Thanks to everyone who read and to FrankieHS for reviewing.
Technically this is the other half of the last chapter, but the breaks didn't work quite right so posting it separately.
"Hey, Spock, how's Uhura?" Jim asked, his question overlapping Leonard's "Mornin', you want any eggs?" when Spock entered the kitchen, having bid Nyota a satisfactory evening three point two minutes before.
"Good morning. Nyota is well and sends her regards, and I do not desire eggs but thank you for the consideration."
Both men nodded in return, and he synthesized a plate of fruit and joined Jim at the table. "Cooking is acceptable?" If he'd been invited to a Vulcan home courtesy would have dictated that he prepare at least one meal, but he was aware that humans did not share that custom, and he had not seen Jim make use of any kitchen appliances beyond the synthesizer.
"If you want to, you're more than welcome," Jim said. "Bones does, obviously, but I'm…."
"Kid burns water," Leonard said from the stove.
"I'm not that bad."
"I would assume not, as to burn pure water is a physical impossibility."
Leonard scoffed. "Oh, yeah? Let me just remind you again about the Great Fire of 2256."
Spock could recall no event, significant or otherwise, that could be identified by that name, but Jim just rolled his eyes.
"One pan boiled dry, and he refuses to let it go."
A rough scrape from the stove, and Leonard turned around to jab his spatula at Jim. "You fell asleep on the couch, and there was smoke and flame and they had to evacuate our entire dorm at three in the damn morning. My entire dorm, rather, since you weren't even supposed to be there. And then I had to be up and prepped for a piloting qual at 0800."
"Which you passed, so what's the problem?"
"Fire is generally a problem, genius, although in this case I'll also point out that you're the ass who hacked my schedule and signed me up for that course in the first place, because we both know I wouldn't have done it for all the ice on Delta Vega." He turned back to the stove with a shake. "Man's not meant to be buzzing around the universe in a glorified tin can, I'll tell you that right now."
"You have, in fact, related that sentiment in approximately 119 different ways over the course of the past year," Spock pointed out, declining to question why the doctor would desire ice in the quantities that Delta Vega supplied.
This time when Leonard twisted, the spatula was jabbed at him. "And I've been right every damn time!"
As he had also shown no indication of changing his opinion on any of the other 119 instances, Spock decided that there was nothing to be gained in pursuing that subject either. "Additionally, while student dorms are fitted with preservers for a limited quantity snacks and drinks, cadets are specifically forbidden from installing any heating device which may exceed 85 degrees in order to avoid the situation which you have just described," he said instead.
"Oh really? Are they?" Another scoff as Leonard returned his attention to the stove, but within three seconds he reached up and opened a cabinet to reveal a stack of plates. "Are you sure you don't want any? I didn't double back to the store on my way over so they're all replicated, no actual animal matter to worry about."
"I am certain. I am also, however, concerned that you were unaware of such a clearly-stated regulation. Page thirteen of the Academy handbook—"
"Spock, he's kidding," Jim interrupted. "Everyone knows that rule, and everyone ignores it. Especially since you can't even make a decent cup of coffee at that temperature." He looked back at Leonard. "And I told them it was me and took the licks for it, so you're just being ridiculous at this point."
"Again, fire. In my room."
In this instance Leonard's response was, unusually, the more logical, even if Spock wasn't entirely familiar with all of the vernacular involved, but he couldn't help but point out the more obvious flaw in Jim's assertion. "Captain, I assure you that I at no point failed to adhere to any regulation regarding appropriate conduct during my tenure as a cadet."
"Right, sorry. Obviously you wouldn't have ignored something like that, even if I have a very hard time believing 85 degrees is any better for tea than coffee. It's just everyone else on campus who did. Does."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "Statistically improbable."
Leonard shut off the stove and came to the table with two plates, setting one in front of Jim and the other in front of the chair that he took. "Please tell me that you didn't have any roommates at the Academy. Or that if you did, that they were also Vulcan."
"I did not. Telepaths are automatically granted priority for single rooms whenever available."
"Well, hallelujah. And I say that for the sake of your would-have-been roommates."
Spock hesitated. "It was not my intention to fall asleep in the main room, and I apologize if I disturbed your sleep."
