Thank you to the awesome and wonderful LadyFangs for her beta assistance. Also a big hug to the ladies of WA. You make a girl want to get better at this little hobby. When I grow up I want to write just like you. One more chapter people and the trilogy is wrapped.
Chapter 13 - Where I Belong
The starting lineup sat quietly around McCoy's dining room table. It was just before eleven. The game started at three. Gaila shook her head as she deposited a bowl of fruit salad in front of her husband. Nyota sucked her teeth as she slid a platter of bacon into the remaining free spot at the table's center. Joanna even joined the rebuke with a muttered "grow up". The men waited in silence until they heard the three sets of feet retreat down the hall to one of the back bedrooms. McCoy's fork had only pierced his eggs before the war of words began.
It started with Sulu. Just as McCoy knew it would.
"What happened to the McCoy who would cold cock that ass and ask questions later? Did she make you invite him? I can't believe you used our extra ticket on him. Do you know how much money we could have made?" Sulu reached for the waffles only to have them snatched from his grasp by the doctor. He snorted and threw in a retort as he withdrew his hand. "Oh but you'll leave your true friends starving and alone."
McCoy threw him a warning look.
"First and foremost I don't have to take your shit at my table in my home while your greedy ass is eating my food. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions--"
McCoy paused and cast a glance down the hall before lowering his voice to a whisper, "No woman tells me what to do."
That last statement was met by series of chuckles and cleared throats and raised eyebrows as the men waited for a screech to come from the other end of the hall. Nyota's hearing was world renowned and surely she had just picked up the declaration made by a whispering McCoy.
Nothing.
Satisfied, the doctor continued, "This is not the Enlightening Period of 2010. I went with a gut feeling. You didn't see that man's eyes Sulu. You haven't watched him over the past few months. He's trying hard to reconcile who has become with what he used to be. He's had more than enough opportunity to take advantage of his friendship with Nyota. But he hasn't. And he's remained respectful of me and our family."
He shoved a forkful of lukewarm eggs in his mouth before speaking again- mouth full.
"Hell, at one time or another we all needed someone to extend a hand and help us out of the mess we'd gotten ourselves into. Spock ain't that different in that regard."
Nods of acquiescence came from all but one.
"I don't trust him."
Sulu's jaw twitched and his arms folded across his chest as he leaned back in the chair.
"Maybe you think he's changed. But his history tells another story. I can't forgive what he did to Nyota. My trust is earned- and he hasn't done shit to earn any of it."
"Enough Karu!" Pavel's voice broke through the tension. He shook his head in disgust. "Do you have such little forgiveness in your heart? Would you be so quick to talk about me with such hatred? We wouldn't even be together if it wasn't for Nyota interceding on your behalf."
Sulu took a deep breath and then released everything that was heavy on his heart.
"Nyota cried on my shoulder long before you were in the picture doc. I was the one picking up broken pieces - wiping tears when he used her and threw her to the side like some rag doll. So forgive me for being loyal to my friends."
The last words were a bitter reflection on what he'd suffered through too during the days of Spock and Nyota.
"Ru, I'm not asking you to be his best friend." Obviously Nyota had heard the latest exchange. No one had even heard her re-enter the room as she walked up to Sulu, standing beside him and placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The men turned to face her as she spoke to him.
"Thank you for being there and loving me when I was too stupid to know my own worth. I appreciate each night you held me and let me cry. I'm thankful for every single moment that you refused to turn your back on me."
She paused brushing away the tears that had begun to fall with the back of her hand.
"You're the reason I was able to recognize what I found with Leo. You helped me learn by allowing me to watch you and Pavel and how your friendship blossomed into real love. I wouldn't have a model to follow without you or the old married folks." Nyota pointed where Gaila now sat with Jim. "Do you see that? Spock never had that luxury. He didn't have an example or a template to follow. And he was too young to know that the figure he did have wasn't the right one."
Sulu relaxed a bit and looked up at her.
"For you. I'm only doing this for you." Hikaru smiled at Nyota as all tension fled the room and the ice broke.
"Now can I please get some damn food?!" He held his empty plate in the doctor's direction.
The somber mood lifted and the apartment filled with the sound of laughter. One person talked over the other to stress their point in stories that were partial truth and drenched in embellishment as the noise level grew louder and louder. No one heard the doorbell. They were all too busy making bets and predictions on the game. Jim and Nyota prided themselves as being the only diehard Saints' fans in the building while everyone else was sure the team would fold to the lowly Cardinals.
