A Riverside Christmas Mystery
Chapter 6
"O the snow, the beautiful snow, Filling the sky and the earth below!
Over the house-tops, over the street, Over the heads of the people you meet,
Dancing, Flirting, Skimming along. Beautiful snow! it can do nothing wrong."
John Whitaker Watson
Jim woke from his nap feeling totally rested. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so relaxed, so at peace. His deep relaxation came from knowing there was no paper work, no red alerts, and no unreasonable Admiral's orders waiting for him when he got up. Even the niggling thought at the back of his mind about Davy's lost mother couldn't disturb the deep contentment he felt at being home with his mother, Peter, and his friends with him to share this Christmas with his home and family. He was in the same bed which had been his since he was five years old; he thought there was something very comforting and nurturing in that sameness and continuity. As he lay under his mother's quilt, he could hear male voices, the softer timber of his mother and Uhura, Davy's gurgles, and even Sorrel's meows. I should get up, he thought. He looked at his chronometer; he had slept deeply for almost two hours. I should definitely get up! He rose from the bed, ran his fingers through his hair, and walked into the living room.
"Hi, sweetheart, did you have a good nap?" His mother smiled up at him.
"It was great, Ma. Haven't napped like that in years." Jim crouched down and lifted Davy in his arms. "Hey Davy, how's our big boy?" Jim nuzzled him gently, tickling him under the chin and the baby's happy chuckle rang out and made everyone smile. Even Spock's lips twitched slightly. "What's going on here?" Jim looked at his mother, and put Davy down.
"We're talking about the two men who came this morning, Jim. In a way I think it's a good sign; it probably means that Davy and his mother are from this area or at least from not far away. Otherwise why would they keep searching here?"
"I think you're right, Ma. Which means we have to stay alert. I think they'll be back for another search."
"I agree, Jim. I estimate an 87.678 percent chance of their return."
"Oh my sainted aunt, Spock! Spare us the decimal places. I trust Jim's gut feeling more than your decimal places any time. If he thinks they'll be back, then sure enuf they'll be."
Winona stood. "I only wish we had an idea of where she's hiding. I think I'm going to comm Gavin and see how the birth record search is going, Jim."
"Good idea, why don't you do that and then come join us outside. We're going to finish the fort and after that we'll have a good war game. Come on people, let's get into our winter gear and get out there and finish building that fort."
It was McCoy's turn to shovel the snow, so Spock, Jim, Uhura and Peter made the snow bricks. For course, thought Jim as he watched his First Officer methodically pile his bricks neatly one on top of the other, Spock's bricks are perfect rectangles. Snow is such a novelty that he seems to be enjoying his experience with it. Davy, back in the bucket, sat contently watching in fascination as the fort grew taller and taller.
"You okay, Spock?" asked McCoy, checking the Vulcan's color carefully.
"Yes, Doctor. The activity of building the bricks is keeping me warm. I will take a turn with the shovel should you get tired, Dr. McCoy."
"Not on your life, Spock. I'm havin' too much fun. Let me know when we have enough snow, Jim. How tall are you makin' this dang thing anyway?"
Jim stepped out of the fort and inspected it carefully. "What do you think, Nyota? Is it tall enough?"
"Jim, I'm from Kenya. I have no experience with snow forts, but I'd say it's high enough to be good protection from flying snow balls."
"All right. No more bricks, it's time to make the snow balls. We need lots of them. Bones, you can stop shoveling now. We can just dig down into the snow to make the snowballs."
The snow ball making went fast and soon there was a huge pile on the snow bank. Bones, looking around and seeing everyone focused on the task at hand, grabbed a couple of snowballs and threw them at Jim. That's all it took. War Broke Out! The snow balls few fast and furious, hitting everyone indiscriminately; their laughter rang loudly in the afternoon quiet. Ducking inside the fort provided some cover, but not enough. Spock was hit by two snowballs simultaneously, and looking around he saw Uhura's slightly guilty look; he lobbed one back at her and caught her in the shoulder. Peter threw one at Dr. Bones, and got one back at him. The battle raged on with them running in and out of the fort for protection, until at last all the snow balls were gone. Everyone collapsed giggling in the snow (except for Spock, of course, who just stood looking down at everyone). Davy's eyes were round with wonder.
