Author's note: This chapter took a while because:

I apparently got the stomach flu…oh joy

After writing Presents, I got really homesick…

I burned my thumb and a finger at work…makes writing and typing harder. It was karma though…so I can't really complain

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it. I will probably be on hiatus this week due to my work schedule, but I'll do my best to get this thing finished.

Thank you to all that have reviewed here and on Deviantart. Lots of love!!

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Ch 10 Beaches and Thoughts

Spock woke up the next morning, the events of the previous day still filling his mind. It was illogical, but he had actually had what humans called "fun". Jim had shown him that he wasn't the egotistical, arrogant man that he tried to portray himself as. The library was a wonderful reminder of Spock's mother and something he would cherish forever.

Playing in the snow had been an interesting experience. Although the cold had proven almost unbearable for him, rolling around in the snow with Jim was priceless. He had been so close. The thought of kissing Jim had crossed his mind, but he had thought it wise to refrain from doing so. If Jim was not receptive, their entire relationship would be compromised, something that Spock could not accept.

"Spock!" Jim's voice traveled up the stairs.

Spock got up from the bed, quickly making sure he was decent. He walked down the staircase to find Jim waiting at the foot of the stairs. He was stunning in his dark pants and crisp, white sweater that clung to his form. Spock stopped, taking the sight in. Jim's warm smile made Spock's heart do flips.

"Good morning, Spock. I know yesterday was Christmas, but I have another present for you."

Spock fell into step behind Jim. They stopped at the door to the new library.

"Here's the thing. Mom doesn't really know about this and I'd kind of like to keep it that way for now. So keep it secret, okay?"

Spock nodded slightly, curious as to what the secret gift could be.

Jim pushed open the door and led Spock past the large bookshelves. At the last bookshelf on the wall, he turned, smiling mischievously. He pushed on the bookshelf. It easily swung inward revealing a furnished bedroom. The Kirk's cat lay on the foot of the bed contentedly. The room was done in neutral tones, reminding Spock of Vulcan decoration.

"Welcome to your room, Spock. Now you have no reason not to spend your visits here." Jim put an arm around his friend's shoulders. " I hope it's alright. I tried to make it as 'Vulcan-y' as I could." Spock walked around the room, Jim's arm still around his shoulders. "I made the temperature control different in here. I figure the library has a fireplace, so no biggy in there, but in here you'll have to use the temperature controls, especially if we come back during winter at some point."

Spock stood, words lost to the feeling inside of his stomach. "You did this…for me?"

"Yeah. I figure Mom loves you so much, you might as well have your own room here. Like I said though, she doesn't know yet."

Jim shifted slightly, removing his arm. He blushed fiercely and looked at Spock, flashing him a smile. "So? You like it?"

Spock walked around the room, admiring the amount of work Jim had put into it. A small photo frame on the bedside table caught his eye. His eyes grew wide and he hurried to pick it up. In the photo sat his mother, young, smiling, with a small toddler sitting on her lap. He looked up at Jim. "How did you get this?"

Jim rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, well, let's just say it's nice to have connections." Spock's gaze grew more intense. "I'm not telling you, so stop glaring at me."

With a little huff, Spock returned his eyes to the picture. It had been the only picture taken of his mother as he had known her. They had been on Earth for a council meeting and she had insisted on it. Sarek was absent. He always was, Spock thought. His father was a busy man.

"Thank you, Jim." Carefully, he returned the frame to the table.

"C'mon. Mom will be up soon. We'd better help her take down the tree and get our stuff together to return to Starfleet. I hate that we have to leave, but duty calls…gotta make sure everything is ready for re-launch in a few months."

Spock followed Jim out of the room, taking one look back at the picture. He would make sure to take it with him. A piece of home. He thought of the word and its meaning. This was home now and for some reason, he was content with that idea.

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Spock grabbed another delicate decoration off of the tree and handed it to Jim.

"Thank you boys. I don't know what I'd do without you. I can't imagine doing this by myself."

"Sure, Mom, no problem." Another decoration found it's way into Jim's waiting hand. He looked up at Spock, standing on a chair, using his deft fingers to pluck the decorations from the branches. As Spock handed him another decoration, he put his hand over the Vulcan's. The electric current was there. He knew he had felt it. Spock looked down at him, almost falling off the chair as he struggled to pull his hand away. Jim knew he shouldn't touch Spock's hands, but he couldn't help it. They were so slender, perfectly shaped.

