A/N: I'm just so excited to share this with you all. If I'm going to fast, tell me and I'll back off. I promise.
"What is it? Who was on the comm.?"
"That was my father. He is on his way here now and requests that you and I be waiting in the main room when he arrives. He did not seem pleased," Spock finished in a low tone.
"Well, whatever got his panties in a twist, we'll handle it together. God knows I've had it out with my mom in front of guests plenty of times, I guess this is just cosmic payback." Jim smiled sweetly at his significant other; however it did not change the faint look of horror on Spock's face.
"I suggest you get dressed. I will be waiting in the next room." With that proclamation he grabbed his shoes and exited the room. Jim narrowed his eyes at the door. Something fishy was going on, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. If this crap kept up, maybe they both should go stay with Solion. He tugged on his jeans and carefully slipped his shirt back on. Smoothing out the wrinkles, he sat and laced his shoes on and walked out of the bedroom.
"So, uh, when's dinner around here?" Jim began in jest. Spock looked up at him and then turned away again to finish lacing his shoes. "Ooookay. Tough crowd. Spock, I gotta tell you, whatever the hell's going on you're kind of scaring me. What did your father say?"
Spock closed his eyes briefly. "His exact words were not the issue. The tone is what is bothering me. He is … well, he is furious. Do not worry yourself, ashayam. I believe this is going to be directed at me."
"Then why did he call me on the carpet as well?" Jim began to pace in front of the hallway. Spock watched him for a moment and remembered all the times he had seen this movement on the bridge of the Enterprise. Usually it signaled that James T. Kirk was gearing up for a fight. "No," Jim continued. "It's definitely both of us. Where did he go?"
"He had a meeting at the embassy," Spock answered. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, both Spock and Jim froze.
"He didn't," Jim growled.
"He would have," Spock admitted. They were on the same wavelength, just as they usually were in battle.
"That conniving little son of a bitch." Jim dropped into the other chair and covered his face. "Shit shit shit. Fuck. Dammit. Crap." When he had run out of curses he fell silent. "I was hoping he didn't see."
"Even if S'Taren missed the hand-holding, he probably eavesdropped on the conversation. He is calculating enough to find ways around the precepts." Spock gave a small sigh. "This is my fault, Jim. You tried to warn me, but I was too proud to admit my species would stoop to gossip and slander. I will take full responsibility when my father arrives."
"The hell you will!" Jim exclaimed. "It takes two to tango. You're not going down for this on your own. We're a team, in every way; we stick together."
Spock stood abruptly, walked over to Jim, and drew him into an embrace. "I apologize, t'hy'la. I will not try to shut you out again." Jim returned the hug and patted Spock on the back. The sound of an aircar barely reached their ears and they withdrew.
"Ready, ashayam?" Spock whispered.
"I'm with you," Jim muttered back, standing.
The door to the domicile opened fiercely and was shut with due haste. Sarek stalked in to the sitting room and stopped short. Facing him were not two frightened lovers but the Captain and First Officer of the starship Enterprise. They were standing at parade rest, and when he paused they came to attention. He eyed them suspiciously.
"You know why I am here," Sarek began menacingly.
"Yes, sir." Both answered in unison.
Sarek's anger began to grow, rather than dissipate. Were they not taking this seriously? He walked up in front of them and looked back and forth at them. "Do you know what I was informed of this evening, in front of my entire staff and three foreign ambassadors?" His eyes were dilated and his breath came in long, measured intervals. "Do you know what was said to me?"
The boys remained silent, still at attention. Sarek made a fist that trembled with the tension of holding back his wrath.
"Your son and his mate were in S'len's, Ambassador. They seemed quite cozy, holding hands and speaking affectionately. What a wonderful pair they make. It seems mating with a human is a family trait." Sarek's voice mocked the calm delivery S'Taren had given.
At the mention of his family, Spock breathed in sharply. "He mentioned my mother?" he growled, breaking attention.
"Easy. Stand down, Commander," Jim spoke carefully. Spock seemed to remember his place and returned to the rigid stance.
"That is how it is? You let your plaything control your behavior? Is that what it has come to, Spock?" Sarek hissed. Neither moved from his position. "You would bring such shame on your family Spock? Consorting with a human male in public. Did you think no one would notice?" Sarek waited a full minute in silence before he ground out, "Answer me!"
Jim cut his eyes to the enraged man. "I will answer for both of us, Ambassador. We are not ashamed of our relationship, nor were we flaunting it. Perhaps before you fly off the handle, you should consider which side you will align yourself with. A co-worker or your own flesh and blood?"
"How dare you…" Sarek whispered.
