Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter.
I'm sorry this took longer than I intended to originally. Lots of family stuff going on. On November 25, my uncle died. It was a long fight with cancer and more importantly various complications. At least he's no longer suffering. On December 1, I lost my brother-in-law to his fight with cancer. I spent the first half of December helping my sister take care of things. I wrote this chapter weeks ago, but it took me forever to proofread it after I received it from my beta. Too much going on.
I did receive one anonymous review last time that was upset about how I described Spock and Nyota's previous relationship as a close friendship with make out privileges. Spock and Nyota do love each other very much, but in this universe, Spock is about a Kinsey five and he really didn't figure that out until his physical relationship with Nyota happened.
Yes, it's possible for someone to love more than one person, but it's not always the same type of love. In this universe these two people will die for each other, but they're just not romantically compatible. I went this route to avoid the post breakup bitterness and my least favorite Star Trek K/S fanfiction trope, Nyota the evil bitch.
From: KirkKR
To: Spock_Grayson
Time sent: 7/14/2259 00:04:21
Subject: I like you more than my idiot brother right now.
Your husband is an idiot. Do you have any idea what he did? That asshole forwarded a really private email where I pretty much confessed that I was in love with Liz.
Seriously, he had no right to forward that email to Liz. That was supposed to be a private thing between us which completely explains why our relationship is as screwed up as it is. I'm sending you this email now to warn you that you probably should keep Jim away from me. There's a 50-50 chance I will punch him out as soon as the shuttle landed. The only reason why I may not is that Liz is sitting next to me on this shuttle ride with her head on my shoulder and we're sharing a room.
Not like that. We're sharing a bed, but it's a sleep over. At least I don't think it will be like that. Things are still complicated and Winona makes it more complicated, but we're talking which is good. I don't know what to do without her. I'm kind of lost.
XXXXXX
From: Jim_Spock-Kirk
To: Spock_Grayson
Time sent: 7/14/2259 01:01:34
Subject: How did you become friends with my brother?
I can't believe Kevin was so friendly with you when he was 30 seconds from biting my head off the entire dinner. Seriously, what happened in the last week to make him go from barely showing up to our wedding to him actually hugging you and you let him! You got into the chocolate biscotti right? Emailing him several of my best private emails could not have helped that much?
I didn't want to tell you this while we were sort of getting along, but Simmons sort of slapped me when you and Kevin were putting the luggage in the trunk. And then she hugged me. It was all very confusing. So that's why I told you I had a little incident with the visor in the car.
So maybe I shouldn't have sent her Kevin's declaration of love, but it wasn't like he was going to say anything anytime soon. Kevin has issues. I don't even think he was intending for me to see it anytime soon. But you know when I get restless, I start hacking. I don't regret it. She's here and really we can use all the help we can get dealing with the Winona situation.
XXXXXX
From: Spock_Grayson
To: Jim_Spock-Kirk
Time sent: 7/14/2259 06:01:34
Subject: Re: How did you become friends with my brother?
Next time you want to help someone via committing a felony, please consult me first. I would make you sleep on the couch of the suite, but that would just punish me. I find it very difficult to sleep without you by my side. However, do not even think of following me into the shower this morning. Actually, do not consider doing anything sexually related with me until you apologize to your brother for your invasion of his privacy.
XXXXX
From: Jim_Spock-Kirk
To: Spock_Grayson
Time sent: 7/14/2259 06:45:34
Subject: Re: How did you become friends with my brother?
Turning down a good morning shower blowjob is punishing yourself. I was going to swallow and everything because I can.
It was a good plan. She's here. It worked. Okay, I might have to pick up some concealer for the bruising, but again she's here. Okay, maybe we should invite Liz and Kevin over for breakfast at Luisa's kitchen next-door to the rehab center before we deal with Winona and pop for the lobster omelet. Their lobster omelet is ridiculous, but delicious.
PS: I did delete all mentions of the P word in his original email. There would've been no saving me from the couch, if I did something that stupid.
XXXXXXX
From: Spock_Grayson
To: KirkKR
Time sent: 7/14/2259 7:29:21
Subject: I apologize on behalf of my husband
I assume by the tone of your letter and the timestamp that you sent your email midair, but it was not actually sent until the next time you open your PADD. Starfleet PADD's do not work on commercial shuttles for some reason.
I apologize for James' inappropriate behavior. In his defense, James was merely trying to help. Unfortunately, he has questionable social skills and therefore tries to help in ways that may be morally questionable or slightly illegal. He does care, otherwise he would not have intervened at all.
