently.

"What?" It wasn't an easy thing to catch James Kirk off guard, but Gaila had managed it.

"Oh please! He follows you like a lost stray, can't keep his eyes off of you! And you," She poked him in the chest. "You can't wait to rip his shirt off. I do believe I saw some hand-holding while we were singing Happy Birthday to Pav."

Everyone was staring now.

"There was no hand holding," Jim huffed defensively. " I don't even know if the guy swings that way."

"But you do like him?" she persisted. James T. Kirk was blushing.

"Well, I'll admit he's pleasing to the eye, and smart, and really very kind, and funny in his own way, but-"

Gaila squealed, "You do!" She hit him playfully on the shoulder, "My little Jimmy babe has a crush on Spock! Oh, I can't wait to play matchmaker!"

"Gaila, he probably doesn't even like men!" He wasn't even trying to deny his interest in Spock any more. Nyota was glaring at Jim, and the saying "if looks could kill" came to his mind, but Gaila didn't seem to notice.

"Watching him watch you, Jimmy babe, I bet he does!"