26 About Shoreleave
All things being equal, Jim doesn't really care where they take shoreleave as long as Spock is with him.
Being with Spock at any time is a little like their own private shoreleave, an idea that Spock agrees with although he won't admit it quite as readily as will Jim.
Chekov will eventually convince Sulu to go home with him to Russia in the heart of winter but he hasn't so far succeeded.
Despite rumors to the contrary, the Enterprise is not granted more shoreleaves than any other starship, and in fact, generally gets fewer than most.
Engineer Scott will reluctantly take shoreleave when the Captain specifically orders him to do so, and he'll sneak back on the ship as soon as he can get away with it.
For the longest time, Jim wouldn't let Bones take shoreleave on Earth because he was afraid when it came time to return to the Enterprise, the Doctor would simply refuse.
Gorgeous sunsets are wasted on Jim and Spock when they are on shoreleave together because they only have eyes for each other.
Hot weather is Spock's preference although Jim really likes to visit snowy locations, a dichotomy they finally resolve by alternating the types of resorts they visit.
Indoor recreational activities are always high on their list of priorities wherever they end up going.
Jim never felt entirely comfortable going on shoreleave until Spock and Bones joined forces and convinced him that his continued positive mental health was even more important than that of the rest of the crew.
Kayaking was something Spock never wanted to try until Jim showed him the one that was built for two, then Spock thought it was an excellent idea.
Leonard McCoy almost always refuses to go on shoreleave with his two best friends because he understands they do need time to themselves, and he has never wanted to be a third wheel to anybody.
Mardi Gras is the perfect time to visit New Orleans, Jim tells Spock, until they get there and are recognized, and are mobbed by thousands of drunken revelers, leading Jim to promise that Spock will be the one to choose their shoreleave destinations for the next three years.
Nobody would have expected Spock to pick DisneyWorld for their shoreleave, but he had a surprisingly good time and Jim promised they would go back whenever Spock wanted, even if they didn't get to be Grand Marshall of the Parade every time.
Oceans always mesmerize Spock, since the Vulcan on which he grew up nor New Vulcan have them, and Jim is fine with spending most of their shoreleaves next to one.
Peace and quiet – that's all Bones ever wants from his shoreleave, which is why he'll refuse to tell anybody where he's going, anybody but Jim of course.
Quite lovely, Spock tells Jim when the sun goes down in spectacular reds and yellows and oranges, although Jim suspects he's not talking solely about the sunset.
Risa is fine for shoreleave but Jim would much prefer to return to Earth, or go to New Vulcan to talk to first-Spock, although his Spock becomes jealous if they spend too much time together.
Sulu will go wherever Pavel wants him to, except Russia in the middle of winter, because too much snow makes Hikaru claustrophobic, an irrational fear he finally admits to Chekov after they had been married for 3 years.
Tomorrow is our last day, Jim reminds Spock sadly before gazing out over the ocean once more.
Until our next shoreleave, Spock replies before distracting Jim with his kisses and promises of more to come.
Visiting her home is bitter sweet for Nyota, and when she returns to the Enterprise, she immerses herself in her work until she shakes the melancholy left from the trip.
White water rafting ends up on Sulu's "forbidden" list when he breaks both arms while doing it down a waterfall.
"Xtreme rafting, Captain, is without a raft, which is the only reason I broke both arms," Sulu tries to explain, but Jim just turns a deaf ear to him and refuses to remove it from the list.
"You are never to do it again," Jim says to Sulu, making Chekov promise that he will do everything he can to stop Hikaru - next time.
Zero-hour is the time everyone is required to be back aboard the Enterprise or they will be left behind, and no one wants to have to contact Admiral Pike and explain why they are still planetside when their starship has already warped into space.
Nope, no zebras this time. Probably next time. ;-)