You both also need as much support as possible from whatever source is available including each other. He really does want to make it up to you.
Would you like to join us for breakfast this morning at Luisa's Kitchen before we visit with your mother? We would be paying. Which means that you can order whatever you prefer. James suggests their lobster omelet. I will be getting chocolate chip pancakes because I need chocolate libations to deal with both of you right now.
Xxxxxxx
XXXXXXX
From: KirkKR
To: Spock_Grayson
Time sent: 7/13/2259 7:49:21
Subject: Re: I apologize on behalf of my husband
It's never a good sign when you start drinking before noon. Chocolate chip pancakes must be the Vulcan version of a mimosa.
We are coming, but only because we are going to the place with the awesome blueberry French toast that I'm going to eat with my super expensive lobster omelet.
XXXXXXxx
From: UhuraNX
To: Spock_Grayson
Time sent: 7/14/2259 10:12:45
Subject: How's Everything in Iowa
How is the honeymoon going or rather how did the honeymoon portion of the trip go? According to Jim's most recent string of emails, you're already in Iowa. I would email him again, but he sounded a little strange in the last email. Is everything okay with Winona? Sometimes, Jim worries me.
I'm sitting here waiting at a McDonald's for Leonard's ex-wife to show up with Jo Jo. I'm sure Jim told you that Shawn managed to force visitation and we are taking Jo Jo to Disneyland of Georgia or we are attempting to. She's already 10 minutes late and I'm worried that the evil one is not going to show up at all. I hope this is just traffic and not her being her usual bitch self and trying to prevent Leonard from spending the entire day with his daughter, per judicial edict.
I think her overpriced flashy car just pulled into the parking lot. Thank God. I'll send pictures later.
XXXXXX
Nyota presses the send button when she is certain that the flashy vintage Mercedes belongs to Leonard's ex-wife. She vaguely remembered the flashy vehicle from the mediation earlier that week. The ex definitely likes to make a show of all the things she stole from Leonard, including their daughter. She swears the woman treats the young girl as more of a commodity then a person.
"She's only 15 minutes late." She says looking at her PADD again trying to keep the anger out of her voice.
"I guess she only wanted to screw with my head a little." Leonard took a long drink of coffee before leaving their vehicle to meet Jo Jo. She stays behind partially because she wants father and daughter to have a moment alone together before being forced to deal with future perceived as evil stepmom-she means perceived as evil girlfriend, not stepmom. There is also a 90% chance that she would knock out the former Mrs. McCoy if she saw her right now.
Especially because she just knows that the evil ex is whispering something really bad in Leonard's ears right now. She has no idea what the evil one said, but it couldn't be anything good because of the dark expression on Leonard's face. In that case, it was definitely best that she stay inside the car until the ex pulled away.
"Jo Jo, I would like you to meet a friend of mine." Leonard opened the door to the car. "This is Nyota. She's the one who picked up the doll and chemistry set I sent you for Christmas."
"I like the doll, but mom got rid of the chemistry set. She says a future lawyer doesn't need to concern themselves with science." Nyota frowned deeply at that. "Mom said that you had giant red horns, but you seemed humanoid enough to me."
"That's because I am." 'And your moms a bitch who's probably filling your head with ridiculous lies because she's just that callous.' Nyota thought bitterly, but kept those thoughts to herself. She refuses to sink down to that level of bad mouthing.
"I don't think your mom is right about that. I'm sure environmental lawyers have to know a lot about science. Also, I think your daddy went to med school with somebody who was also a lawyer."
"Jerri Cruz. Smart woman. Now she has her own firm that specializes in medical malpractice. I would never want to go against her."
"There really are different types of lawyers?" JoJo asked with a voice that sounded happy and sad all at the same time.
"Yes. You can ask Mister Shawn about it later if you really want to be a lawyer when you grow up." Leonard smiled at his little girl sadly.
"Mom says I have to be." And then Leonard frowned deeply.
"It's not up to her. When you're 18, you can do whatever you want."
"That's not what mom says." 'Your mom is a controlling bitch.'
"It's not her life, is it?" Leonard said annoyed. "I love you the same even if you decide to stow away on the ship to explore the galaxy as an intergalactic hitchhiker."
"I'm pretty sure my parents never wanted me to join Starfleet, but here I am." Nyota added thoughtfully.
"Do you like it?"
"Sometimes." 'When crazy coworkers are not screwing with my birth-control in effort to prove that I am the ship slut.