"How dare you," Jim replied coolly. "Did you think we are so besotted that we would not behave responsibly in public? To hell with your reputation, Ambassador, we have our own to consider. I did not do a single thing I would not have wanted broadcast to the Admiralty." Having said this, Jim stepped in a bit closer and lowered his voice dramatically. "And your little friend S'Taren? He engendered all the peace and good will of a Denebian slime devil. If you're worried about people setting the wrong example, perhaps you should start with your own office, sir."
"Captain, you are no longer welcome in my home. Please remove yourself." Sarek seethed.
"Father, I regret to inform you that if you eject my t'hy'la I will be joining him." Spock's voice was steady and strong. Jim smiled wickedly at Sarek.
"T'hy'la?" A faint look of surprise crossed Sarek's severe features. "Are you certain of this?"
"I would not have made the proclamation were I not," Spock answered. The three men stared each other down for another silent minute. Finally, Jim raised his hands in surrender and backed away from Sarek.
"Okay, let's all take a breath here. We're getting out of hand. Maybe we should start this over. Is that alright with you two?" he asked Spock and Sarek.
Sarek blinked. "Very well."
Spock nodded. "Agreed, Captain."
Jim motioned to the two chairs. "Cop a squat." Spock, adjusted by now to his captain's odd speech patterns, nodded. Sarek frowned slightly, but didn't say anything. Jim folded his legs gracefully underneath himself and settled on the floor. Sarek and Spock glanced at each other and sat down too.
"Okay, so here's where I understand things to be. Let's start with grievances first. Sarek, you went to work and were confronted by a coworker with embarrassing and quite frankly personal news. This was done in hearing range of several other people. How did you react to this?" Jim had slipped into diplomatic mode.
Sarek blinked. "I pretended the information was nothing new and that it did not affect me."
"But it was new and did affect you," Jim pointed out.
"Yes. I would have preferred to receive news of my son's personal life from my son himself." The rebuke did not go unnoticed.
"Okay, okay, claws in everyone. What did you want Spock or myself to do to repair the situation? What did you want of us when you returned home?"
Sarek looked taken aback at the question. "I wanted an explanation."
"Okay, we'll start there. Spock, will you take over?" Jim fielded the question to his First.
"Certainly, Captain. Father, the explanation is as follows. I took Jim to the city so we could speak freely, away from you. We were both uncertain at that time as to our relationship. I requested a private booth and when seated spoke to Jim in a hushed tone. Nothing was done to draw attention."
"But you were seen holding hands," Sarek objected.
"That may be true. However, it was done beneath the table, out of view. We were not planning on making a scene. Instead, we were confronted by S'Taren, who antagonized the captain until he got a response. Even in his anger, Jim was restrained and forcibly polite. We exited the restaurant and returned home." Spock ended his account and looked at his superior officer, awaiting further instructions.
"And between then and now you have decided you are t'hy'la?" Sarek posed incredulously.
"There are mitigating factors in our decision. I would no more explain them to you than I would expect an explanation from you about you and Mother's bond," Spock replied.
"I answered that once," Sarek pointed out.
Spock gave a small shrug. "My answer is the same. I love him."
"So from where I sit it seems that you, Ambassador, were publicly embarrassed at your workplace by an individual who may have had an ulterior motive. Does this summarize your situation correctly?" Jim wrapped up. Sarek nodded mutely. "You have received an explanation of the incident from both sides now. Is there anything further we can do to ease your situation?" Jim locked eyes with Sarek.
"There is one thing," Sarek remarked. Jim waved a hand in acceptance. "Could I at least be among the first to know of your bonding?" he asked meekly.
Jim smiled and nodded. "I think that can be arranged." He turned to the other Vulcan. "Spock, do you have grievances against Ambassador Sarek?"
Spock was taken aback and forced to think for a moment. "Will you force me to leave Jim?" he asked finally. Jim frowned slightly and looked over at Sarek.
Sarek mulled over his answer for longer than strictly necessary. At last, his eyes softened and he looked at his son. "No, child. I will not force you to leave your mate."
A look of aggravation flashed through Spock's features. "Father, I am no longer a child."
Sarek shook his head sadly. "You will always be my child, even as an adult. Perhaps one day you will understand."
Jim digested this tidbit in silence, then slapped his hands down on his thighs. "Okay, are we good to go?" He looked between the other two.
"Yes Captain," Spock spoke quickly.
"Indeed, Captain," Sarek echoed.
Jim got up off the floor and grinned at Sarek. "You can still call me James if you want. I promise I won't call you Dad. Yet." With that parting shot he headed back into the bedroom. When he emerged it was with two familiar parcels. "Okay, diplomacy makes me hungry. Who wants to eat?"