Disclaimer: SSDD – don't own em – just borrowing.
Warnings: Hmmm not much – maybe an allusion or two of a slashy nature.
This is short.
Author's note: On an UNRELATED topic – I just wanted to let you all know that I've temporarily disabled anonymous comments. I'm really Sorry for the inconvenience – it just needed to be done. Sigh... Anywho. I'm sure that when I am feeling less stressed I will enable them again.
If you wanna know why – pm me – I'll tell ya. Lol
THANKS SO MUCH to Everyone for all the reviews so far. Glad you like this one.
Destiny's Child
Chapter 4
Of Bubble Baths and Bedtime Stories
Jim had insisted on taking bath instead of a shower. His logical explanation had been that you take baths at night time and that showers were just for morning, and that sonic showers were just plain weird.
Spock had no argument for this, so he found himself running a bath for Jim and using shower gel to make the appropriate bubbles that Jim required. He noted that he would need to remember to requisition some bubble bath from ship stores. Apparently 'tub toys' would be required as well.
He let Jim rummage through his own things until he found a few items that he said big old Jim wouldn't mind if he played with in the tub. Then he found Jim a towel. Fortunately Jim still possessed his manual dexterity and was able to get himself undressed and into the tub.
Spock left both the bathroom doors open. He laid out pajamas on Jim's bed for him,then crossed back through the bathroom to his own quarters, stopping briefly to ensure that Jim did not need anything. Then he settled at his desk to pour over reports. He also fielded several calls about the Captain's well being from several concerned crew members.
All the while he listened to the child like noises of Jim playing in the bathtub. He heard motorboat noises and splashing, laser gun fire and simulated crashes and explosions. It would have been very cute had it been coming from an actual child, but Spock was concerned that his friend was permanently lost to him and was unable to find amusement in the adorable noises spilling forth from the bathroom.
When Jim had been in the tub for over half an hour, Spock had to lure him out with the promise of a bedtime story. He also had to point out that Jim's appendages were pruning and the water was getting cold.
Jim only agreed to get out of Spock agreed to help him dry his hair and get his jammies on.
"Mom always helped me when I was little before."
"I am sure she did, but that was because your manual dexterity was not fully developed and you lacked the skills to accomplish those tasks on your own. Such is not the case now." Spock pointed out.
"Please," was all Jim said, looking up at the Vulcan through his lashes and sticking out his bottom lip in an irresistible pout.
If Spock had admitted it to himself, he found Jim's requests hard to resist under normal circumstances. He however, refused to admit that to himself. Nevertheless, the increased level of irresistibility proved to be too much for Spock. He found that saying no to this version of Jim was something that although he was quite capable of, was also something he was very hesitant to do. It was very curious.
Ignoring his embarrassment, since being embarrassed was an emotion, and he therefore couldn't possibly be feeling it, Spock helped Jim get his jammies on. Then they perused Jim's shelves for an appropriate book for bedtime.
"I don't want a baby book, but chapter books aren't good for bed time."
"Perhaps I can tell you a story tonight and we can procure an appropriate selection for bed time tomorrow." Spock offered, secretly hoping that tomorrow Jim would awaken in his normal state.
"Okay. Tell me 'bout Goldilocks and the bears." Jim said jumping up on the bed and making Spock sit next to him.
"I would rather tell you about T'paylya and the Three Sehlats."
"Is that a good one?"
"My Mother told it to me when I was a child. I myself found it somewhat illogical. However, she explained to me that sometimes a story contains illogical and extremely fictional elements because it is for amusement purposes only. After I accepted her analysis and explanation I found that, though the story was still illogical, it was also quite entertaining. I believe you will find it agreeable."
The story was Goldilocks and the three bears with a Vulcan child and Sehlats. Jim found it very agreeable. He corrected Spock if he got a part wrong, and made Spock use different voices for the different Sehlats.
"You seem to be very familiar with that story Jim." Spock remarked when he had finished to a round of appreciative giggles and claps.
"Course I am silly. It's the same story as the Goldilocks one. You're Mommy was pretty smart to make it all Vulcany for you."
"She was indeed. Are you ready to go to sleep now?"
"Uh huh." Jim said yawning and climbing under the covers. When he was under, he directed Spock to spread the new blankie out on top of the covers, picture side up.
"Is this correct?" Spock asked, straightening the blanket.
"Yep. Hey Spock? See this bear?" Jim asked sitting up and pointing to the bear that was the same color as Spock's eyes when they were happy or amused.
"I do."
"I like him a lot. I said that before, but I forgotted to tell you I useta have one just like him. I sleeped with him every night. Hes name was Teddy. He was my bestest friend. Like you and Bones, cept he was little enough to cuddle with. I wished I still had him, but we losted him one time when we visited Idaho. I was too big for him then anyway, so I didn't cry....much..."
"How old were you?"
"Nine and ¾. Too old for bears. That's what Sam said. I still wished I had him though. Spock, do you think maybe we could find me another one?"
"Perhaps Jim."
"K. I guess I'll go to sleep now. Are you goin' to sleep now?"
"I will retire shortly."
"K..." Jim said hesitantly, stalling for time.
"Do you require something else?"
"Yeah, you gotta tuck me and I need a hugkiss."
"I see."
Spock indulged Jim and gave him a hug, noting internally how easily he seemed to accept the Captain's current condition and briefly wonder why that was so. He considered that the reason could simply be that he was used to adapting to the sometimes strange situations that seemed to occur on the Enterprise.
He dismissed the train of thinking as he got Jim to lay back down and then tucked the blankets back around him. Then he bent down and kissed Jim lightly on the forehead, and told himself that he'd never longed to do just that before.
Jim startled him by wrapping his arms around Spock's neck and kissing him wetly on the cheek before saying 'gnight Spock', and Spock told himself he'd never longed for a similar interaction to that either.
"Goodnight James," Spock said tenderly.
"I like that. I like James. Cuz I'm kinda not Jim now, and acuz I like the way you say it."
"Alright, from now on, I will call you James. Would you find that agreeable."
"Uh huh. Maybe I'll think of somthin' else to call you 'till I'm big big again too. Night Spock." Jim said sleepily, finally shutting his eyes. Spock could tell by his breathing that Jim was nearly asleep by the time he got to the bathroom door. He had the computer leave the lights at 10% before he headed back into his own quarters.