Yay, new chapter! :D Sorry it took a while. Distracted by other projects (like Baby Blues) and my last semester of college...I need to get a job...*sob*

Anyway, enjoy. New chapter of Baby Blues on the way too, as soon as I finish it.

The few days the spent on the Enlightenment seemed to pass both quickly and slowly. It passed quickly when Jim was with the others and in a good mood. It passed slowly when he was alone and contemplating what he was going to do on Earth. And more specifically, how to get back to his own time. Luckily or not, Spock often came to interrupt these thoughts. He would talk with him about what he'd learned that day via his portable lessons and looking around his ship before it would be time for them to go to bed. One night Spock fell asleep before him and Jim had to carry him to his room and pass him back to Amanda. She smiled fondly at both of them when he did and thanked him. Sarek, who had been further in reading, glanced up for more than a second before looking back to what he was reading. That struck Jim as odd, but he shrugged it off and returned to his own room.

Four days later they arrived in sight of Earth and were about to enter it's orbit. Amanda ran to the observation deck with an excited grin. It' had probably been a decade at least since she'd seen the blue planet in person. While Spock didn't run, he did walk a bit more quickly than normal ahead of his father.

Jim walked next to Sarek, smiling. "This means a lot to Amanda. And Spock too I think. It was very nice of you to invite them along."

"I realize my wife sometimes longs to see her planet of origin. I do not wish for her to become despondent, but I also knew she did not want to leave Spock alone. She is...more adept with children than I am."

"Hey, I'm sure you would do alright if you tried."

"Even Vulcan children, when young, are subject to emotional outbursts and needs until they learn to control them. Spock has made strides in doing so, but he is still emotional."

Jim frowned a little. "I don't see what's wrong with that..."

"...It is not wrong. He is still growing, learning. I know that. However, if he should become emotional, I would have no set plan in order to get him under control."

"...Okay, let me see if I translated this right. You're worried about spending time alone with Spock because if he shows emotion, like sadness or anger I'm guess, you don't know how to handle it?"

"..."

"Wow...well...y'know, I'm sure Spock would be happy to spend time with you, not worried or angry. You're his dad. If I had known my dad-I mean, if I could remember him, I'm sure I would've want to spend time with him. Even just to know he had an interest and cared about me."

"..."

Jim sighed a little and patted Sarek's back. The Vulcan was solid as a rock, but looked at him coolly. "Look, just think about it, okay? I know you care a lot about your son. There are ways you can show it without getting super emotional. Like with Amanda. She's human and full of emotions, but you seem to do well with her.

"...I will...consider it carefully," he said slowly.

He smiled a little. "Good."

"Father, Jay, come look at the Earth. It is...fascinating," Spock called.

Jim smiled and walked over, looking out the window next to the younger boy. The blue planet was coming closer and closer to them, the greens and browns of the land seeming to shine in the light where the sun hit it. In some places swirls of clouds only gave a peak of what was underneath. They could just barely see the dark side of the world where most were likely asleep or, as in Jim's youth, partying till it was light again. "Better in person than in pictures?"

"Indeed...It is odd, I feel almost as if I could reach out and hold it..." he said quietly.

The blonde smiled and ruffled the Vulcan's hair, swearing he heard an annoyed grunt as he interrupted the reverie. "That's so poetic, Spock. I'm impressed."

The Vulcan boy turned a darker shade of green in his ears as he tried to fix his hair. "It was only a moment of speculation..."

"Uh huh." He looked up and saw Amanda chuckling quietly. Sarek came and stood by her silently, but she looked at him contently. Jim smiled and turned to enjoy the view with all of them. When the Earth nearly filled the window they returned to their rooms to get their things and wait as the ship reentered the atmosphere. It was a bit bumpy, but it smoothed out eventually.

"Alright everyone, we're back on Earth," came Captain Kenool's friendly voice over the PA system. "For my crew, your two week shore leave begins now as the ship undergoes inspection and maintenance. For our guests, Ambassador Sarek and his family and assistants, I have been notified there will be a car waiting and ready to transport you to your hotel. I hope that you all have a pleasant and safe time on Earth."

