Summer Solstice
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate. ~ William Shakespeare
Three weeks. Twenty-one days. That's how long it had been since Jim and Spock had finally spoken aloud that truth the rest of the crew had already known. That they were meant to be together. Without first-Spock even telling them, they knew they were following in the footsteps of the first Captain and Commander of the Enterprise. And the crew couldn't be more pleased that they had finally admitted it.
Even Dr. McCoy, for all his grumbling about green bloodied hobgoblins, was glad that his best friend had found the peace and security that had eluded him his entire tumultuous life. As Bones sat in Rec Room 6 surrounded by the festivities of the summer solstice party the Captain had approved and Spock had only reluctantly agreed to attend, he marveled at the changes that come over not just the Command Crew but the entire population that inhabited the tin can they were all on. They had gone from raw, fresh recruits, the lucky ones who had survived the Narada incident. Some barely old enough to have left home and hearth, hardly mature enough to handle the enormous responsibilities that had been handed them. They had grown up. They had become officers, the acknowledged pride of Starfleet. The example that was used to inspire other less seasoned veterans, even at their young ages.
Bones smiled to himself as he watched some of those crewmembers dancing with more enthusiasm than talent. Some were eating from the over-abundance of food available, many traditional Earth favorites of summer – corn on the cob, watermelon, hot dogs and hamburgers. There were several real, old-fashioned ice cream churns quietly humming in one corner. They should be ready soon. And the crew would be able to enjoy the delights inside those frosty canisters – rich vanilla ice cream, raspberry sorbet, and Bones' personal favorite – Georgia peach ice cream. He'd donated the real peaches himself. A gift from his ex-wife for his birthday, which he was shocked she had remembered much less acknowledged. An entire crate of peaches, tasting like sunshine and home and nostalgia for a simpler time never to be recaptured.
He spotted Jim talking with a group of crewmembers, all with identical expressions of near worship on their faces. Spock stood patiently beside the Captain, hands clasped behind his back, listening to everything being said. He looked more centered, more at peace than he had since before Vulcan had imploded. And Bones knew that was thanks to the Captain. The love that had fully blossomed between the two had been embraced by the entire crew, happy to be in the reflected joy that they had found.
Bones smiled back when Jim looked over, catching the Doctor watching them. It wasn't many minutes later that Jim and Spock excused themselves, finally able to extract themselves from the circle of the crew to come over to where Bones was sitting.
"Did you want something to drink?" Jim asked Bones and Spock who had already sat next to the Doctor.
"Sure," Bones agreed. "Can you spare some Pepsi?"
"Of course," Jim laughed. He focused on Spock, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Spock?"
"I can go, sir," Spock said, his voice carrying a warmth to it that they didn't usual hear.
Jim shook his head at that, his smile still shining. "Don't be silly. You want some water?"
"Yes, please," Spock agreed, watching him until Jim was engulfed by the other party-goers. When he could no longer see Jim, he turned his focus to McCoy. "Doctor?" he said, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.
Bones smiled at him. "You're very good for him."
Spock considered those words briefly before nodding once. "I appreciate that, Leonard. I had some reservations that you would…."
"Disapprove?" Bones guessed with a laugh.
"Object," Spock clarified. "I know that your relationship with the Captain…with Jim is unique."
"It is. To say the least. But you provide to him something I can't. Have no interest in giving him," Bones laughed.
"Indeed," Spock agreed. "He and I are still discovering all that we have to share."
"Good for you. Do you want to talk about it?" Bones asked quietly, sensing more to the statement than was said.
"I do not know if that would be entirely appropriate," Spock admitted, looking down at his hands rather than the all-knowing eyes of the Doctor.
"I understand," Bones said, waiting. Wasn't long before he knew he had guessed correctly.
"He and I have yet to take our relationship into the area of physical intimacy," Spock confessed quietly.
"And you're concerned?" Bones asked.
"I am surprised," Spock said. "He is a sensual being. I had thought that we would have …explored that aspect of our relationship by now."
"How much experience to you have with men, Spock?" Bones asked gently.
"None," Spock admitted.
"He doesn't want to overwhelm you. You have to know that on some level. Have the two of you melded?"
"Not yet," Spock said. "He wants to wait until we are ready for the next step."
"It will help when you do. Then he'll know how fast to go. How far to take it. I know you aren't usually very assertive, Spock. Not with Jim. But if you take the lead on this, I can guarantee he'll follow."
"You are certain?" Spock asked a little more hopefully.
"How long does it take to get two glasses of Pepsi and a glass of water? Of course I'm sure. He's stalling," Bones said with a smile.
"Ahhh…." Spock said, looking over at the table that held the refreshments. As Dr. McCoy suggested, Jim was holding the three drinks, chatting with Scotty while glancing over at the two of them. "Perhaps he and I can discover a new way in which to celebrate the beginning of Earth's summer."
"Excellent plan," McCoy agreed. "Tell him to bring me my Pepsi before you two disappear."
"Certainly," Spock agreed, standing up and going straight over to where Jim was waiting. The other crewmembers scattered as Spock whispered into Jim's ear. Bones could see that Jim was in absolute agreement with whatever it was Spock had said. An eager ensign agreed to provide the Pepsi to the Doctor who watched Jim and Spock slip out of the Rec Room.
Ah summer, McCoy thought, satisfied with his efforts. The living is easy.