Winona came out of the house. "Am I too late?" she asked looking at the laughing bodies sprawled in the snow.
"Yeah, Ma," said Jim laughing breathlessly. "All the snow balls are gone. It was a glorious battle while it lasted though," he told her, still laughing. He grabbed a handful of snow and leaned over and washed Peter's face with it. Peter yelled at the coldness and giggled helplessly.
"We'll if the battle is over, come inside and warm up," Winona laughed. "I have some hot apple cider waiting and I'll fill you in on what Gavin and Tom said."
McCoy grabbed Davy and they all trooped back in the house. Bones put the baby in his chair, "Bo" he said again to Bones' delight.
Winona passed around the mugs of hot spiced cider as they sat down and put down a plate of cookies which disappeared rapidly. "They're oatmeal cookies, Mr. Spock. I think you'll enjoy them so grab one before they're all gone."
"Jim, Gavin said he started with the birth record from hospitals furthest away from Riverside. He wanted to eliminate those first. He didn't find anything. Tomorrow he'll start on the cities and towns closer to Riverside. Tom told me that he's checking all the birth data bases in Star Fleet. He and Gavin both started the search parameter going back 14 months just to be safe," Winona said. "I told them Nurse Chapel is doing the DNA search. I also told them about the two men who came here looking for Davy's mother. Gavin is very concerned about them. He wants a description so he can check law enforcement records.
"Ma, Commander Bradford's using a lot of resources and he must be using a lot of SIS computer time. Iowa has a lot of towns and cities and I hope he doesn't get in any trouble with his superiors."
"I know, Jim, but he wants to do it and so does Dr. Jeffries. They're good men, they want to help us find Davy's mother."
Jim lifted his head suddenly and held up his hand for quiet. He looked at Spock. The Vulcan's keen hearing also heard the rough sound of the shuttle again. Jim threw on his coat and ran toward the kitchen. "Spock, you're with me. Nobody goes outside!" They ran out the back door and scanned the horizon. " They're searching in Birnam Wood." Spock looked a question at Jim. "Birnam Wood?"
"We do like our Will Shakespeare in this house, Spock." Jim said. In the distance over the wooded acres next to the farm, they could see the same shuttle from the morning going back and forth just above the tree line. It was searching in a horizontal and vertical grid in a slow careful methodical pattern.
'Damn," said Jim. "I had a feeling they weren't going to give up. They must be pretty sure Davy's mother is close by." He fisted his hands at his side in frustration. "What the hell is all this about? What did that woman see?" "Spock," he asked, suddenly, remembering. "Did you bring your phaser?"
"Yes, Jim. It's packed in its case at the bottom of my duffel."
"Good. I brought mine too. Sure hope Uhura and Bones did. We may need them Spock, although I hope we won't. The thought of phaser fire anywhere near Ma, Peter, and Davy gives me the cold shivers?"
"It may not come to that, but I agree that it's best if we are fully prepared." Spock's face was grave as he thought of the children and phaser fire anywhere near them.
Jim and Spock stood shoulder to shoulder in the cold night watching until the shuttle apparently finished with its search, lifted and flew west toward Riverside.
Jim took a deep breath in relief to see them go. "Let's go inside, Spock. It's getting dark fast and the temperature is dropping again."
Back inside 4 pair of eyes looked expectantly at Jim and Spock. "It was the shuttle again. They're still looking. They thoroughly searched Birnam Wood, Ma, then flew west toward Riverside."