Jim chuckles and grabbed the bag he'd packed, heading out and meeting up with Sarek, Amanda, Spock, T'Fua and Sarrin. T'Fua was still regarding him coolly and he smiled tightly back. Amanda was as bright as a star as they walked down the hall, Sarek and Spock on either side of her and Spock walking close to Jim.

Kenool smiled as they walked into the transporter room. "I have enjoyed having you and your family's company for the last few days, Ambassador. I hope you all enjoy your time on Earth, or at least find it stimulating."

Sarek's face didn't soften, but Jim thought he heard a more amiable tone. "Thank you, Captain. I found our chess games...thought provoking."

Kenool grinned, seeing the compliment for what it was. "Perhaps you will need a ride home. I would still like a rematch."

"Perhaps. My thanks again for your assistance."

"Yes, thank you Captain Kenool," Amanda said.

"Thank you," Spock said quietly.

"Thanks," Jim grinned.

Kenool smiled and nodded, helping them up to the transporter. "Your bags will be sent down next."

"Thank you," Sarek said again.

Kenool smiled and nodded to the technicians who put their coordinates in and pulled the lever. The familiar dissolving feeling came over Jim and a second later he was standing in a room that looked somewhat familiar.

"Where...?"

"We've beamed down to a reception room at the Star Fleet Academy. Regulations prohibit us from beaming down within the city," Sarek.

"Ah..." Thought I'd never see this place again.

Spock was looking around in curious awe at the room. Jim smiled a little, and then winced as he realized this was probably a big change from his own timeline. Hopefully this is a good change...

"Ambassador Sarek. Welcome." Jim looked up at who was talking as he moved to get off the transporter, and nearly fell over in shock. He barely recognized the man leading the group as Admiral Archer, though more than two decades younger than when he'd first seen him as a student. "I'm Captain Jonathan Archer, I'll be helping to get you to your hotel and with anything else you might need."

"Thank you, Captain," Sarek said. "This is my wife Amanda and my son Spock, as well as our companion Jay we notified you about earlier."

"Huh?" Jim asked in surprise. Spock looked at his father curiously as well.

"I have also brought my assistants Sarrin and T'Fua."

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you. Please follow me and I'll take you to the car we've brought, and then to your hotel."

"Thank you, Captain," Sarek said, bowing his head.

Archer nodded and motioned for them to follow. Jim couldn't help but look around the familiar but different walls of the academy. I didn't realize how different it must've been when I started going here...the paints' lighter, the carpets blue, the chandeliers are different...not sure why I thought I would find something familiar here...

"Jay?" Jim looked over at Amanda who was looking at him worriedly. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, fine...just...feels odd being on Earth."

Amanda smiled and patted his back, giving a little one armed hug to go with it. "I know what you mean."

Jim smiled but couldn't help think, You really don't...

Archer led them to a limousine, all of them climbing in. Surprisingly Spock got between Jim and Amanda on purpose. "Uh, don't you want to sit with your parents?"

"I believe they should sit next to each other. I'm fine here," the young Vulcan said stubbornly.

"Alright..."

Amanda chuckled but leaned slightly against Sarek when Spock said that. Sarek, though his face didn't change, leaned just slightly back. Jim had to smile slightly at that, smiling more at the confused look on Archer's face as he watched them. He felt a chill run up his spine however and glanced to the side. T'Fua was as stoic as ever though, and Sarrin had his eyes closed as if meditating. That was...odd...

The limo smoothly lifted up and glided through the streets of San Francisco. Jim looked out the window in behind his seat, smiling faintly at old landmarks he recognizes as well as businesses and restaurants that would be long gone by the time he moved down from Iowa.

"Does...anything look familiar, Jay?" Amanda asked, rousing him from his reflection.

"What?"

"You looked like you might recognize something."

"Uh...Just thinking a Big Mac sounds good," he said. "Passed a Mickie D's a little back."

