AN: Wow... I last updated on Christmas Day... that's like... 3 months ago. Er.. sorry?
Okay, so this chapter has been sat a fifth finished for about a month and a half. I finally found the will to finish it tonight and it ended up being the longest one for this fic yet, so... yay! Unfortunately, it's kind of only a filler chapter, but my two OTPs are in there, so... you know, that's a win. I'm going to stop babbling now: Enjoy!
P.S. In case you can't remember, the last chapter ended with Jim and Bones telling Joanna about the five year mission and the Khan Memorial Service. Also, this is only half-proof-read - it's 3 in the morning, give me a break!
Jim was starting to count down the days until the Enterprise and her crew would leave on Starfleet's first ever five-year mission; the last month of waiting was jammed pack with things that needed to be done, checked, double-checked and approved before the ship could finally set out.
As much as he was going to miss Earth and Joanna and generally having a relatively normal life, Jim found that he couldn't help the excitement for the adventure he'd soon be setting out on. In some ways, being given the mission was bittersweet; on the one hand, it was the mission he'd wanted for years and he was finally getting his wish. On the other, it resulted in him leaving behind a lot of the things he loved, and it left a twisted feeling in the pit of his stomach when he remembered that, a year ago, it would have been Pike giving him the mission.
He'd spent weeks in talks with the Admirals and had somehow managed to find time to talk to each and every member of the crew who would be joining him for the next five years. Every member had already been subjected to numerous psychological evaluations (because it really wouldn't do for someone to go crazy a year and a half in; that would be terribly inconvenient). Jim, however, was ever one to make things personal, and had taken it upon himself to make sure that every single member knew exactly what they were getting themselves in for (namely, five years of him being his usual pain-in-the-ass self).
Spock, however, seemed to have different ideas for the conversation topic in his session.
"Jim, I have something that I wish to discuss with you."
"That's great Spock, but I'm going first," Jim said, gesturing towards the couch in his apartment. Spock moved to sit down and Jim silently wondered how he kept his posture so rigid because his couch was really, really comfortable and generally made everyone who sat on it want to sink into it and never get up.
He then realised that he was thinking about completely irrelevant things and that he should probably get back to the task at hand.
"So, Spock," he said, sitting down next to his First Officer, "Five years in space. With me. Do you reckon you could handle that?"
"On the contrary, Jim; I know I can 'handle that', as you so eloquently put it. And, as vain as it may sound, I doubt you would last a month without my guidance." Jim opened his mouth to protest but closed it again after no words came out.
"Alright, fair point," he said, "But five years is a long time, Spock. And you and Uhura are officially official now," he smirked at Spock, "Do you think you could manage five years of being that close to her? You know what they say, living and working together isn't always a good arrangement..."
Spock frowned slightly, "I do not see how my relationship with Nyota would affect how we work together."
"Oh, I'm not doubting you, Spock. But you should know by now that if there's anything a woman can do better than a guy, it's holding a grudge. And Uhura can be scary when she wants to be. I'm not sure I want to work with that."
Spock's frown disappeared, "I do not believe that Nyota and I will have an argument significant enough to affect your work, Jim," he said, "Which is what I wanted to discuss with you." Jim studied Spock for a second before sighing, waving a dismissive hand.
"Fine, fine," he muttered, "We'll talk about your thing. In all honesty, I don't think five years in space is going to change you at all. Go ahead: let's discuss whatever the thing is."
"Well," Spock said, pausing for a moment before continuing, "As of last night, it appears that Nyota and I will be getting married." Jim almost choked on thin air from the shock of Spock's words.
"You're what?" he exclaimed, "You're kidding! When did you pop the question?! Why didn't you tell me beforehand?! Aren't we supposed to have that weird bond because you saved my life that results in you telling me stuff like this?!"
"I'm not entirely sure that said bond exists at all, let alone between us," Spock said, frowning slightly, "As I mentioned, we have been engaged since last night. I thought it would be obvious, therefore, that I proposed last night. I did not tell you beforehand because I wished for it to be a quiet, private affair."
"Right, and I'm Mr Unsubtle, right?" Jim grumbled, "I can't believe this! You're actually getting married. To Uhura. You and Uhura are going to be legally a couple. I... wow. Good for you, Spock. I'm happy for you."
