Jim awoke to the feeling of a heavy arm over his side and a cold pair of feet tangled with his. It was heaven. The arm shifted and the feet pulled away, and Jim moaned in disappointment.
"Ashayam, I realize my feet are cold. They usually are. I apologize." Spock murmured into the pillow.
Jim snuggled back harder against his mate. "Eh. Doesn't really bother me. It was more of an observation than a complaint." Jim captured the missing appendages with his and rubbed them gently. "I'll be your personal furnace whenever you need it." Spock rolled off the bed fluidly and walked over to his pile of clothes. "Where ya goin?" Jim called.
"It is my turn for the bathroom, unless you propose we attempt to share." The last part was practically a dare coming from him. Jim growled playfully and Spock demurred quickly. "I would not ask that of you. I will be back shortly."
Jim got up and slipped on his boxers and jeans, and made the bed. While he was waiting, he read the titles of the books on the shelves. Most of them were in Vuhlkansu so he couldn't tell what they said, although some of them had the symbol for Spock's last name in them. Maybe Sarek was an author? Then Jim came to a stash of very old, very well preserved hardcover books in Standard.
Treasure Island. The Count of Monte Cristo. And what was this set? The Dark Tower, by Stephen King. Who was that? Those books seemed particularly worn, with breaks in the spine and the pages dog-eared.
Spock walked in and viewed his mate for a moment, following his line of vision. "Those were the books my father had stashed at the Vulcan Embassy on Earth. Some of them are dissertations from my father's days at the Vulcan Science Academy."
Spock came closer. "The last set, the one that seems to have caught your eye, is my mother's. Was my mother's. She was particularly fond of horror novels, and found the works of Stephen King quite by accident. I read the first novel of that series but did not find it compelling enough to finish."
The name finally clicked for Jim. "Stephen King! Wait, he's the one who wrote the book It! I saw that movie when I was a kid and it scared the shit out of me. I wouldn't go near a clown ever again. God, that's a classic!" Jim flopped back on the bed, messing up his earlier work. "I can't see you reading anything other than theoretical physics manuals. What do you like the best?"
Spock thought about it and then shook his head. "I will admit to having a fondness for unusual poetry. There are historical poems from early Vulcan, before Surak, that are quite moving."
"You've got to read one to me sometime," Jim declared, and Spock went still. "What?" Jim could feel great sadness over the bond.
"I left my books in my room on Vulcan when I went to Starfleet Academy. I meant to return for them when I was able. I never got the chance." Spock looked down, and Jim's heart ached for him. Finally he looked back up and gave a very small smile. "I will simply have to find new books to replace them."
"Attaboy." Jim went over and kissed Spock's cheek and called out "I'm headed for the bathroom" as he walked out the door.
Spock straightened the bed again and pulled out the book The Gunslinger. He flipped through the book and stared at the words, not really seeing anything. There was a noise behind him and he turned to find his father standing in the door.
"That was your mother's," Sarek began.
"I am aware," Spock replied.
"However, I think she would want you to have it if you so desired." Sarek walked over and pulled the books out and stacked them in his son's hands. "All of them. If nothing else, than for you to have a piece of her with you."
"And you, Father?" Spock posed. "What do you keep of her?"
Sarek's eyes grew soft and he swallowed. "My son, she gave me you. You are the best part of her and I will always thank her for you." Spock raised his hand in the ta'al; Sarek did the same. They pressed their palms against one another and held them there for a full minute.
Outside, Jim was watching surreptitiously. He walked quietly into the sitting room and brushed away a tear. He was going to wipe the floor with the next asshole who said Vulcans had no feelings.
Someone cleared his throat and Jim looked up suddenly to find his mate staring down at him, rather amused.
"Oops, I broadcast that last thought, didn't I?" Jim whispered.
"T'hy'la. We are going to have to work on your shielding if you are going to continue with these irreverent thoughts. I somehow doubt you wish me to know your every comment. Neither of us would remain sane that way."
"I would not be certain of that," Sarek commented as he carefully packed the books into Spock's duffel bag. "Amanda was often the calming force in my life. She allowed me to 'rant' to her through the bond and that in turn allowed me to appear peaceful to others."
"And with her?" Spock asked pointedly.
"With her, I gladly returned the favor. I was apparently beneficial to her psyche as well. She told me she learned to temper her comments vocally by censoring herself mentally. Especially when we had a child in the house." The last part was directed at Spock fondly.
"Mother still had a fierce disposition when displeased, Father. She repeated some of her arguments with you after I left for Starfleet Academy instead of the Vulcan Science Academy." Spock nodded. "She was as protective as a mother sehlat, no doubt."
Sarek looked at Spock for a long moment and then admitted quietly, "I had intended to repair the rift between us. But I was stubbornly waiting for you to make the first move." Sarek sat down and folded his hands in his lap. "Do you realize something like that happened to Solion?"
Jim sat on the floor, leaving the chair beside Sarek for his son. "What, having a fight?"
"It was more than an argument for him and his father," Sarek answered. "When Solion left for Starfleet Academy, his father ceased communicating with him entirely. They did not speak again for 18 years." Sarek glanced over at Spock. "I would hope we would not have repeated that mistake; however had we not been placed together on the Enterprise I cannot say what would have come to pass."
