"Some little birdy told me you're a hell of a cook."
The officers gathered in the dining room to share their evening meal. Individuals entered, pressed buttons on the wall to receive their meals, and occasionally popped up for drink refills.
"Pardon me, Captain, but birds are not capable of speech as we know it. The corvid family, however, is particularly intelligent and quite capable of communication amongst themselves."
Kirk sighed, "God you sound like Spock. I mean-"
"I'm familiar with the expression, I was merely jesting." Vivian raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Yes, I do cook. Within my Earth community, I am known for making a particularly indulgent pecan pie."
"Lordy lord, PLEASE tell me you're makin' one for the Christmas party." McCoy cut in, before washing down the food in his mouth.
"We have a GREAT Christmas party every year-" Kirk started.
"Whole ship goes mad I tell ye."
Spock fought down a smirk, "Mr. Scott, given the quantity of alcohol you insist on imbibing at such events, I am surprised to hear you remember them."
"I am pleased to know you celebrate so...thoroughly...The research station had a party, but it was meager at best. I typically scheduled my leave so that I could be in Texas for Christmas with my family." She hesitated for a minute, her face expressionless, before moving on. "Mr. Scott, are there any Scottish traditions you bring aboard?"
Nobody seemed to notice her hesitation, except for Spock. He watched the cogs that always span about in her head lodge in themselves for a moment. Within her, he sensed a feeling he'd only experienced after the destruction of Vulcan: homesickness.
"Captain," The following day, Spock cornered Kirk in the hallway, "I noticed that we are scheduled for routine maintenance on Spacedock Earth in the earliest month of the Terran calendar."
"Right. Thanks for keeping up with the logs." Kirk pat his shoulder and began to move away.
"I also noticed there is a gap in their scheduling for the last week of the last month of the Terran year. Yet, they typically maintain a tightly packed schedule."
"Weird, but whatever."
"Additionally, there would be no negative impacts were we to move up our maintenance appointment."
"Good to know-"
"Jim."
Kirk stopped in his tracks. Spock only called him that when he was interacting on a more personal level.
"I would like to reschedule our maintenance for their open timeframe in the last month of the Terran calendar."
"Why?"
"The crew would have shore leave while the ship is repaired...We would be docked from approximately the 21st to the 28th-"
"Christmas?" Kirk smiled, "Then we could go home for Christmas. Not bad Commander. Alright, fine, do it."
Spock nodded, "Thank you."
A thought crossed Kirk's mind that caused him to cross his arms and smirk, "Hey Spock."
"Yes Captain?"
"What's with the uh...sudden interest in Christmas? Just dying to come home to Iowa with me again?"
"The Terran holiday season is interesting from an anthropological perspective-"
"Mhmm, interesting like you're trying to score bonus points with V?"
"I was unaware she was keeping a point system-"
"Oh gross, cheesy, this is like one of those low-budget, holiday, chick flick romance bullshit. You're gonna rig it so the girl gets home for Christmas and then gets all warm and fuzzy and comes back to screw your brains out. You DOG." Kirk laughed and shook his head.
"I have never experienced a loss of brain tissue due to intercourse. Additionally, intercourse- while pleasant- is not my present goal. When we spoke of the holidays at dinner a few nights ago, I recognized that she was experiencing homesickness." He trailed off, his eyes tracing the white panels of the hall. "Remedying that for her-"
Kirk's eyes got big, "Holy shit. You like her!"
"Pardon? Of course, I enjoy her company. We are intellectual equals with many shared interests-"
"No no, I mean LIKE her. Like LOVE her. You're ACTUALLY trying to divert an ENTIRE Starship, potentially argue with the fleet, JUST to make her happy without expecting anything in return." They held eyes for a minute. "Oh man, you've got it bad. Well...shit! I'm happy for you! I...I mean I know you guys were gonna get married Vulcan style and all that but that was more agreement less lovey-dovey- are you guys actually getting like HUMAN married too? You both-"
Spock struggled to keep himself from flushing, "Captain, to adopt an expression of Dr. McCoy's: I believe you are putting the cart before the proverbial horse."
His suggestion, however, wasn't too far from reality. Following his stay in her suite, Spock and Vivian made it a point to see each other a few times a week beyond what was required of them for work or at group meals. They would discuss research over evening tea or take night-time strolls around the outer decks. She typically greeted him with an embrace, provided there were no witnesses.
It wasn't long before the Captain made the formal announcement that the Enterprise would be docked at Spacedock Earth in time for Christmas. Terran crewmembers celebrated at the idea of visiting family. Alien crewmembers celebrated the general idea of shore leave, and, some, still intended on throwing a ship-wide Christmas party.
"The Captain's announcement today came as a welcome surprise." Vivian broached the subject as she walked alongside Spock.
"Am I correct to assume you will be returning to Texas on shore leave?"
"You are," Her mouth angled upwards, "Am I correct to assume you are involved in the maintenance scheduling process?"
"You are."