"Thank you," Spock said, nodding his head in acknowledgement, "But I have yet to come to the actual point."
"Right, okay, no more interruptions, I get it," Jim said, sitting back in his seat and waiting for Spock to continue.
"Due to the fact that the Enterprise leaves in twenty six days, Nyota and I thought it appropriate to set a date for the wedding immediately." He paused, waiting for Jim to interrupt, but the captain stayed quiet, "Consequentially, the ceremony will take place exactly two weeks from today." Jim stared at Spock for a moment, trying to work out if Uhura had finally taught him how to joke.
"So what I'm hearing," Jim said, sitting forward and resting his elbows on his knees, "Is that you spontaneously proposed and that you're going to have a spontaneous wedding before we leave Earth for five years."
"Then I can assume that your previous interruptions did not result in you missing the important parts of this conversation." Spock said, his eyebrows raised almost sarcastically.
Jim stared at him again, "You, Spock, are doing things spontaneously, without a proper plan, and you're going against social protocol and..." Jim laughed quietly, "Who are you and what have you done with my First Officer?"
Spock frowned again, "I'm afraid I don't understand the question."
"Spock, doing things on a whim is hardly your style," Jim clarified, "Spontaneous proposal, spontaneous wedding... it's not you." Spock studied his captain for a moment before speaking again.
"Considering that we are journeying to the very depths of space," he said quietly, "And that we know very little of what we shall face during our travels... I do not believe that my spontaneous proposal, nor the spontaneous wedding that is a result of it, are particularly out of character."
Jim watched Spock with a look of both amusement and admiration. He wondered, silently, of course, how long the Vulcan had been working up the courage to propose to Uhura; it obviously wasn't quite as spontaneous as Jim had been suggesting (because Spock didn't do things on a whim, no matter what he said) and he was fairly certain that Spock had spent many a sleepless night considering his options.
"I'm happy for you, Spock," he said after he felt that the silence had lasted too long, "Genuinely, I am. I'm sure you and Uhura will be very happy together." Spock nodded, a small smile lifting he corners of his mouth.
"Thank you," he replied, "I also have one more matter to discuss with you." Jim frowned slightly, wondering what else Spock could possibly have to discuss, but waved a hand.
"Go ahead," he said.
"Nyota has requested that we arrange everything for the wedding as soon as possible," Spock said, "And, as such, she has gone to Miss Marcus and Miss Chapel today to request that they be her bridesmaids. I therefore believe that I should also contribute to our plans by asking you to be my best man."
Jim stared at Spock for a moment, barely having registered what his friend had said.
"You want... you want me to..." he stammered over his words, "Your best man?"
"Yes, Jim," Spock replied, "Earth customs state that it is the groom's best friend or closest relative who fills the role as best man. As I have no brothers or cousins and am not as close to my father as I could be, I cannot think of someone better than you to take the spot."
Jim couldn't quite find the words to reply, and told Spock exactly that: "I don't know what to say."
"Well, I would suggest 'yes' or 'no' to be good responses to further this conversation," Spock said almost teasingly, "And I will request that you do not ask for 'time to think about it' as time is clearly not on our side."
"I'd be honoured, Spock," Jim said immediately. Spock nodded.
"Thank you, Jim." He replied, "I will leave you in peace to conduct the rest of your sessions. I have much more to plan." Jim held his hand out to Spock, inviting the Vulcan to shake it.
"Congratulations, Spock," Jim said again as his First Officer shook his hand.
It was only after Spock had left that the reality of what he'd agreed to hit Jim. Memories of the week before the Khan Memorial Service came rushing back as Jim groaned.
"Does this mean I have to write another speech?!"
Uhura was practically drowning in wedding preparations. She had to find a Minister, a location, a dress, bridesmaids dresses, somewhere for the reception, not to mention invite all of her family, and Spock's family, and their friends...
It was a lot to do, to say the least.
Which was what brought her to Bones' door in the evening a few days after Spock had proposed. It was Joanna who opened the door, her face lit up in a smile.
