Jim walked back out and went downstairs. Spock stood with Sam, and after a moment turned to him.
"Dr. Kirk, may I ask a personal query?"
"Shoot." Sam sat down at the computer again.
"Do you believe me to be inflexible in regards to human behaviors?" Spock looked at the door instead of making eye contact.
Sam scoffed. "I wouldn't say 'inflexible'. Maybe non-participatory, but not inflexible. Why, did Jimbo say something different?"
Spock shook his head. "No. He inferred I would be unhappy with my stepson living with us because they are human and I am not."
Sam locked his hands behind his head. "Spock, I've actually dealt with Vulcans before in my line of work and they're usually a lot less flexible about human quirks than you are. I think Jim forgets sometimes that while there's a cultural difference between the two of you, you're a lot more forgiving than he gives you credit for. Do you want me to have a chat with him, brother to brother?"
Spock looked down at his brother-in-law. "You may if you wish. You have answered my question." He nodded at Sam and walked back downstairs.
Winona was rounding the kids up for 'horse time' as she put it. All four of Winona's horses were gentle enough for kids, and patient enough for new riders. David got Thunder, because the two had ridden together enough. Justin got Broadsides, who was a dark colored horse with a soft spirit. Mark rode Mercury, who was Thunder's issue. Peter was placed with Buttercup, who was named after an old movie character Winona loved. The foursome trotted their horses out into the field. Aurelan watched protectively while Spock stood to one side, observing.
Jim came out, munching on an apple. "What's up?" he called to the crowd.
"Just having the kids take a ride. It was your son's idea." Winona called over her shoulder.
"Hey Dad, can we feed the horses apples?" David walked Thunder over to the fence. Thunder's attention was indeed held by the fruit in Jim's hand.
Jim moved his hand behind his back. "Ask your grandma. They're her horses."
"It's fine, honey. I'll send your dad back in for them." Winona looked at her son pointedly and he turned around and trudged back in to the house.
"Mom!" cried Peter suddenly, and the adults rushed the fence to see what had frightened him so. Peter's horse was urinating, but it had decided to squat slightly to do so.
Aurelan laughed in relief. "Hold on, mister, or you'll fall into horse pee!"
After a half hour Justin walked his horse over to the barn. "Can I get down, Grandmother?" Winona came and helped him dismount.
"Me too," Mark commented, following his brother's lead. They got off and investigated the barn. "Hey, can we go up here?" Mark called to his grandmother, pointing to the ladder.
"I don't think so," remarked Aurelan. "Your uncle had no business being up there, and you're not climbing up there now."
"Mother has spoken," Winona told the boys.
Jim came out with Sam, both holding two apples each. The kids wandered over to feed the treat to their horses.
Sam elbowed his brother. "Hey, can I talk to you?"
Jim shrugged. "I know that tone of voice. I'm gonna get lectured about something."
"Heed your big brother for a second and come here." Sam led them over to the side of the house, away from the others. "I need you to lay off your hubby."
"What about?" Jim asked, wounded.
Sam bit his lip. "Spock isn't human. Not fully, at least. He was raised as a Vulcan, and thinks of himself as a Vulcan. He's made enough concessions to be with you. I think it's time you made a couple of your own."
"Such as?"
"Such as stop acting like he disapproves of every action you and David take because you're human. He gives you two more leeway than you realize. He doesn't exactly join in the reindeer games, but he lets you do as you please. That's a huge freaking allowance coming from a Vulcan."
Jim turned his face back to the barnyard, and watched Spock talking to David. Spock's hands were behind his back but he was relaxed. He looked comfortable.
"And stop trying to protect him from the taint of human contact," Sam continued. "The man's been around crowds of humans most of his adult life. He knows how to take care of himself. He doesn't have to be kept in a bubble away from society."
"I take it you've discussed this with him?" Jim griped.
Sam put his hands behind his back. "Nope, this is just plain ol' scientific observation at work. Me and Spock, we're scientists. We observe the world for a living. Makes us just a little sharper about behaviors and patterns. Spock's just too smitten to point this stuff out to you. He'd cut out his own tongue before he'd criticize you."
Jim flushed and nodded. "I know. So let me ask my genius big brother for advice. Taking David on permanently. Yea or nay?"
Sam waved his hands in front of himself. "Nuh-uh. I'm not making that decision for you. That's for you and your spouse to decide."
Jim grunted. "Yeah, I know what decision I want to make. I just can't get a definite yes or no out of Spock."
Sam gestured to the barnyard. "Watch him sometime, Jim. Observe him. Let his behavior speak for itself." Then he smacked Jim on the shoulder and walked away.