"Huh?" Jim shook his head and then knocked a fist against Spock's arm lightly. "You're fine, he's just being obnoxious."
"More like I'm debating the joys of a roommate who couldn't follow any rules—and more to the point was a pain in the ass who wasn't even supposed to be my roommate in the first place—versus someone who followed all the rules. Headaches across the board, the both of you."
"Come on, I didn't break every rule. Spock, back me up here."
"I can confirm that you wore your uniform appropriately on the day of your hearing. Beyond that I do not have sufficient information to speculate."
"Okay, that's just unkind."
Leonard snickered. "You know, if it wasn't for the lack of coffee, I think I'd take the space elf."
"Hey!"
"While I recognize that this conversation is entirely theoretical given both our disparate years of service and the fact that the time in question is well past, I will also state that I had not previously considered this advantage in my refusal to consume unnecessary stimulants."
This time Leonard was the one who objected, while Jim broke down laughing.
It didn't take long for the three of them to finish eating and do a quick clean of the kitchen, and then they all ended up settling back in in the main room. Spock still desired to complete an initial draft of his journal submission, and if Leonard's only partially coherent mutters were at all indicative he was also working on some form of scientific paper, while Jim was sprawled out on the floor engrossed in his choice of reading material.
Spock had met his self-assigned deadline and was attempting to reword his abstract in a more satisfactory manner when a clatter from the direction of the couch got his attention, and he looked up to find the doctor pushing himself to his feet.
"All right, I've got to move around some or my back is never going to forgive me. I'm going to go down to the quarry for a few laps. Be back around lunchtime."
"You want some company?" Jim asked. "I can't say I feel much like laps, but I wouldn't mind splashing around a little. And if Spock will come down with us, you can help me try to pull him in."
"I strongly advise against such an attempt, although I am amenable to accompanying you to the quarry itself. Given the recent weather, it would be wise to take advantage of the sunlight available."
"Can't argue with that," Leonard agreed. "And since I don't hold with dragging people into the water who don't want to be there," he shot a glare at Jim, who looked distinctly unrepentant, "I'm happy to leave you on the bank."
They ended up walking to the quarry rather than running, which Spock found entirely acceptable, and he settled himself comfortably on the ledge above the water while Jim and Leonard left their outer gear beside him and dove in. It was unlikely that the rain last night had improved the temperature of the water, but neither of them seemed particularly concerned. And since immersion didn't seem to leave either of them in distress….
He pulled his PADD out of his pocket and sat down on the edge of the quarry where he could both continue his work and provide appropriate supervision, regardless of how unnecessary they would both insist that it was.
Leonard had apparently been speaking of laps quite literally, passing between this side and the alternate while Jim mostly just floated around and occasionally climbed partially up the bank only to leap back in. Well, and attempted to interfere with the doctor's laps when they crossed paths, but Leonard alternately went around him or shoved him under the surface so Spock inferred that his interference was both assumed and not of particular concern.
Upon completion of his first full revision, Spock took a short break to review the star charts he had begun looking at the first day they'd arrived, but he was interrupted by the revving of an old-style motor behind him. While this was clearly a public location and it would be inappropriate to object to the presence of others, he found their arrival needlessly disruptive. And his impression was not improved when he recognized the two men who had failed to assist him with the roof repairs as well as the one who'd accosted him in the bar he'd visited upon his immediate arrival.
Given the presence of the last he was not inclined to remain with his back to them, and he shifted himself far enough away from the edge that he would be in no danger in a confrontation but not so far that he could not continue to ensure the safety of his companions. It was possible, of course, that they would ignore him, but he judged it unlikely.
It was unsatisfactory, if not unexpected, that the three of them approached him, and he tucked his PADD away and stood smoothly.
"I recognize you," Patts said.
Spock remained silent.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" the man from the bar—Kyle per Jim's identification, although Spock realized in retrospect that he had failed to provide a surname—demanded.
Spock raised an eyebrow. "He has stated a premise with which I have no dispute. Please clarify what response you believe is required."
Kyle blinked and made no attempt to supply anything of the sort as Patts spoke again.
"Well, don't you recognize us?"
"Obviously."