"Aunt Uhura!" she said, throwing herself at Uhura. The woman laughed, lifting Joanna up in a hug.
"Hey, sweetie," she replied, "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Georgia for another three weeks?"
Joanna shrugged as Uhura put her down, "Mommy said I should spend as much time with my dad before he leaves." She said simply. Uhura noted that her tone wasn't sad when she said it and wondered, privately, what that meant.
"Jo?" Bones' voice rang through the apartment, "Who's at the door?"
"It's Aunt Uhura!" Joanna called back.
"Well, are you going to invite her inside?" Bones asked, appearing from the kitchen wearing a striped apron. Uhura raised an eyebrow at his appearance, "Don't ask," he muttered, "Come in, come in." He said, putting his hands on Joanna's shoulders and steering her away so that Uhura could enter the apartment.
Uhura shut the door behind her, following Bones into the kitchen as Joanna returned to the living room to draw. "So she's staying with you until we go?" she asked carefully, knowing that leaving his daughter was becoming a touchier subject the closer their leaving date got.
"Yeah," Bones said quietly, returning to whatever he was cooking, "Spring break's been over for a week, but her school is sending all of her work through, and she's always talking to Dylan over video-chat, so she's not missing too much." He turned around to look at her, "I hear congratulations are in order," he said, already wanting to change the subject, "I'm happy for you and Spock." Uhura smiled.
"Thanks," she replied, "That's why I came over, actually. Spock and I were wondering if, maybe... Joanna would like to be our flower girl?"
"Yes please!" Joanna squealed, running into the kitchen and hugging Uhura. Bones sighed.
"Jo, what have I told you about listening to adult conversations?" he said firmly.
"That I shouldn't do it," Joanna recited, "But if you don't want me to listen, then you shouldn't talk about me when I'm not in the room! That's rude."
"Eavesdropping is also rude," Bones retorted, "And little girls who eavesdrop definitely do not get to be flower girls." Joanna glared at him.
"Fine," she grumbled, "Can I be a flower girl if I promise not to eavesdrop again?" Bones acted like her was considering it. "Daddy!" Joanna whined. Bones grinned.
"It's Spock and Uhura's choices, sweetheart," he shrugged, "If they want you to be their flower girl then I can't do anything to stop it. But no more eavesdropping." Joanna squealed again, running to hug her dad.
"Thank you, Daddy!" she said. Bones hugged her back before pushing her off him gently.
"Go and wash up for dinner," he said. He turned to Uhura as Joanna left the room, "Do you want to stay for food?" he offered, "We've got plenty." Uhura smiled.
"No, thank you," she said, "I have to get back to Spock. He keeps trying to argue that certain colour schemes aren't logical. Honestly, if we both make it to the wedding without killing each other, it'll be a miracle." Bones smirked.
"Only Spock could use logic to pick his favourite colour," he muttered.
"I'll show myself out," Uhura told him, "Have a good evening."
"You too," Bones replied, "And Uhura?" she stopped just by the door. "Thanks for asking Jo to be your flower girl," he said, "I know it means a lot to her." Uhura smiled.
"My pleasure."
Ten days later found Bones, Jim and Spock in a suite in the large country house in which Spock and Uhura's wedding would take place.
"... And I'm going to end it with a toast to the happy couple." Jim finished saying his speech to Spock and Bones, "What do you think?" Spock had one eyebrow raised at him whilst Bones was unashamedly smirking at his best friend.
"I didn't know you could write something so heartfelt," Bones said. Jim frowned.
"Too soppy?" he asked, insecurity clear in his tone. The doctor realised that Jim was actually panicking about giving a speech and sighed.
"No, Jim," he said, "Not too soppy. It's perfect." Jim relaxed marginally.
"Spock?" he turned to his First Officer, waiting for an opinion.
"I agree with Doctor McCoy," Spock said after a moment, "Your speech is most suited to the occasion."
Jim allowed himself to stop panicking; if Spock and Bones couldn't find fault in it, then his speech must be fine.
There was a knock at the door and Joanna's head appeared around the ornate wooden doorframe. She grinned when she saw the three men.
"Do you wanna see my dress?" she asked, her tone teasing.