Winona looked at Davy playing happily with Peter and Sorrel. "That poor girl, Jim. Where could she be?" Her worried eyes sought her son's troubled ones when suddenly her comm unit chimed and she went to answer it. They could hear the soft murmur of her voice from the office and then a soft chuckle. She came out of the office with a bemused look on her face. "I don't really understand it, but Gavin Bradford said he's coming tomorrow. He may have some information for us by then, he said the search will be finished. He can't stay long, but he's worried about what's going on here and he also wants to speak with you, about those two men. I told him it wasn't necessary, Jim, that you could comm him, but he insisted."
"That's good, Ma. It'll be great to see him again." Jim's lips twitched once. Apparently, protecting Winona Kirk, Peter and the baby was a high priority with more than present company. That she seemed entirely oblivious of this, made it all the more endearing.
"Uhura, did you and Bones bring your phasers with you?"
"I did, Jim. I checked it out of the armory for the month. Experience has taught me that if we're going anywhere with you, Captain, it's best to be ready," Uhura threw a mischievous smile at him, which Jim pretended not to see.
"I didn't, Jim. Just brought my medic kit and medical tricorder with me."
"That's okay, Bones. We're fine. Just checking," said Jim putting his arm around his friend's shoulder and giving him an affectionate squeeze. "I prefer you in your role as doctor anyway and not with a phaser in your hand."
"I better go see to the animals," said Winona, smiling at them. It's getting dark out."
"Spock, Peter, and I'll go, Ma. Ginger will be glad to see me."
"Take Davy, Jim. He'd loved Dapple. There's fresh hay in the barn, and feed in the bin. The chicken feed is also in the barn."
"Spock you carry Davy so I can feed the animals. The barn is pretty warm so I think Davy just needs his coat and hat. Just let me check the area first before you bring Davy out."
Spock put on his coat, picked up Davy and Winona put the baby's coat and hat on him. They followed Jim to the door and waited until he gave the okay. The night was clear and thanks to the farm's distance from the city and very little ambient light, the stars glittered overhead in an impressive golden display.
Spock took the baby's tiny hand in his and pointed it up to the sky. "Look up, Davy-kam. See the beauty of the night sky." The baby's head followed his hand and he tilted his small head to see the stars. "Look Peter. There is the Milky Way. Vulcan is there in the Alpha Quadrant." Spock tilted Peter's head gently and pointed with his free hand to the area where his planet was.
"I know, Mr. Spock. After we got back from San Francisco, I asked Noni to help me find it and we did.(1) It must be very beautiful there."
Spock looked down at Peter. "I am most gratified, Peter, that you know where my home world is. It is very beautiful, but it is very hot and the gravity is heavier. We do not have winter like you do here in Iowa, thus no snow, nor do we have the beautiful Autumn you have here when the leaves change color; but there is much beauty in both our worlds, Peter-kam." He touched the child's head gently.
"I really want to go there someday, Mr. Spock. I sure would like to see where you grew up and what it's like to live there," Peter said, his hazel eyes had a far away look, as he looked up at the tall figure beside him.
"Then Peter, your Uncle Jim and I must make sure that you visit Vulcan one day. My parents would be very pleased to welcome you and your grandmother to their home and I would be pleased to show you some of the interesting places of my home world. Come now, let us go into the barn. Your Uncle Jim is waiting for us."
In the barn, Jim was feeding Ginger and scratching him in his favorite spot between his eyes. Dapple had already been fed. Spock took Davy over to see the donkey and again the baby cooed and gurgled at the sight of the small animal. Dapple walked over to them in search of a treat, and Peter gave him a lump of sugar. Davy reached over to pull Dapple's ears, but Spock caught the little hand first. "No, Davy that hurts the donkey; softly is the way." He took the baby's hand and gently stroked Dapples' ear. "See how he likes that, Davy?"
Jim stood watching his First Officer as he interacted with Davy. Spock's body language was totally at ease, relaxed and comfortable with Davy in his arms; his actions were gentle and patient, just as they always were with Peter. Jim shook his head. I should know by now, never to under-estimate him, Jim thought. Spock turned his head and met Jim's gaze. He tilted his head just so, his eyes glinting softly as he gave Jim his not smile. Jim returned the smile. "Are you enjoying your visit, Spock? It's not all too much for you? The cold, the snow, the fun, all the emotions?"