Spock glared at him and now dangled the decorations in Jim's direction. Jim smiled. It had felt good to push Spock's buttons. He didn't know why and he certainly hoped he hadn't hurt the relationship they had built thus far, but he HAD to do it. It was like it was a natural thing.

Spock flushed and dangled another direction down. He knew Jim had done it on purpose. He could pick that much up with the touch. Could see Jim's mind for a split second. He went back to concentrating on the job at hand, absent-mindedly sweeping a hand through the hair that was falling in his view. The movement caused Jim to smile widely and Spock continued to glare.

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Starfleet Academy was calm when they arrived. It had been a heart-touching departure from the Iowa farmhouse. His mother had cried, hugging both of them quite a few times before they made their way back to the transport. The bus ride had been long and Jim found himself asleep on Spock's shoulder while Spock sat cross-legged, reading a book. Spock had not wakened him until they reached the Academy.

Bones, Scotty, Sulu, and Chekov stood waiting for them. They had all grown close while being on leave, enjoying their time together almost as much as Jim had enjoyed Spock's company.

"JIM!" Bones grabbed Jim, pulling him into a rough bear hug. Chekov beamed up at his captain.

"You guys look like you've faired well. How was the ex, Bones?"

Bones gave him a reproaching look. "I took care of what she wanted…she now owns the moon too." McCoy's eyes flitted over Spock. "How was pointy ears?"

"Let's just say he had more fun than he'll ever admit to."

"We were all thinking of heading to the beach. Great thing about California, Jim. Water's still a little cooler than I'd like, but it's gorgeous."

Jim looked back at Spock who was now chatting with Scotty about some of the repairs of the Enterprise. "Yeah, sure. I'm sure everyone would love to go out there." He wasn't convinced Spock would like a beach, especially with cold water, but he figured Spock would go, whether the Vulcan really wanted to or not.

"Great, see you guys in a little bit." With that, Bones set off across the lot, turning back around to eye his captain and first officer as the others fell into step next to him. Jim and Spock stood watching them leave. Bones couldn't put his finger on it, but something between the two men was definitely different.

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Jim splashed around in the water. It was cool, but still pleasant. Across the beach he could make out the shapes of his bridge crew. The only member missing was Uhura, who had found herself invited by some of the girls to go to a party. As far as Jim was concerned, that's where she should be.

Spock sat on the shore with a book in his lap. He'd been adamant about not getting in the water. When questioned, he merely said Vulcans did not exactly enjoy water. They had left him to his reading, running off to enjoy the beach while they could.

Bones splashed Jim, bringing him back from his thoughts. "Hey, Jim. We need to get him in the water."

"I don't know, Bones. He seems to really not like it…except for when he showers, I've never known Spock to touch water. I bet it's 'illogical'." Jim gazed over at the young man on the shore. He was completely focused on his book.

"We could take him by surprise." Bones eyes lit up, egging Jim on.

"Well…okay." Jim pushed himself through the water to the shoreline. He walked over to Spock, looking down at him, blocking the evening sunlight, casting a shadow over the book. Spock looked up at him expectantly. Quickly, before Spock could react, Jim grabbed both of Spock's wrists in his hands and swiftly drug him to the waters edge, throwing him into the water. Spock sat up in the water, clearly shocked.

Bones' laughter rang through the air. Jim stood next to Spock in the water, a grin splitting his face. "Sorry, Spock. It had to be done."

Shivering, Spock looked at Jim, his eyes betraying his irritation. Jim's smile faded away under the glare. Quickly, Spock's hand shot out, grabbing Jim and dunking him under the water. Bones laughed even harder as Jim surfaced, spitting and sputtering. Spock's eyes glittered triumphantly. Jim couldn't help but laugh. Spock was being a good sport about it for not liking water.

Bones watched as the two splashed each other. "Doesn't like water, my ass…" he muttered as he got out of the water. Or maybe, he thought, something was worth getting wet…or someone. Bones stopped. Wide-eyed, he turned to look at his friends again.

"Wha's wrong?" Scotty stood beside him, vigorously drying himself off.

"Nothing…nothing." Bones continued to watch Jim and Spock as they walked out of the water. They began their walk back to Starfleet's barracks in the evening sun. Bones and Scotty fell in step about 30 feet behind Spock and Jim. Sulu and Chekov brought up the rear, Chekov enthusiastically screaming every time he found a seashell.