"Big mac?" Spock asked curiously.

"A hamburger."

The T'Fua looked disapproving at the mention of meat but didn't say anything. Spock just wrinkled his nose slightly. "Vulcan's do not eat meat," he said.

"But I'm not Vulcan."

Spock looked down at that, contemplating something from the look on his face. Jim was about to ask what was wrong when the limo pulled up to a very nice hotel.

"We're here, Ambassador," Archer said

Sarek nodded and exited the car, lifting a hand to his wife. Amanda smiled warmly and took it, stepping out with him, taking a deep breath. Spock followed and sniffed the air, wrinkling his nose again. Jim sniffed as well when he straightened and chuckled. Car exhaust, smog and fast food, the smells of a city. It beat the dust and clay smells of Iowa in his opinion.

Nearby concierges and bellhops scrambled to get their luggage, one man in a suit walking up. "Ambassador, welcome to the Stillwell Royale. I'm Jacob Jessum, the Concierge here."

"Thank you. However, I would request we move on from the pleasantries. Due to our change in plans, my wife and I have only a little time to get ready for the panel's first dinner tonight."

Jim looked at them, not having known about the dinner before, and then glanced at Spock whose face was clear of emotion.

"Ah, of course. Right this way." The concierge showed them all in and Jim gave a soft whistle that echoed around the plush lobby. Gold and red were the mainstays of the decorations: Gold accents along the ceiling and columns, red cushioned seats in a ring around the columns, red cherry-wood desks and tables, gold carpets…It was all regal and posh and nothing like the motels Jim usually stayed at on Earth.

The concierge spared him a glance at the whistle, eyeing him curiously, before going to the nearby elevator whose doors were also gold colored. Opening up, the inside was glass enclosed with red cushioned benches on either side. Spock looked around curiously, pushing one hand on the glass as the elevator began to move.

"We have one of our best suites ready for you, Ambassador. Two bedrooms. And we have three of our nicest rooms ready on the same floor as you asked."

Spock looked up. "…Jay will be staying in another room again?"

"We thought it would be best," Amanda said, patting is head. "He'll be right next door though."

Spock didn't reply, looking pensively out the window. Jim frowned, wondering how attached Spock was becoming to him. This could make leaving difficult…

The elevator stopped at one of the top floors and they all filed out There were obviously few rooms on this floor, and the concierge led them to one of the larger doors. Three bellhops waited in front of the large door with all their bags. "This is the suite. You also have the rooms on either side and across the hall."

"Thank you."

"Jay," Amanda said, "What room would you like?"

"Uh…I'll take this one I suppose," he said, pointing to one at the left of the large doors.

"Alright." She grabbed his bag before the bellhop could react and handed it to him. "Come over to ours in a little bit, okay?"

"Sure thing," he smiled, taking the keycard from the concierge and opening the door. His jaw dropped at the room as he walked in. It was twice the size of his captain's quarters on the Enterprise, huge windows overlooking San Francisco and the ocean. The walls were a soothing cream color, the bed huge and with some expensive looking sheets and a cold and red comforter. A reading area with plush red chairs was in one corner near the window, the large TV visible from there or the bed if turned on the rotating table by remote. Setting his bag down, he walked over and opened the balcony door, walking out further enjoy the view, smiling to himself. "Damn. Ambassadors know how to live."

Jim stared out at his former home away from home when he wasn't away from home for a long time, lost in his thoughts, till there was a knock at the door. "Jay?"

He smiled and walked over, opening the door. He snorted, almost bursting out laughing when he saw Amanda standing there with curler's in her hair. "Hello, Medusa."

"Oh hush!" She smacked his arm with a smile. "How's your room?"

"Very nice. Great view."

"I know, ours is lovely too. But Jay, I have a favor to ask. You might've heard Sarek mention the dinner…I forgot all about it till we got here, but could you maybe stay with Spock? He likes you more than T'Fua or Sarrin."

"…You want Uncle Jay to babysit?"

