Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine. It belongs to Gene Roddenberry. NuTrek belongs to JJ, Orci, and Kurtzman. I am just playing in the arena.

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Kirk and Spock's Epic Adventures

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Chapter Ten: An Excellent Religious Adventure

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While they were on vacation on Earth, Kirk suggested to his new bondmate that they attend the Ash Wednesday service at the Riverside Baptist Church. Spock did not understand why Kirk wanted to go, as neither of them were particularly religious.

Spock had his Vulcan practices and Kirk would preside over Christian weddings on the ship but that was about it. They were both spiritual people, Spock more than Kirk, and they both respected life in all forms. Spock respected the Prime Directive. Kirk… well, he usually liked to cheat.

/Jim, why do you wish to attend a service where those who attend may not recognize our t'hy'la bond due to their old-fashioned close-minded ways of thinking?/

/I think it would be good for PR/ Kirk replied as they were heading towards the church entrance.

Spock decided to be blunt. "Jim, Baptists hate interspecies relationships."

"And homosexual relationships too," said Jim, with a gleam in his eye.

"So you wish to flaunt our relationship in this place of worship? Is that wise?"

"Nope!" Kirk grinned. "That's why I want to do it."

"I do not believe that is logical."

"It's not."

/Jim./

/Spock./ Jim stuck his tongue out at his bondmate.

"You are acting like a child, and not like a captain."

"Right now I'm not the captain of the Enterprise. I'm on vacation with my bondmate and I want to go to church. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that I would rather not make the evening news."

"Please, Spock? I really want to do this. I want to take a stand against all those wackos that say that our love is wrong."

"Will you inform Pike?"

Kirk looked scandalized. "Spock! You are being obtuse on purpose."

"Indeed," said the Vulcan calmly. "Is it working?

"Oh, you." Kirk grabbed Spock's hand and squeezed it.

The Vulcan blushed light green for just a moment.

"Thanks, Spock."

"You are welcome. I believe the human metaphor is "knock them dead".

Kirk rolled his eyes. "We're not going to wear phasers."

"I know. I was making a joke."

Kirk gave his mate a wry smile. "You still amaze me, even though I have access to your head twenty-four seven."

"It is a gift," Spock said serenely.

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So Kirk and Spock went to the Ash Wednesday service. Some people smiled at them when they recognized the Starfleet heroes. Some people looked down on them, as if they weren't wanted there. The minister pretended like he didn't recognize Kirk from when he was a kid and wreaked havoc upon the pre-kindergarten Sunday school class.

It was a somewhat boring service. Kirk zoned out a lot and Spock kept the appearance of hanging on the male minister's every word.

Still, the idea behind the service was a good one - that Jesus had come to earth to help people – all kinds of people, including people outcast by the synagogue.

When it was time to get ashes put on your forehead, Kirk went forward. Spock stayed in the pew.

"Dust in the wind, dude," Kirk whispered to his bondmate, who managed to stop his illogical reaction of wishing to roll his eyes. The quote was from the Terran movie "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures", Stardate 1989. Of course Bill and Ted's favorite number was 69, which did not seem like an appropriate Vulcan thought during a Christian service. Spock was certain Kirk did that on purpose. Spock decided that once they got back to the ship he was going to change his bondmate's diet card to an all-vegetable diet for an entire week as a thank you for the Bill and Ted reference.

The service came to a close without any other 'Kirkian incidents', to Spock's relief. They hurried to the beam up point and returned to the Enterprise.

"The best part was that everyone was wearing your…our clan colors," said Jim as they stepped off the transporter. "I love Lent now!"

This time Spock really did roll his eyes. "You enjoy the Christian holiday of Lent devoted to the death of an illogical, emotional human on a cross because the color symbolizing said holiday is purple?"

"Yes," said Kirk with a cheeky wink.

"I will never understand your sense of humor," Spock muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" Kirk asked.

"You are illogical," said Spock.

"So are you," Kirk retorted. He held out his two forefingers and Spock returned the Vulcan kiss.

"I cherish thee, James," said Spock, in front of the ensign that was manning the transporter.

"Me too," Kirk said quickly. "Cherish you, that is. As you were," he said, nodding at the ensign, who was politely averting her eyes.

The captain and commander returned to their quarters where they spent a nice evening playing chess, eating a vegetarian meal, and making love before falling asleep as the stars whisked by.

The End

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A/N: What did you guys think? I just went to an Ash Wednesday service so I had to write a K/S fic about it!