Joanna's loud screech of Spock's name interrupted the playful argument. "Spock!"
The room turned and watched as the little girl flew into open, welcoming arms. Spock bent down to catch her and pick her up, tucking her close to his chest. They babbled together, exchanging a morning greeting and catching up on events that had been missed since seeing one another last. She messed up his perfect hair and he laughed– a sound that at least four new sets of ears had yet to hear. Joanna jumped from his arms and grabbed his hand- pulling him to the table.
He was greeted by two lovely female smiles (Nyota and Gaila) a few seats scooting to make room (Pavel, Jim and McCoy) and a long, lingering look from one (Sulu). It got quiet and he hedged slightly.
"Good morning everyone, I rang the bell and knocked but there was no answer. The door was unlocked so I came in." His apprehension was visible. The usual hard-eye contact was gone and replaced with a slightly lowered visage. The broad shoulders usually thrown back in arrogance were tense with nervousness. He swayed a bit back and forth clutching Joanna's hand.
. Before he could bolt, McCoy stood and gestured for him to sit down
"Have seat. Want some grub?"
And like that all remnants of the previous unease vanished. He had one foot in the door.
Later on Spock helped as they packed Jim's jeep with more food, a cooler full of ice and, as they men explained to Joanna, "adult beverages".
They were all now out by the car.
"So, if I understand correctly, we just ate breakfast, now we pack more food, and we'll eat again at the game?" Spock stood by backseat door, a look of confusion on his face, his brow furrowed.
"You don't question the day – you enjoy the game – you enjoy your friends." Jim slapped him on the back and went back to arranging to their cargo and tying it down.
Thirty minutes later Spock was speechless as they made their way into the stadium. People bustling to and fro, dressed in the same attire he was in- or worse. They used slang in their speech- something he inwardly flinched at. And more questions arose. He watched everyday people separate from the elite. This was a new experience for him and he was not 100-percent comfortable. He felt out of place.
He followed the guys to their seats in the end zone as his head continued to crane towards the luxury boxes with wistful longing.
McCoy caught him, "You can't watch a football game in leather seats in a heated room."
They moved in a tight aisle, accidentally stepping on other toes and brushing up against knees folding in trying to accommodate them. Finally, after what felt like forever to Spock, they found their seats.
He began watching, keen eyes intent on the game before hand and before he knew it, he was sucked in.
The crowd roared and Spock stood. His voice rising and exiting his mouth as the urge to cheer for the men in gold and black overtook him. He was wedged between Sulu and McCoy. The two took terms explaining defense and offense as well as the meaning of 1st and 10. He learned why the men in the black and white striped shirts kept throwing those gold flags on the ground. And he accepted the tortilla chips covered in cheese and jalapeno peppers.
"Nachos. Don't ever let me hear you say tortilla chips again. It sounds gay." Hikaru corrected Spock.
Spock's confusion was evident."Hikaru, you are gay."
"Joke! I was making a joke!" Hikaru said shaking his head and laughing.
So this is what it felt like to belong, Spock's inner voice mused as the team in the black and gold scored again and the stadium erupted in cheers.
***
"Somewhere there's a picture and video of Spock without a shirt, helmet on head, and the number 9 painted on his chest." McCoy whispered in Jim's direction as they drove home.
It was dark, and the stars twinkled overhead as a warm breeze flitted through Jim's open-top Jeep.
"Who would've thought he'd actually be fun?" Jim tossed a look over his shoulder to the man sprawled across the seat behind him. Spock was asleep.
Sulu and Chekov were weaving in and out of traffic in front of them in their tiny car on the ride home. McCoy and Spock rode with Jim for the luxury of leg room.
"So what's the plan now Captain?" The smirk could be heard in McCoy's voice. "We gonna haze him and teach him the secret handshake?"
Jim chuckled.
"If by hazing you mean subjecting him to Gaila's cooking on Sunday afternoon that can be arranged." Jim paused a moment before speaking his next thought.
"You know, I've been thinking. Maybe we should have tried this a long time ago, if we would have stepped up sooner a world of hurt and mistakes could have been avoided."
"Maybe…" McCoy mused, his voice low. He looked back at Spock, whose eyes and ears were now open and locked eyes with him.
He continued speaking.
"But sometimes the pain makes the lesson stick."