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Yes, I want you to babysit. Please. I'll even pay you."

"Sweet, maybe I can save up for a car when I finally get my license," he said, imitating a teenager.

Amanda just shook her head with a laugh. "C'mon, we're getting ready right now."

Jim followed her back to the large suite, mouthing dropping once again. If his room was posh, this was luxurious. It was like a small apartment, with all the furnishings, a small kitchen, huge windows and two separate rooms separated by the living room with a big screen TV. "Wow…"

Amanda chuckled. "Being an Ambassador, and his family, has perks," she said, heading back for one of the rooms.

"No kidding…" Jim saw Spock standing at the window of the balcony, looking out at the view. He walked over to stand next to him. "Hey…what do you think?"

Spock glanced at him before fixing his gaze back on the outside world. "It is…far different from Vulcan."

"Yeah…"

"…I would like to see the ocean. Closer I mean."

Jim smiled and patted his head. "We can do that."

"…Mother and Father will be busy over the next few days with this panel and duties at the Embassy. Mostly father…"

Jim sobered, feeling sympathy for his pint sized friend. "…I'm sure he'll take off time if he can. But we can still go to the beach. Maybe the aquarium too."

"Aquarium?"

"Yeah, it's like a zoo for marine life. You can see animals you usually wouldn't if you just went to the beach, but the beach is fun too of course cause you can play in the water, and make sand castles and…I'm rambling, huh?"

"…I would like to do both."

Jim smiled. "Me too. But I'm watching you tonight."

Spock blinked before Jim thought he saw a greenish tinge to his cheeks. "I do not require being 'watched', I am not an infant. I'm fully self-sustainable."

The blonde arched his eyebrows. "Oh? In that case I suppose I could not watch you, maybe go out on the town-"

"No!" Jim was startled by the sudden emotional rebuff. Spock blushed further and looked away again. "I…did not say I would not…appreciate your company."

Blinking, the older man smiled and patted his head again. "Okay. How about we have a movie marathon? I can get popcorn sent up and order some movies on demand here. You'd get a feel for earth culture and history depending on what we watch. Or just have some fun."

"I…would like that."

Jim smiled again and enjoyed the view with him, wondering how his Spock had felt when he first came. The sun was slowly setting into twilight, a smattering of clouds in the distance looking like whipped vanilla cream. He sighed, wondering when being in this time started to feel normal.

"Alright boys, we're almost ready to go." Jim turned back and gaped once more, which he'd been doing a lot lately. Amanda was dressed in an elegant dark blue gown that glittered softly. A lighter blue sheer shall covering her shoulders down to her elbows. An emerald broach was fastened over her breastbone to hold it together. Her hair, usually kept under a scarf on Vulcan, was free and curled gently around her face.

"Wooooow…" Jim said. Spock turned and his eyes widened as well.

Amanda smiled, fastening an emerald earring to her ear and switching to the other. "You approve?"

"Heck yeah! You look great, Amanda."

She smiled and looked at Spock. "What do you think, Sprocket?"

Spock blushed at the nickname and tried to regain his composure. "You…look lovely, mother."

Amanda smiled happily and walked over to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."

"Hey, I said you looked great too," Jim pouted.

Amanda rolled her eyes, patting his cheek. "Thank you too, Jay."

He pouted further but straightened when Sarek exited the room as well. Jim had to admit, he was quite dashing in dark grey and blue formal Vulcan robes. He could see why Amanda had been attracted to him. I wonder what older Spock would look like in those kinds of clothes… "You look nice too, Sarek."

The Vulcan arched his brow. "My thanks, Jay…T'Fua and Sarrin will be joining us, so the both of you will be alone."

"Don't worry, you can trust me," Jim said seriously.

"Indeed, we know that already," he said. "If you require anything, call the front desk. I ask you use restraint however."

"He means don't go crazy and order tons of junk food, or super expensive things," Amanda clarified. "The embassy may be taking the bill, but we don't want to go insane."