"Can I have breakfast now?" Leonard frowned at that question.
"Your mother told me she would feed you breakfast before dropping you off. I would have chosen someplace nicer for the handoff if I knew we still needed to eat."
"Yogurt is not breakfast. Can I have pancakes?" She was actually giving Leonard her puppy dog eyes.
"According to your mother's long list of dietary rules, you're not allowed to have pancakes or anything with gluten. Yet hash browns are allowed which are worse." Leonard groused.
"She doesn't have to know. Please?" Jo Jo pleaded.
"She would probably do blood work." Leonard mumbled under breath.
"There is a gluten free Egg McMuffin and pancakes on the menu."
"Seriously?"
"That's been an option for the last hundred years. Go with the McMuffin. It's easier to eat in the car. We have to be on the road soon if we want to get to Disneyland of Georgia in the next hour." Nyota passes the almost preteen a credit chip. The young girl quickly bounced off to the line practically running.
"Get me one too." Leonard yell, but she doubted Jo Jo heard him before she was already in the restaurant.
"So what did the ex said to you." Nyota said as she got out of the car to catch up to the 10-year-old.
"Why do you think she said something?" Leonard asked, puzzled.
"Because I saw your face. You were very upset."
"I'll tell you later.
"We can see her just fine from here." She said pointing Jo Jo standing impatiently in line." Leonard just sighed.
"The evil one told me to enjoy the day because she was going to make sure I will never see Jo Jo again." Leonard's voice is shaking announcing that some part of him must believe that.
"Don't believe anything she says." Nyota puts an arm around Leonard. "She's just trying to get inside your head. Don't let her mess of you. Unlike your last lawyer she can't wrap her hands around Shawn to make this go away."
"Because I'm more Shawn's type than her." Leonard snorted.
"True. Shawn is good at what he does and will help take care of it."
"Maybe. But the truth of the matter is as long as she's alive, she's always going to be trying to make me miserable. It is what she does."
"It would be so much easier if she went into cardiac arrest on the way home." Nyota joked.
"I think there's a better chance of her waking up one morning and suddenly deciding to start adopting baby puppies and kittens." Leonard said angrily.
"Instead of kicking them like she does now." Nyota mumbled under breath. "Why does she hate you so much?" She doesn't get it. Nyota assumes that at some point, they must of loved each other. But how did it go from that point to where it is now?
"Apparently, I made the horrible mistake of sleeping with her that week she took the defective birth control. I don't think she ever loved me like I loved her. But the difference in our regard for one another became more obvious after having Jo Jo. I'm sure some of it was postpartum, but she would never see a doctor about it. Honestly, that's where most of our worst fights came from." Which explains why Leonard was pushing so hard for her to seek help after the miscarriage.
"Instead she just started blaming me and Jo Jo for everything going wrong in her life. We are the reason why she missed out on her first choice law school. That didn't have anything whatsoever to do with the fact that her grades weren't good enough to get her in that school even with daddy dearest paying off half the admissions board."
"Some people just can't take responsibility for their own actions."
"And she's just one of those people. I'm sure the postpartum made it worse, but it wasn't like she wanted to get help. Things got even worse because daddy dearest wouldn't dream of having his first grandchild born out of wedlock. This meant a Georgia style shotgun wedding. I'm sure a lot of the resentment comes from that alone."
"Seriously? That's why she's been so nasty towards you?" Nyota asked incredulously and Leonard nodded his head in agreement.
"I've never said that she was rational." Leonard sighed.
"She's definitely not rational. Things are different now. You don't have to have a baby if you don't want to. If she didn't want to terminate the pregnancy, she could've just put Jo Jo in stasis and allowed you to get a gestational carrier to bring her to term."
"That would mean conceding custody and she hates giving up control."
"I'm starting to see that." Nyota said as she opened the door to the restaurant to catch up with Jo Jo. Of course the 10-year-old did not get the gluten-free McMuffin, but the pancakes. Nyota really hopes no blood test happen. Okay she seriously wishes for she who will not be named to go into a case of cardiac arrest, even though she knows such thoughts are extremely inappropriate.
XXXX
From: Spock_Grayson
To: UhuraNX
Time sent: 7/14/2259 11:12: 45
Subject: Re: How's everything in Iowa
The journey here was much more enjoyable than the destination itself. I know James told you about our camping trip and has promised to never do something like that again. The only bit of unpleasantness was the barbecue establishment that we went to that had no item on the menu without meat. Even the cornbread had bacon and you know I enjoy cornbread. James ended up getting me a burrito from the taco place next door.