"No, Jim," The soft voice was deep with obvious sincerity. "Do not be concerned. Spending this time with you and your family, with McCoy and Uhura has been a positive experience. I am very pleased to be here."
"That's good, Spock. No, that's more than good, it's great!" Jim eyes shone gold with pleasure at Spock's words.
The chickens were fed, and they went back inside to find Bones, Uhura, and Winona in the kitchen fixing dinner. "I hope left-over vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches are okay with everyone," Winona said. "We have pie for dessert. I baked several before you came."
"Perfect, Ma; comfort food on a cold winter's night."
After dinner Jim went to the office to check on his ship and Winona went to get Davy ready for bed. Spock got out the chess board for a game with Jim, and Bones got his padd out for some quiet reading of back issues of his medical journals. Uhura sat quietly watching.
Jim came back and his smile told the story. "Scotty said all's well with the ship and crew and the first medical run was underway and uneventful so far." Jim and Spock sat down for their chess game at the table in front of the fire-place. Peter took his favorite stance standing behind his Uncle Jim, leaning into him with his arms around his neck. Jim patted the small hands and said, "Watch and learn, Squirt, as I beat the pants off of Mr. Spock."
Spock was unperturbed and the black eyes twinkled. "I do not think it would be proper for me to have my pants removed in front of your mother and Nyota, Jim. So I do not plan to let that happen."
Jim laughed as Winona came back with a sleepy Davy and sat in the rocking chair.
"Uhura why don't you sing something for us. It would be a treat for Davy and for all of us."
"I'd like to, Jim. What shall I sing?" Uhura brought out her lyre from its case and strummed it softly.
"You choose. We'll enjoy whatever you choose, maybe something soft to put Davy to sleep."
Jim chose white and moved first. He moved his pawn forward and settled back in his chair, quirking an eyebrow, a perfect imitation of Spock.
Uhura had her lyre tuned and ready. "Let's see now, there are so many beautiful songs to choose from. I know! You probably know that I like ancient Terran folk music very much and I've made a study of it. This one is very old, from the 17th century and is especially suitable for this time of the year." She smiled at her captive audience and strummed lightly on the lyre in a soft introduction.
To Drive the Cold Winter Away
All hail to the days that merit more praise Than all the rest of the year, And welcome the nights that double delights As well for the poor as the peer! Good fortune attend each merry man's friend, That doth but the best that he may; Forgetting old wrongs, with carols and songs, To drive the cold winter away.
Let Misery pack, with a whip at his back, To the deep Tantalian flood; In Lethe profound let envy be drown'd, That pines at another man's good; Let Sorrow's expense be banded from hence, All payments have greater delay, We'll spend the long nights in cheerful delights To drive the cold winter away. 2
John Playford (1623-1686)
Winona drew a deep breath. "That was absolutely beautiful, Nyota. Thank you...and see, Davy is sound asleep. I'll go put him down and then how about some hot chocolate when I get back."
"Perfect. I'll get it though," said Uhura. "You just sit down after you put Davy down."
"That was perfect, Nyota. What a beautiful song," said Jim.
"Indeed, Nyota. I would appreciate a copy of the music and lyrics," said Spock.
"You should make a recording, Nyota," said Bones. "You can leave it here for Peter and Winona after we leave. A perfect keepsake of your time here with them."
"That's a lovely idea, Leonard. I think I will." She went to the kitchen to fix the hot chocolate.
Winona came back and the rest of the evening passed quietly in soft conversation and more music. Jim did indeed win the chess game; and when Spock tipped his king, Jim announced with a big grin, that he would magnanimously allow Spock to keep his pants on.
1 See "Hostages "
2 For a beautiful rendition of this lovely song, see You Tube
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