"Understood. We were talking about having a movie marathon though, with popcorn."

Amanda beamed at them. "That sounds lovely. I almost wish we could skip this boring dinner and stay," she said, slyly glancing at her husband. Spock looked at him as well.

"If you enjoy the "perks" of being an Ambassador's wife, we should go lest they revoke my privileges," Sarek said. Jim thought he saw a playful glint in his eyes though when he glanced at his wife and smiled a little.

"Ah, the sacrifices I have to make…" Spock looked down and Jim gently patted his back. Amanda knelt and gave him a hug. "You'll likely be asleep by the time we get back, but in the morning we'll have a nice breakfast together, okay?"

"…Alright."

Sarek paused before gently patting Spock's head, spurring his son. "Go to bed at an appropriate time that you won't be tired."

"…I will father. Have a good time."

Amanda smiled and took Sarek's arm as they headed to the door. "There are emergency numbers by the door along with the room service. I'll have our cell phone with me if you need us. Do try not to stay up too late."

"Will try, no guarantees. It's a boy's night after all. Boys have to be boys."

She chuckled. "As long as you remember one of those boys is seven, no matter how smart he is. Goodnight."

Jim waved as the door was closed. "Okay, I say we order dinner first and a movie, and then popcorn later. Or sundaes."

"Sundae?"

"Yeah. It's like lots of ice cream together with toppings. Hot fudge, caramel, stuff like that."

"…alright."

He smiled and grabbed the menu. "You okay with me having a burger?"

"I do not eat meat, but I won't blame you for eating it. You do not follow our teachings or have our anatomy."

"Alright. What would you like?"

Spock ended up ordering a large salad and a vegetable and fruit plate. Jim sat down as they waited for their food, flipping through the movies on demand to find one they would both enjoy. Spock had seen a few movies in his mother's library of earth classics, but there was century's worth of movies to be seen.

"Do you remember any of these, Jay?" Spock asked curiously.

"Er…vaguely," he lied. "They sound familiar anyway. Oooh, Toy Story! I haven't seen that in years…I think. It's a movie every kid should see."

Spock tilted his head as he read the description. "Sentient children's playthings?"

"Yeah, the thing about a lot of movies, especially kids' movies, is you have to suspend your disbelief a little."

Spock looked at him like he was asking him to stand on his head in the rain whistling "Singing in the rain".

"Look, its true. If you nitpick at everything that is "illogical" in a movie like this, you won't enjoy it. Just…relax and take it for what it is, okay? If you don't like it, we can try another movie later."

"…very well."

Jim smiled and ordered the movie. He couldn't remember the last time he'd watched this movie, or any movie like it. The innocent movies of childhood seemed far away in the future where he was a captain, or a trouble maker depending on who you talked to. When was the last time he tried to enjoy a movie himself?

As the movie started, Spock was obviously trying to keep from pointing out the logical fallacies as they cropped up. Even when their food arrived, he ate silently and watched the toys move about critically. When Buzz came in though, he began paying closer attention. "This one seems delusional…"

Jim chuckled. "That's one of the problems. You'll see."

Spock didn't reply, but became engrossed when Woody pushed Buzz from the dresser. Jim had to smile. It would never, ever have crossed his mind that Spock would enjoy this sort of movie, even as a child, in the future. But a kid was a kid apparently, regardless of where he grew up.

Spock moved a little closer when Sid came on. "This boy is psychologically unbalanced… he shows signs of being a volatile, possibly murderous adult."

Jim had to keep from laughing. "Some kids are mean till they grow out of it. Eventually."

"…I do not believe all can grow out of such cruel mindedness."

Jim frowned but stroked his hair. Jim wondered how often Spock was bullied, and if it was still going on.

Spock continued to stick close till the movie wrapped up, a content look coming over his face at the end. "That was…enjoyable."

Jim smiled and ruffled his hair. "Glad you liked it. Why don't you look through and choose the next one, and I'll order some dessert. Sundaes and popcorn for later."