Presently, James is adequately considering the circumstances and the fact that contact with his mother always makes him uncomfortable. However, the presence of Kevin is adding to his uneasiness, but that is his own fault.
James decided it would be advantageous to forward a very private email that his brother sent to him to Cadet Simmons in an effort to enlighten her about his feelings for her. I am thankful that the incident did not backfire and resulted in Cadet Simmons being here and Kevin having a very large hematoma on his neck.
Despite this, Kevin is still displeased with his brother. The only adjective I can use to describe the situation is tense and we still need to discuss what we actually need to discuss such as why Winona was hospitalized in the first place and what will happen once she is released.
James' death is a taboo subject of conversation. I understand why such discussions are avoided. I do not want to talk about James nearly dying. However, if Winona is ever to truly get better, a discussion of what happened is completely necessary. Winona Kirk drunk herself to a state of unconsciousness because she thought her son died the same way that his father did nearly 26 years earlier. That needs to be discussed, yet nobody wants to talk about it.
There was an attempt this morning to discuss what will happen to Winona when she leaves the rehabilitation center. Said attempt involved a food fight. James and Kevin are now banned from Luisa's kitchen.
How is Leonard's daughter enjoying her time with you? Is the situation really that complicated with Leonard's first wife? I do not understand why anyone would hate you. You are one of the most kind and gracious humans I have ever come in contact with.
Xxxxxx
From: UhuraNX
To: Spock_Grayson
Time sent: 7/14/2259 16:12: 45
Subject: Re: How's everything in Iowa
I love you too, but you really don't need to suck up like that.
Yes, the situation with she who will not be named is really that bad and extremely sad. She showed up late for the handoff and then immediately started playing head games with Leonard.
She gave us a ridiculous list of foods that Jo Jo is not allowed to eat and I had to spend half of the afternoon correcting various misconceptions about myself because she talked about both me and Leonard like dogs in front of an impressionable 10-year-old.
Apparently, Jo Jo thought I was a fire breathing devil woman and I mean that in the literal sense. I think Jo Jo is upset about the lack of red horns and pitchfork tongue. The evil one will be so sad that her child did not turn out to be a human supremacist and thinks that having an alien for a stepmother is cool. Also I had to provide a 10-year-old with a contexts appropriate definition to the word slut a.k.a. a derogatory term used to describe a highly accomplished female who is comfortable with herself in an effort to make her feel uncomfortable. Thank God I'm a language expert.
Even worse, she has Jo Jo convinced that if she doesn't go to law school she's going to lose her mom's love. Seriously, what type of person puts that much pressure on a 10-year-old?
Unlike she who will not be named, I did not say anything nasty about her to Jo Jo. Even though I find her despicable, she's still Jo Jo's mother and therefore I need to be respectful of her, even if I want to ring her neck which is why I'm going to outline most of my baser thoughts about the woman in this email.
I have a lot of angry words for her. Mostly I just want to keep referring to her as the bitch over and over again. She sent both Leonard and I a combined 35 different angry text messages demanding that we bring her daughter back home early. It's gotten so bad that I've stopped accepting text messages from anybody. My email account also has several similar messages.
I already forwarded them to Shawn who will send them straight to the judge. Does she really think she's going to win brownie points with the judge by harassing us? I think the only thing she's going to get is a psych evaluation and a 72 hour hold.
How the fuck did someone like her end up with somebody as sweet as Jo Jo? It's truly unfair. She's such a sweetie pie. I have like half a dozen pictures of her with Captain Marvel attached. They're currently touring the Avenger Tower while I write this email and all the nasty ones from she who will not be named so Jo Jo doesn't see any of it if she accidentally grabs my PADD.
Really, are you surprised at all that those two idiots managed to get banned from a restaurant? There are just some people who can't verbalize what they're feeling and unfortunately, your husband and his brother qualify. How much property damage did they do?
It does not surprise me at all that Jim sent Kevin's private emails to somebody else. He's still doing that to my private emails. Can you please get your husband to stop forwarding my emails automatically? There's some things that just need to stay in the draft folder.
XXXXXXXX
From: Spock_Grayson
To: UhuraNX
Time sent: 7/14/2259 17:31: 45
Subject: Re: How's everything in Iowa
Several thousand credits with an additional contribution to keep the restaurant owner from pressing charges. Due to the current investigation by Starfleet officials, it would be best that James not get arrested.