"Is this going to be one of those moments where we say 'yes' and you say 'well you can't' and run away laughing?" Jim asked.
"No!" Joanna protested, pushing the door fully open and walking in. Spock leaned over to Bones.
"I was made aware that seeing the bride in her dress before the wedding is bad luck," he said quietly, "Does this apply to all females in dresses, or just the bride?" Bones grinned.
"Just the bride, Spock," he replied, standing up. He approached Joanna, assessing her flower girl dress. It was a deep blue and knee-length with a cream belt tied in a bow at the back. She wore little, cream-coloured ballet flats and the sides of her hair had been plaited in a neat halo around the top of her head, the rest of her wavy brown hair hanging loose.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart," he said, crouching down to kiss her forehead. Joanna smiled.
"Thank you, daddy." She said wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him briefly. She then walked to Jim who smiled at her.
"You look amazing, Jojo," he said, also giving her a hug. Joanna smiled.
"Thanks, Uncle Jim," she said, "Did you finish your speech?" Jim nodded.
"It's got the seal of approval from your dad and Mr Spock." He confirmed. Joanna nodded approvingly before moving to where Spock was now standing. She crossed her arms over her chest, her face turning serious.
"Aunt Uhura is my joint-first favourite aunt," she told him, "And I like her very, very much. So, I want you to know that if you hurt her, even if you're five years away in space, I will be very angry. Okay?" Spock studied the little girl in front of him; it was hard to believe that Joanna, who barely came up to the tops of his legs and had tiny little butterfly hair clips decorating her plait, could pose any sort of threat to him.
He glanced briefly as Jim and Bones, both of whom stared back at him expectantly.
"Though I have no intention of hurting... Aunt Uhura," he said quickly, "I will take note of that. Thank you, Joanna." Joanna smiled brightly then, the menacing look vanishing from her face.
"Good," she said, hugging him before running from the room and back down the hall to where Uhura was getting ready.
Spock turned to McCoy when her footsteps could be heard retreating down the corridor, "You have... an odd daughter, Doctor McCoy."
"I heard that." Joanna's voice rang down the hall before they heard a door open and then close.
Spock looked slightly shocked at Joanna's reply; Jim and Bones did all they could to stop themselves from laughing, both at Joanna's threat and Spock's current face.
If the laughter that filled the following ten minutes was anything to go by, it was safe to say that they obviously didn't try very hard.
The actual wedding ceremony was over relatively quickly; Uhura wasn't particularly religious and Spock didn't believe in any religions that were practiced on Earth, so their ceremony generally consisted of their vows and the signing of the official papers that would declare them man and wife.
Jim had to give Joanna credit; most kids her age would have stood impatiently for the majority of the service, but she stood their quietly, actually looking interested as the minister said his parts and announced Spock and Uhura a married couple.
Their reception was held in a different part of the country house: a large room with a high, domed ceiling that dated back further than Jim was prepared to guess. He sat at the top table with Spock on his right and Bones on his left. Joanna sat next to her father, happily eating whatever was put in front of her in the hope that her father would let her have extra cake later on.
When the time came for Jim to give his speech, Joanna smiled at him encouragingly before he stood up. He smiled back, winking at her before standing. He tapped the edge of his champagne glass with his fork and the room fell silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he started, "As best man, it's customary for me to give a speech but, I'll be honest here, I've never been very good at that. Many of you here know me and will therefore know that I'm far better at spontaneously saying things than having to plan them, which, I think, is the general cause of what finds us in a lot of the predicaments we manage to get into." A ripple of laughter went through the room from the members of the Enterprise's crew who were present.
"But, I'm actually here to talk about two people who are about as different from me as it's possible to be," Jim continued, "I first met Uhura six years ago and, for the first half of that time, I didn't even know her first name. I'm incredibly happy to say that I've come to know her as well as any of my closest friends. I would trust her with my life and have done so more times in the past than I'd care to admit.