"We shouldn't eat too much or we will have difficulty sleeping. As well as it being bad for our health."

Jim chuckled. "It'll be fine. If we don't finish the popcorn I'll eat it tomorrow. I for one like day old popcorn, it's chewy." He laughed out right at the look of disgust and confusion warring to come out on Spock's face, ordering up a couple of sundaes.

Coming back, Jim sat down. "So, decide on a movie?"

"Yes." Jim looked up and felt a small amount of ironic amusement come up as the titles for said movie started. "A documentary?"

"An old one on marine life. I wished to learn more before we went to the beach or aquarium."

Jim smiled and patted his head. He'd suffer the small amount of boredom for this kid and watch the documentary on ocean life.

When their sundaes and popcorn came, he set them down. "I got them with both chocolate and caramel sauce since I wasn't sure which you would like," Jim said. "And I kept them small, so no worries on it being too much."

"I've never had chocolate…" Spock said, more to himself than Jim. He picked up the sundae and took the spoon, scooping a small bit of the vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. He hesitated, looking nervous for some reason, before putting the bite in his mouth. Jim watched and smiled at the look of contentment that came over his face. "Good?"

"Yes…very." He began eating it faster and Jim chuckled, eating his own as he turned back to watch a pod of now extinct whales swim on screen. When he next turned to Spock, he almost dropped his bowl. "S-Spock?"

The boy was licking his ice cream bowl, holding it up to his face like a normal seven year old instead of a stoic genius too mature to do such things. Pulling it back, he had ice cream and sweet sauces all over his face. His eyes were a little glazed and there was a flush to his cheeks. "I like…chocolate."

"I can see that," Jim said slowly, setting his bowl down. "Uh, you got something…everywhere," he said, grabbing a nearby napkin. He almost dropped hat as well when the boys tongue poked out to try and swipe it away. "Spock, let me…" He wiped his face, looking increasingly worried when he whined softly. "Spock, is something wrong?"

"Nope."

Nope? Spock would never say that, kid or adult. Oh hell… "Spock, seriously…"

The boy looked up and Jim was dumbfounded when he actually smiled at him, looking carefree. "I like you too, Jay." Small arms went around him and Jim's mind halted for a moment as it tried to process these events.

When it caught up, he gently tried to remove himself from Spock's grip. "Okay, Spock, I think I need to call this in real quick cause something has gone wrong here…"

Spock grunted and tightened his grip, actually forcing some air out of the older man with his strength. "Not wrong…"

"Oh boy…" Jim gently pried him off after a little coaxing, standing and rushing to the phone. "Please don't kill me, please don't kill me…" he muttered, punching in Amanda's cell number.

"Hello?"

"Amanda?"

"Jay? Is something wrong?" she asked, trying not to sound worried.

"Uh…maybe…yes. I don't know what happened, I just-Spock is acting weird," he confessed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know what happened, we were just watching this old documentary on marine life and Toy Story before that, and we ordered food and now he's being clingy and emotional and he smiled-"

"Jay, slow down! He smiled? What happened exactly?"

"Okay…I ordered dinner, a burger for me and a salad for him, and we watched Toy Story. Then I ordered popcorn and sundaes with chocolate and caramel for dessert and he-"

"Chocolate?" Amanda gasped before suddenly laughing.

"Amanda? What's so funny? I'm freaking out here, did I poison him? Is he okay?"

"H-he's fine, Jay," she gasped between fits of giggles. "I didn't realize you didn't know. Chocolate is like alcohol to Vulcans. Apparently Spock is susceptible as well."

"Chocolate is like…wait, so…I got a seven year old drunk?" Jim nearly yelled, pulling at his hair. "Oh God!"

"It's okay. It doesn't hurt much of his body like alcohol does to humans, it just makes them…loopy," she giggled. "And he might have a stomach ache or headache later. He doesn't remember, but he drank a cup of hot chocolate I made once when he was about four. It was quite adorable really, he wore the cup on his head like a hat and had this chocolate mustache like some kind of villainous mastermind."