"It is coincidental that our maintenance was rescheduled so soon following our discussion of the holiday season."
He nodded.
"I am grateful for that coincidence." After a moment's hesitation, she spoke up again, "Spock..." This time, she caught his arm, stopping both of their motion. "Come with me."
"Where?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Texas...We've been discussing ways to compensate for the lack of my Vulcan family as it pertains to our arrangement-"
"The obvious solution is the incorporation of your human family-"
"Precisely- so you should meet them...Would you be interested in spending Christmas with myself and my family?"
His mouth ticked upwards, "That would prove most interesting."
"I should...warn you however-my family is...loud and excitable. While some are intellectuals, they enjoy firearms, grilling meat outdoors, and other such activities. Some of them will switch to speaking Spanish when attempting to exclude an outsider from conversation."
"I will consider it an anthropological study." They walked in silence for a few minutes, "Perhaps Uhura can teach me introductory Spanish."
"You would learn an additional language?"
"If it aids in conversing with your family, yes...Additionally, you will undoubtedly want to teach offspring all of the languages at your disposal. It would be helpful if I could contribute."
She nodded.
"Vivian, may I make an inquiry?"
"Of course."
"Given that you are substantially more familiar with human custom than am I, perhaps you can provide clarification: is there a significance attached to spending a holiday season with a partner's family?"
She bit the inside of her lip. "There is...It implies a level of commitment within that relationship. Is that problematic?"
"No. I would consider that to be an accurate implication."
Relief. "As would I."
"I believe the closest to an equivalent they would recognize would be 'fiancée'."
"Indeed."
He thought for a moment as they approached her suite. "Upon arriving on the surface then, we must first visit a jeweler." She raised an eyebrow. "If they are to understand, then I should present you with a ring, as is customary."
Vivian's core tightened. She worked to maintain an even expression despite her surprise, and, in a way, excitement. It was commonplace for human females to put a great significance on an engagement. While she preferred to focus on less frivolous matters, she appreciated the idea of partaking in a custom. "Logical...However...if I wear the ring aboard the ship, then we will also need to make an announcement to the crew regarding our upcoming union."
"Agreed. Is this acceptable?"
"Yes." As they stopped in front of her door, she made a small hm sound.
"What amuses you?"
"We are discussing visiting my human family. Your thought was to provide me a ring. My thought was to provide you an ugly Christmas sweater."
"You wish for me to wear something that is not aesthetically pleasing? Have I displeased you somehow?"
A small chuckle escaped her, "Not in the slightest. Some humans find it amusing to wear intentionally unsightly garment. It produces laughter and it is often a competition to see which attendee of a Christmas party can find the least appealing sweater. The appeal or lack-there-of is often determined by how counter it is to current fashion trend."
"Fascinating." His eyes twinkled with intrigue.
It was not, however, an ugly Christmas sweater that Spock wore they day they arrived on Earth's surface; it was a black turtleneck and grey dress slacks. It was something that appeared neither Vulcan nor distinctly human and might make a polished and professional first impression. Vivian, on the other hand, wore a green wrap dress and dark boots. He wondered if she had intentionally chosen to wear the color that had once represented passion for Vulcans. Were it not for the lower neckline, it could've been a more modern Vulcan garment. Again, he pondered on her choice in wardrobe, considering the idea that perhaps she was trying to draw his eye to her chest.
"This should be a quick chore." She informed her partner as they entered the jewelry store, dragging luggage behind them. "I have conducted thorough research to determine my preferences in advance."
While a human male might have scoffed at the seeming presumptuousness, Spock's head tilted in agreement, "Your efficiency is admirable."
"Howdy folks! What can I do for you two lovely people this here evenin'?"
"I intend on purchasing an engagement ring-"
"VS1 for clarity, F in color, 1.5 carat, marquise cut diamond on a simple, platinum band, size 7." She finished with a look of self-satisfaction.
"I appreciate your specificity."
"Thank you. I chose something that was of reasonable price, but quality enough to last beyond the average human lifespan."
The jeweler nearly choked, "The lady knows what she wants huh?" He shook his head and took a drink from the can on the counter. "Alrighty, well, I think I got somethin'." He put on some glasses and plucked a stone from a velvet cushion behind the counter. "What'da'y'all thinka that?"
Spock looked to Vivian who nodded with approval, "Not ostentatious, but aesthetically pleasing and brilliant in its light reflection. Please arrange it in the appropriate setting."
"I can do that. Gonna take about two weeks though- this close to Christmas and all."
"That is not satisfactory. In two weeks, we will likely be on a different planet. If it is technically possible, I have sufficient credits to compensate a rush."
"We were anticipating leaving with the ring today. We are already what you would consider to be engaged."
"She means we are already promised to one another on our home planet for the sake of procreation, in part due to convenience, but also due to the inadvertent telepathic bond I created when I mind melded with her to save her consciousness."
"The ship's life support systems went down during an electrical storm and I had been supported by them while recovering from a near fatal injury caused by a Klingon attacker destroying my research base. Spock, I do believe this is the first time we've shared the story of how we met."