"And, having known her for so many years, I can safely say that there is no better match for her than Spock. Yes, his persistency to do the logical thing can be incredibly annoying and frustrating at times, but he's also compassionate, kind and an all-round good guy – even if he did maroon me on Delta Vega for proving him wrong." He risked a look at Spock and was glad to see a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that these two are about to start an exciting and adventurous chapter in their lives that will take them to places they've never been before. And that's just the five-year mission!" more laughter echoed through the hall. "I'm sure that I speak for everyone here when I say that we are immensely happy for the two of you and that we wish you all the luck in the world." He lifted his champagne glass from the table, "So, if you'd all like to join me in a toast: to Nyota and Spock."
A chorus of 'to Nyota and Spock' sounded throughout the room as people stood to raise their glasses to the happy couple.
When everyone took their seats again, Jim continued talking, "Now, I believe there is about to be a lot of dancing and, purely speculation, a lot more drinking. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy the remainder of the party."
Jim retook his seat, downing the rest of champagne and then drinking Bones' glass as well. The doctor raised his eyebrows at him.
"No, don't worry, Jim, I didn't want that." He said sarcastically.
"I need to drown my nerves with alcohol." Jim said as his defence.
"Why?" Joanna asked, frowning, "That was really good!" Jim simply shrugged. Bones rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Jo," he said, standing up, "Let's go and watch Spock and Uhura's first dance. Uncle Jim will pull himself together eventually."
*. . .*
Jim watched as Spock and Uhura's first dance ended and another song started. Uhura's parents joined the newly-weds on the dance floor and were soon followed by Bones and Joanna, the little girl giggling as her father twirled her around and then let her stand on his feet as he moved around the dance floor. Halfway through the song, Joanna left the dance floor and ran over to Jim.
"You should ask Aunt Carol to dance for the next song." She told him.
"And why's that?" Jim asked. Joanna frowned.
"Because the best man is supposed to dance with the chief bridesmaid," she said, "And even though there's two chief bridesmaids, I don't think Miss Christine will dance with you. She said you were a good-for-nothing meanie."
"'Meanie'?" Jim questioned amusedly, "She said 'meanie'?" Joanna blushed slightly.
"She said a bad word," she explained, "But daddy said I'm not allowed to repeat it." Jim grinned. "Ask Aunt Carol to dance." Joanna said firmly as the song began to come to an end. Jim sighed.
"Fine, fine," he replied, giving in, "I'll ask her." Joanna grinned.
"Thanks, Uncle Jim!"
As Joanna ran back to her father, Jim approached Carol, who was standing at the edge of the dance floor.
"Ahem," he coughed to get her attention. Carol turned to him, smiling when she identified him.
"Jim," she said, "Hello!" Jim smiled back.
"Hi," he replied, "Would you, er... would you... like... to dance?" he cursed himself mentally for stumbling over his words; he seemed to just make himself look like an idiot around the British woman standing next to him.
Carol, however, seemed blissfully unaware of his nervousness, smiling as she took his hand. "I'd love to." She said, pulling him onto the dance floor.
They danced in time with the music, Jim eventually relaxing and wondering what he was so worried about.
"You look beautiful," he said, halfway through the song. He had no doubt about that compliment: the dress she wore was a tighter, floor-length version of Joanna's dress that hugged Carol's figure in all the right places. Whilst it wasn't as magnificent as the cream wedding gown Uhura was wearing, the bridesmaid dress suited Carol perfectly.
Carol blushed slightly, "Thank you," she replied, "You look very handsome," she added, "I suppose it's true that men look good in suits." Jim chuckled quietly.
"Only good looking men," he corrected her. Carol laughed quietly.
They fell into silence, both of them appreciating the music that was playing.
"Are you worried?" Carol asked him after a while, "About... about the five-year mission? Are you worried about what you're leaving behind." Jim's gaze drifted from Carol to settle on Joanna. As he watched the little girl talking animatedly with Chekov about something, he smiled, really considering his answer to Carol's question.
"No," he said, his eyes still on his honorary niece, "I think what I'm leaving behind is going to be just fine while I'm gone."
So yaaaayyy Spock/Uhura wedding and Jim/Carol dancing yaaayy. Review if you deem this worthy and I apologise sincerely for taking 5ever to update :P
Okay, I'm seriously sleep deprived (it just took me 3 tries to type 'seriously' right .-.) so I'm just going to sign off here. TTFN, dear readers and thank you for reading.