"…Do you have pictures?" Hello blackmail material.

"Yes, but that can be for later. For now, please refrain from getting my son any more plastered, alright? I'll let you off this time because we forgot to tell you and likely he's being cute again."

"Well, yeah…he is. And okay, just as long- Gah!" He jumped, looking down to see Spock hugging his side. He had fresh chocolate around his face and Jim cringed to realize he'd left the remains of his sundae with him.

"Jay?"

"Uh…he's hugging me."

"Aww, I wish I was there," she whined.

"Same here, he's got a grip like a vice!"

Amanda chuckled. "Just take good care of him, it should wear off soon and then he'll just be sleepy. I need to get back to the others though or they'll wonder why I'm away so long. I'll see you when we get home, and I won't tell Sarek about this. He wouldn't be angry, just…huffy."

"Thanks. Don't worry. I now know no more chocolate." He had to smile at the pouty whine from his hip.

"Alright. See you later Jay."

"See you."

"Goodnight, mama!" Spock called loud enough to be heard through the receiver.

Jim had to grin at that and the happy sigh on the other end before they hanged up. He looked down at the little barnacle attached to his side. "You could've told me chocolate makes Vulcans…loopy," he said, quoting Amanda.

"I wasn't sure if it would do that to me," Spock said, blinking owlishly up at him. "It was for the sake of science…and it tasted good."

Jim sighed and ruffled his hair. "Of course…why don't we finish that documentary?"

"Okay…can we order more chocolate?"

"No, I'm not encouraging you to be a chocoholic," he said, pushing him gently back to the couch. Sitting, he was more than a little surprised when Spock climbed up and sat in his lap. Kay, this is an 8 on the weird scale, he thought. He had to smile though as the little Vulcan relaxed back against him, fumbling with the remote slightly to rewind the movie to where he left off when he went to him. As the movie wore on, Spock yawned more and more, rubbing his eyes as it finally wrapped up.

"Okay," Jim said quietly. "I think now is the time to go to bed."

Spock whined again. "No."

"Yes."

"…" He threw his arms around Jim, holding on tight. Jim tensed, not used to a child holding him like a security blanket, but slowly relaxed and started rubbing his back.

"C'mon. Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

"Benjamin Franklin," Spock muttered. Jim chuckled.

"You know your dead presidents."

"He wasn't a president."

"My mistake. But seriously, time for bed." When he wouldn't let go still Jim sighed but wrapped his arms around him back and rose, holding him close as he headed for the room Spock would be sleeping in.

"…I really do like you, Jay."

Jim paused, momentarily lost by the soft, innocent way those words were spoken. He'd never been around children much, never wanted to be. But he felt his heart clench a little at those words, giving the little body in his arms a squeeze. "…I like you too, Spock. I'm really glad it was your family I stayed with."

"No one else wanted you," he said honestly, no malice behind it.

Jim chuckled. "We'll work on compliments later." He walked into the room and sat on the bed. "C'mon and go to bed. I'll stay here with you till you fall asleep."

Spock pulled back, looking him in the eyes. "You will?"

"Yep. Promise."

"…Alright." Letting go, he let Jim help him under the covers, looking ready to nod off any minute. His face was flushed green as well, like he had a fever. Jim pulled a chair over and sat next to him, getting comfortable just in case. "What do you think your parents were like?"

Jim looked at him, the question catching him off guard. "…I'm not sure. I don't remember my father," he said honestly. "And my mother…I don't remember her very well." An image of a woman packing up to go away came to him, Jim standing on the porch of their old home in Iowa as she did. "I think she loved me…but had trouble looking at me sometimes."

"Why?"

Jim snapped back to reality and smiled, stroking back Spock's hair. "I…don't' know."

"…If you can't find your family, you can stay with us," Spock said.

Jim smiled sadly but kept stroking his hair. "I'd like that…if I could."

Spock's eyes slowly began to drift close, curled up on his side. Jim sighed, relaxing back. It'd be nice…