Scotty made idle conversation as they walked. McCoy didn't mind his company. He'd actually found Scotty highly intelligent and a great drinking companion to top it off. In front of them, he could see his best friend walking closely next to the Vulcan. He watched as Jim whispered in Spock's ear, grinning, then giving the Vulcan's arm a gentle shove. Spock stayed poised, arms behind his back as he strode across the sand. The look he threw Jim, however, was nothing like the Spock he had remembered. Bones shook his head.

"Great…"

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"You don't see it, do you, Jim?"

"See what?" Jim continued his alcoholic indulgence and stared at Bones.

"Dammit, Jim!" Bones' hands flew up in exasperation. "You didn't listen to a word I said."

They sat in the kitchen of the barracks at Starfleet. There were four beds to the apartment-like setup as well as a kitchen and bathroom filled with the necessities.

"I was listening. Besides, even if I wasn't, you'll forgive me."

Bones stared at him. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, because I'm your friend and you can't resist my charm." Jim smiled at his friend. Dazzling blue eyes danced.

"Whatever…Dammit, Jim, listen this time."

Jim's smiled dimmed. "Alright, Bones. What is it?"

"I said, 'Spock is acting strange. He's almost…human in the way he's been reacting to what you say and do." Bones wrinkled his nose in disgust. "What's that smell?"

"Spock's cooking us something they ate on Vulcan. I asked him to while we were down at the beach. He's a pretty good cook. While we were home, he made me breakfast a couple of times."

Bones had a shocked look on his face. "Okay…please tell me it wasn't breakfast in bed."

Jim glared at him under knitted eyebrows. "Why?"

"Jim, Spock likes you, and I'm not talking friends. Have you seen the way he looks at you? Have you seen what you can get away with? If I had been the one to throw him in the water, he would have at least broken my nose and you know it."

Jim put down his empty cup. He allowed his eyes to trace the patterns in the wood table before meeting Bones' eyes. "Yeah, I know. Look, I've been…conflicted. I don't know why, but I feel about the same affection for him…it's just…what if he doesn't feel that way and I do something stupid and then our crew just crumbles? Starfleet is already watching us like a hawk."

Bones gagged and looked at his friend in utter disgust. "YOU FEEL THE SAME-" Bones shook his head. "I think I should skip dinner."

Jim gave him a reproachful look. "You know I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. Look, you are my best friend. I need you to at least be there for me."

McCoy let out a sigh. "Fine. I'd rather see you happy with HIM than alone. I don't know what you see in him, but I can see he sees something in you." He continued making faces, more to irritate Jim than out of any actual disgust.

"So you think I should go for it?"

Eyes twitched. Bones looked sick as he sat shaking his head. "Yeah. Just don't tell me about any of your little exploits. Hearing about you with girls is bad enough."

Jim slapped Bones' shoulder as he strode into the kitchen where Spock was cooking. The Vulcan looked almost serene, hands moving deftly back and forth to the different utensils, adding ingredients and spices here and there. Jim knew the spices were for his taste more than Spock's, and grinned at the idea. As Spock held a spoon so it would not drip on the floor, Jim saw his queue.

He clasped both of his hands over the one holding the spoon. Spock let out an audible gasp. He blushed furiously, looking into Jim's with chocolate eyes.

"Jim? What are you doing?" he hissed.

"Oh come on, Spock. They can't see us from this angle."

"It is still highly inappropriate, Jim, considering-"

With all the force he could muster, Jim began thinking of every hidden smile Spock had thrown his way, the lust he felt for the Vulcan, the way he wanted him. He smiled as Spock's eyes widened. Message received. Good.

Spock looked down from the crisp blue gaze. He blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of all of the thoughts he had received from Jim. With his hands still clasped around Spock's, Jim shoved the spoon in his mouth, seductively licking at it. He allowed Spock to pull away from his grip.

"Num."

He walked out of the kitchen. Spock stood, hands at his side, hand still clutching the spoon. He kept his eyes on Jim as he watched the young man walk back out to sit with Bones and Scotty at the table.

Bones glared over his fourth glass. "You know we could see that."

Jim beamed. "Yeah, I know." Scotty looked between the two of them, wide-eyed.

"And you also know Vulcans are telepathic through their hands?"

"Oh, I know that too." Jim stood, grabbing a new beer from the table. He slapped Bones on the back and wiggled his eyebrows. "You wanna know what I was thinking?"

Bones downed his alcohol, looking at Scotty incredulously. "See what I have to deal with here?"

Jim walked out of the barracks, heart racing. Now all he had to do was wait. And that is the worst part.