"What finally brought them back together?" Jim requested.
Sarek tilted his head. "His father happened to come aboard the Enterprise and his mother brought them back together." He looked back to the kitchen. "It seems that Amanda was the peacemaker in her family as well."
"I have asked Solion about his mother before, just to see if they were the same," admitted Spock.
"I asked him about my dad," Jim piped up. "My dad in the other universe," he clarified.
"And did the answers provide you with any lasting peace?" Sarek pointed out. Both boys were silent. "It is difficult for Solion to be in this universe, seeing his life played out before him. Regardless of the changes, it is similar enough that it is painful."
Sarek continued. "He is very cautious about what he reveals. Starfleet Command has asked for his expertise several times, and he refuses to become involved." Sarek looked at the two others. "What he has revealed to me has been carefully screened. I believe the anecdote about him and his father was given as a warning about my situation with Spock."
"I know he would not tell me who his bondmate was until Jim and I had already decided our course," Spock pointed out.
"The bonding ceremony must have been tough on him," Jim replied softly.
"Not entirely," Sarek answered firmly. "He did tell me he had many fond memories he was revisiting because of you two. If anything, your bonding seems to have 'lifted his spirits' so to speak."
"Well that's a relief," Jim sighed.
The comm. station went off and Sarek stood to answer it. After a short greeting he turned to his sons. "It is Starfleet, James. They wish to speak with you."
Jim got up and went to the station. "Hello?"
"Captain Kirk, your presence is needed aboard the Enterprise. We have dispatched a shuttle which should be arriving in an hour." The communications officer was apologetic.
"That's fine. Is this a general recall or do you just need me?" Jim asked.
"Unknown at this time, sir. Sealed orders from the Admiralty." She paused. "Do you wish to initiate a general recall?"
"No, I'll come check it out first. No point in ruining everyone's break until it's necessary. Thank you. Kirk out." Jim turned and faced his mate. "Well damn. Good thing we went ahead with the ceremony," he muttered.
"Do you wish me to come, Jim?" Spock stated calmly.
"Uh, hell yeah. I would appreciate the presence of my second-in-command if the Admiralty is going to be tossing orders around." Jim slapped Spock on the arm. "Come on, let's pack." They began packing their belongings and then Jim called Solion while Spock fixed a late lunch.
"Solion?" Jim began.
"Yes, Jim?" Solion actually did seem in a better mood.
"I am so sorry. I'm going to have to take a rain check on that chess game. They just called me back." Jim smiled weakly at the screen.
"That is acceptable. Will your mate be joining you?" Solion asked.
"Duh!" Jim exclaimed. "I'm not letting the powers that be dump a load of shit on me without his help," he complained.
"Jim!" Spock chastised from the kitchen.
Solion was fighting back a smile. "Very well. You will contact me about the second ceremony?"
"Of course," Jim promised. "And hey Solion?" Solion looked back at him. "Thanks. For everything." Jim smiled.
"It was my pleasure. Live long and prosper, Jim." They signed off and Jim decided to call his other top officer.
The comm. station rang four times before a tiny voice squeaked "Daddy go potty." There was a small scrabble and a furiously blushing McCoy answered the line.
"Sorry 'bout that, Jim. Uh, you okay?" McCoy was in a Christmas sweater and jeans, which he was zipping up. The clock on the wall chimed the half-hour. It was still mid-afternoon there.
"Yeah, Bones, I just wanted to give you a heads up. They've called me back to the ship for sealed orders. If I have to give a recall notice I wanted you to have plans for Joanna." Jim looked patiently at his best friend.
"Well crap," Bones muttered. "Thanks, kid. I owe ya. You know how to reach me if you need me. I'll come back if you want," he offered.
"No, no, you enjoy your time with your daughter. We'll deal with this and see if there's anything to squawk about." Jim reassured his friend.
"We?" questioned the older man with a knowing grin. "I'll bet dollars to donuts they didn't recall the XO too. He's going anyway?"
Jim glanced at his mate and then returned the smirk. "Have you ever seen one without the other?"
"Yeah yeah, you're a package deal now. Terrific. I'll see you whenever I get back, man." Bones gave a mock salute and disconnected.
Jim ate his lunch and checked the chronometer. They had half an hour to get to the visitor's center. They climbed in the aircar with their belongings; both sat in the back. Sarek drove them there quietly and helped unload their belongings. The shuttle had arrived ten minutes early (way to go Starfleet) and they carried their bags on. Jim jumped back off the ship and ran up to his new father-in-law.
"Father," Jim began, and then amended it. "Dad. Thank you so much. I promise we'll come back as often as we can. I really appreciate all you've done."
Sarek nodded. "Thanks are not necessary." Jim made a face and he continued "But they are appreciated. Please care for each other closely. You bring honor to your clan."
Spock walked up behind Jim and gave the ta'al. "Peace and long life, Father."
"Live long and prosper, sons." Sarek walked away and Spock and Jim boarded their flight back.
A/N: We're just going to take a little breather for the next little bit and get our feet under us. But don't get too comfy. Dun dun DUN!