5 + 1 Pet Story, Part 3
Title: Five Times Spock did not want a pet, and one that he did, Part 3 of 6
Author: goldvermilion87
Rating: PG
Fandom: Star Trek, TOS
Character(s): Spock, Kirk
Summary: Fairly self-explanatory
Warnings: None
Word Count: 729
Three
A lovely animal, captain. I find myself strangely drawn to it.
-Spock "Assignment Earth"
"So, this is goodbye, then."
"Yes, Captain."
"Spock, we've just finished eating dinner together in my apartment. I'm on shore leave, and you're not even in Starfleet any more. And I…you say I may never see you again. Couldn't you call me Jim?"
But that was why he had said "Captain." Because to say "Jim" was to admit the very closeness that he was trying to escape. Jim represented all those emotional attachments that were compromising his pursuit of knowledge and logic. The captain, though…the captain represented discipline and order-aspects of his Starfleet career that he could be proud of as a Vulcan. Still…
"Yes, Jim. This is goodbye."
"Well, then…" They were standing awkwardly in the entrance hall to Jim's-the captain's-apartment. "Well…if it is goodbye forever, I don't like the idea of you going off with nothing to remember us by. You and I have served together for five years. Maybe that isn't as long for a Vulcan as it is for a human, but still…well…anyway…I have a few things for you. First these." Jim…Captain Kirk fumbled around in his pocket and brought out two chess pieces-a black pawn and a white pawn. "I know you have your own chess set, but I stole these from one of the rec rooms on the Enterprise." He chuckled a little at Spock's expression. "Don't worry. I took pawns because I knew there were some extras around, so people can still play. But I wanted you to have them to remember the ship, and the games we played…and I know Vulcans aren't sentimental, but your human half will appreciate them, Spock, right?"
No, it will not. I will not allow myself to appreciate it. "Of course, Jim. I am gratified that you would think to give them to me."
"The other thing. Well…it's not exactly a thing, and you can say 'no' and I won't be offended. I saw it, and I thought of you, and I got it, but I know this could be a terrible gift. One minute, Spock."
The captain came back with a tiny bundle of fur in his hands.
"You really liked that cat we came across once-remember, when we went back in time to the NASA shuttle launch?-and I thought a cat might be well suited to Vulcan's climate. I saw this kitten in a pet shop. It would be like having a little bit of Earth there. Your mother would like it too, I bet. My mother always said giving animals was rude, but…"
Spock took the tiny black creature in his hand as Jim's rambling trailed off, and he touched its head. But he stopped himself from actually stroking it. He would not be drawn in. On the other hand, when he saw the nervously hopeful look in Jim's eyes, he couldn't say "no."
"Thank you, Jim. It is a thoughtful gift."
"Oh, good. I'm glad you want to keep it. I got a little traveling cage and all the stuff you'll need so you wouldn't have to get it anything until you're settled on Vulcan. One more minute. I'll get it, too. He jogged back to his bedroom and reappeared with a small crate, and a canvas bag filled with cat supplies.
"Well, that's all I guess, Spock."
"Yes, Captain." Spock raised his hand in the Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper."
"Jim, Spock, Jim. You, too. Live long and prosper, Spock. Goodbye."
As he stood in the doorway, the crate in one hand, and the bag of cat supplies in the other, he turned. "Goodbye, Jim." And then he walked quickly away.
He could not keep the kitten. It would be useless, if not detrimental, to him as he sought to achieve kolinahr. It would be illogical to keep a pet that must eat meat to survive in a vegetarian society, and there was no reason to put it through the stress of a journey out of its own planet. He would give it to someone in his mother's family. He was going to take leave of them before he left for Vulcan, and he was sure that someone would know what to do with the little creature. The chess pieces, though…surely it would be illogical to throw them away.