Slow Way Home
Chapter 8

[Day 14 of 45]

Jim felt Spock's nerves through the bond as they prepared to speak with the twins. He hadn't met them yet and she knew he was anxious about how they would react to meeting him. They'd never had a father. Sure, there had been male role models – Bones, Pike, Rotek. But never a father. Pike was like a doting grandfather to the pair. Bones was both the eternally annoyed yet helpful uncle. Rotek was a teacher. She didn't count Pavel because he was just a boy himself and more like a either young uncle or big brother.

But Spock was nervous. He was their father – a father who had no idea what he was in for with the twins.

"Spock, everything will be fine," she told her husband who looked at her warily while she moved to stand behind him, rubbing his arms comfortingly.

"Fine is not…" he began and she rolled her eyes wondering if he needed a new phrase because that would get real old, real fast.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Spock, they are just kids – brilliant children. They will love you," She told her husband who nodded gently. She placed a kiss on his neck before moving to his side, then dialing the number the twins were staying at. Their teacher was standing there looking frazzled.

"Providence, Mandy, Joanna – stop beating up that older boy," the teacher called.

"But he was teasing…" Mandy's voice said, ringing like a bell.

"I don't care. Sorry about… oh, Hi Jim," the woman said and Jim smiled as she felt Spock tense. "Oh, this must be… him." She nodded. Then the woman turned. "Mandy, George, your mom and dad are on the Comm for you." Through the bond she felt Spock's heart skip a beat at being referred to as 'Dad'. 'It will be alright.' She told him through the bond before a happy Mandy bounced before the screen.

"Daddy? Mommy, when are you coming home?" Mandy bounced as she asked. Her long hair was in two messy pigtails she'd probably attempted to do herself. If Jim couldn't do her hair – or Gaila – then she refused to let anybody do her hair.

"How much sugar have you had?" Jim asked, avoiding the question.

"One of the women at the school brought in four types of ice creams for the students. She had three chocolate scoops before the end of the school day," Jory said, appearing, his hair as perfect as always, not a piece out of place. Her little perfectionist. Spock tensed at the word chocolate. "I had vanilla as the others all had some chocolate in it." He looked down, and she saw a shiver. His hands also flinched.

"I take it you two do not have the same reaction to chocolate that I and other Vulcans have?" he asked.

"Mandy does not… but I do," Jory said, a light green tint on his cheeks and ears. His hands rubbed together like he did when he was feeling guilty.

"Jory… that was an accident. I shouldn't have left my ice cream out," Jim said automatically and Spock tensed.

"Mother… I injured you that…" he began and she shook her head.

"Jory… you can't feel guilty forever over something that wasn't permanent. And if I remember you were sick all the next day, so it was no big deal," she said softly and he looked down. His eyes wanted to cry but he wouldn't let them.

"His emotions have been closer to the surface the last few weeks since the attack on earth," Mandy said and Jim nodded her head.

"Okay," Jim told her babies.

"Dad?" Mandy began and Jim looked to see Spock.

"Yes, Amanda," Spock responded.

"You hurt mommy again, I never speaking to you," Mandy warned in the meanest tone a four-year-old could muster. Spock seemed confused. "Mommy used to be sad… but she look happy…"

"I promise I will never intentionally inflict pain on your mother or the two of you – be it physical or emotional," Spock said and Mandy nodded. The conversation turned to school, friends, Jory blushing when Joanna came over, needing a translation which Jory gave her.

It was soon time for them to hang up and they said goodbye. Once the screen was black Jim leaned against Spock who wrapped his arms around her. She smelt the scent she knew as Spock. Things weren't perfect but it felt better – right.

"They are… spirited," he said and she chuckled.

"Mandy especially. Though Jory has his moments… especially when Joanna is involved. Like you with me," She said, running her fingers along his hands. She knew he was distracted – his mind noticing her touches while trying to concentrate on their conversation. "I'm pretty sure Jory and Joanna McCoy experienced Shan'hal'lak when they met each other." He tensed.

"I know… Dr. McCoy mentioned something about them being close… but are you sure?" he asked and she nodded.

"Yeah. Those two are inseparable," she said before shifting. His fingers laced in hers and he raised her hand so he could press a kiss into it the human way.

"I Believe that it would be the best course of action if we got some rest before our shift starts," Spock said, though she could his arousal and she turned to kiss him, moving to straddle him. "I must insist. You have not been cleared medically…"

"Spoil sport," she muttered, really wanting to have sex. Instead, they went and laid down and she quickly fell to sleep.