"You are correct. While the situation itself was dire and not desirable to be revisited, I am pleased by the memory of making your acquaintance." He raised an eyebrow in amusement.
Once again, the jeweler struggled to close his mouth slung open with shock. "You know...I've never met a Vulcan before. That's what y'all are right? I've seen folks like you on TV before. Do you all...talk like that?"
They both nodded.
"We are on shore leave currently, but we are both Starfleet officers visiting my human family for Christmas. Because they are unlikely to understand our customs, we thought our arrangement would be best represented with an engagement ring. My father is, what one might call, old-fashioned. I believe the ring will ease the news that I am to be married on a different planet so I can help save a dying species."
The man took of his cowboy hat and used a towel to wipe the now-forming sweat from his bald head. "Shoot...what a story...tell ya what...gimme ten minutes in the back and I'll see what I can do." Fifteen minutes later he emerged with a small, velvet, black box. "This oughta do it."
As Spock exchanged credits, Vivian stood slightly behind him, absent-mindedly leaning into him. When they exited, she reached for the box he carried.
"What are you doing?"
"I was going to don the ring before we arrived home."
"I intended on presenting it to you, using the formal ritual which I have researched, thoroughly." He looked around the small town square and noticed a small greenspace in the center, sporting a large tree. "Perhaps we could cross and admire the lights before our summoned land vehicle arrives."
She pressed the button for them to cross, eyeballing him anxiously. Again, she appreciated the chance to partake in a 'normal' human ritual, but she was amused that there was no stereotypical surprise involved. This was better, however, as they had a shared distaste for spontaneity. Something still didn't sit quite right.
"In my limited experience with Christmas lights, I have always preferred the multicolored bulbs such as these." Spock sighed, seemingly with contentment. His mind churned, debating what he should say. Typically, a male would have been anxious that the female might reject his offer of commitment. He knew that she had already agreed to their commitment...but this somehow still felt vulnerable. She could reject him if he were to express affection. He cleared his throat and turned to her.
"Spock, wait." She shook her head. "I appreciate the attempt at adhering to our human heritage...And I understand and still intend to comply with our Vulcan arrangement..."
"However?"
"HOWEVER...if we are merely...maintaining our Vulcan arrangement..." She took a deep breath to return to center, surprised by the surge of emotion. "Do not perform a ritual of such significance."
"Understood." He hesitated for a moment, weighing the box carefully in his hand. This close to her, he could sense her anxiety, her fear of rejection, and her secret desire for vulnerability that seemingly mirrored his own. He watched her profile in the colored lights, admiring the angles of her face. It stirred something in him. "The arrangement on Vulcan is paramount...but it is not mutually exclusive to an Earth arrangement as well...I believe this is the corresponding stance." With a nod in her direction, he lowered himself to one knee. "And now I should make a declaration of my...feelings for you."
She froze, caught off guard, and attempted to limit the panic that was visible in her eyes. "Pardon?"
"Vivian...while I have only known you for a limited time...I have developed significant admiration and respect for you during such time both as a colleague and an individual. In addition...I find myself...unintentionally...both drawn to you as a companion and attracted to you as a member of the opposite sex. I had not anticipated finding a partner, much less a partner who understands the experiences of being a child of mixed parentage. Thus, it would be suitable for us to be joined in both traditions." He paused to open the box.
"You did want to perform the ritual..." She mumbled, stunned.
"I felt it relevant to inform you that although our Vulcan arrangement was...compulsory- when given the choice, I still choose you-"
"A human arrangement is our decision to make and yes...I would still choose you too." Her disciplined failed, as she was unable to restrict her smile.
His face mirrored hers as he moved to slide the ring onto her finger and stand. "Beautiful."
"I know. I chose it for a reason." She wiggled her finger, allowing the stone to catch the light.
"I was referring to its recipient."
She met his eye again, quietly. Her gaze roamed down to his lips and back up. Her breathing changed to match his. "Spock...since you have expressed emotion in this context...May I?"
"I believe that would be approp-" His voice trailed off as his face was cupped in her hands and brought down to her level. Her method of expressing affection was physical in nature.
Her lips pressed firmly into his, as if they were responsible for transmitting her feelings: joy, acceptance, attraction. Instinctually, his arms encircled her, pulling her into him as tightly as possible. What was initially meant as a wholesome, and warm-hearted gesture quickly changed in tone. They were incapable of touching without a surge of hormones and spark of energy. It was only the honk of a car pulled onto the curb that temporarily broke apart their magnetism.
When they climbed into the vehicle, they sat closely together in the backseat- closer than was necessary. They maintained even voices and cool demeanors with the driver, despite two of his fingers sliding along her thigh. She met his two fingers with hers, beaming up at him over her shoulder that leaned back onto his. Their faces hovered close enough to feel each other's breath. That link felt heightened again, and through that shared consciousness they knew that this interaction, while interrupted, was far from complete.