Lunch went better, after James apologized for violating Kevin's expectation of privacy, mostly due to the fact I threatened to withhold sex until he did. Apparently, that is an excellent motivator for James to sit down and actually discuss things with his brother in a rational matter.
They were able to make a few decisions such as selling the Iowa farmhouse. Apparently, even Winona does not want to live there any longer. She's also open to the possibility of living closer to Kevin. Although not in San Francisco proper because she really does despise Starfleet. However, still no discussions about why she dislikes Starfleet or James' temporary death. They did discuss what happened to Admiral Pike, which I consider a vast improvement.
I am sorry things with Leonard's former wife are so complicated. I guess not everybody can stay close to a former lover after the relationship has run its course. I am glad you and I do not have that type of relationship.
Xxxxxxxx
'Because we love each other and would die for the other one. We just don't want to sleep with one another.' Nyota thought to herself as she locked her PADD.
"I don't have any emails or text messages from her. Actually, the only email I have is from Spock letting me know that Jim and his brother have yet to kill each other, but it's probably a near thing." She told Leonard with a small smile.
"That usually happens with brothers." Leonard sighed.
"I wouldn't know since I'm an only child. It probably doesn't help at all that Jim likes to hack email accounts and forward the information to other people."
"Isn't it slightly hypocritical for you to say anything about that considering you used your privileges as Chief Communications Officer to forward his emails to Spock?"
"I was doing it for Jim's own good. He could've been suicidal." She said defensively and really, that's what she thought at the time. Considering the look Leonard was giving her, he did not entirely believe that.
"You know that Marc wasn't your fault right?" He grabbed her hand.
"Most days I realize that, sometimes I don't." Like the day in the warp core.
"That's all I can ask for." Leonard checked his watch one more time.
"This is so like her. She demands that we leave the park two hours early and then she doesn't show up. She just loves messing with me." Leonard sighed angrily.
"Although considering there's a 10-year-old passed out in the back of the car. We probably would've left when we did anyway. The Star Wars experience was exhausting." They only managed to get through half the park before they had to leave, but that was enough to make anyone exhausted. Next time they do this, she hopes they can spend a couple of days there.
"True, but I didn't need to deal with a dozen nasty text messages and threats about contacting the judge." Leonard sounded worried.
"They were empty threats and you know it. Her text messages make her look slightly unhinged."
"Possibly. But I'm still worried."
"Maybe she got lost in traffic." Nyota suggested, trying to be helpful. Leonard just stares at her for a moment. "Okay, more likely she text messaged the wrong location on purpose." 'Just so she can tell the judge that we didn't comply with her.' However, Nyota held her tongue. It may look like Leonard's daughter is sleeping, but you can never tell. She could totally be faking just so she can listen.
"I'm going to call Shawn." Nyota said just as something inside of Jo Jo's purse started to ring.
"Maybe she's calling Jo Jo to check up? You should answer her communicator." Nyota suggested. Leonard just nodded his head before rummaging through the bag to find the communicator.
"Thank God she's actually with you." She heard an unknown woman say as soon as Leonard pressed the talk button. "I thought she would be, but when the cops said that…"
"Lena, why are you babbling? What the hell is going on?"
"Who is Lena?" Nyota mumbled under breath, confused.
"Jo Jo's aunt."
"And the only one in the family who took Leonard's side in the divorce. Personally, I'm surprised little sister left me as her medical power of attorney. That doesn't matter right now. You need to get to UGMC right now." There is a certain amount of panic in the woman's voice that was concerning, especially in light of the fact that she just asked them to meet her at the hospital.
"What's going on?" Apparently, Leonard was equally concerned. "I was supposed to meet your sister here half an hour ago and she's not here yet. The woman hates tardiness with a passion"
"Due to her own stupidity, she's not going to make it. I mean that literally."
"Is this why you want us to meet you at the hospital."
"Yes."
"Did she wrap her car around a tree?"
"The details are not important. Just get here."
"I'm going to take that as a yes. I've been a doctor long enough to piece things together."
"Yes, there was a car accident and its… Just get here." With that, the communicator went dead and Nyota was already starting the car for their quick trek to a hospital on the other side of town.
To be continued
If you haven't seen it already the new Star Trek trailer drop today.
I'm so excited because I'm going to have a brand-new playground of characters to work with for brand-new stories. This is in addition to the obligatory K/S or K/S/U reimagining that I will do. Despite how chaotic things are my life right now, I do promise to have this story done before then. Actually, I think were only two or three chapters away. I just need to find time to write those chapters.