Fic: As Morning Shows the Day, [Part 23]

[jade_dragoness]

Title: As Morning Shows the Day [Part 23]
Author: J.D. aka jade_dragoness
Rating: PG-13, for language.
Pairing: K/S pre-slash/friendship
Status: WIP
Spoilers: Star Trek XI
Warning: Dangerous & Near Fatal Levels of Cuteness
Summary: Based on the switched version of the prompt: A de-aged fic where Spock has to take care of a kid-Kirk; preferably Kirk only listens to Spock, and freaks out when he's not around. (Or, you know, switched). Written for the st_xi_kink meme, found here.
Word Count: 3,565 for this part [total so far: 118,233]
Disclaimer: Never ever will be mine. *sadness*
A/N: I had planned on having this ready about a week ago and failed to meet that goal. Darn it RL! As always, feedback is hugely welcomed. Also, please feel free to point out any errors I missed.
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[“The childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day” - John Milton ]
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[Part One], [Part Two], [Part Three], [Part Four], [Part Five], [Part Six], [Part Seven], [Part Eight], [Part Nine], [Part Ten], [Part Eleven], [Part Twelve], [Part Thirteen], [Part Fourteen], [Part Fifteen], [Part Sixteen], [Part Seventeen], [Part Eighteen], [Part Nineteen], [Part Twenty], [Part Twenty-One], [Part Twenty-Two]

Jim entered his own quarters stretching his arms above his head and yawning wide enough to feel his jaw give a slight pop.

He blinked away bleary tears of tiredness as the lights came on in his room. Then Jim walked over to the com-unit and checked on Spock’s location for who knew how many times this night. He‘d honestly lost count. After the long hours of Jim’s shift the boy had moved from the Science Department down to where the Engineering Department had settled the aging machine.

Jim was pretty certain that meant Spock would still be there for at the very least a couple more hours. He then noticed the icon signaling the arrival of personal messages was blinking. Jim opened his inbox and the first one was from Admiral Pike. It was a respond to the letter Jim had sent him the other day. Curious about Pike’s reaction, Jim opened the link to a vid.

“Hello, Jim,” said Pike, the smile on his face was wider than Jim was used to seeing on the admiral. Jim couldn’t help but grin back even knowing this was a recording. Pike had a preference for visual messages over the older style of text only that Jim liked. Jim had to admit that at times like these that the video messages were superior. He wouldn’t have missed that smile for anything.

“When Spock finds out you‘ve been taking pictures of him as a little kid and then spreading them around the Federation without his permission, you‘ll be in for a world of hurt,” continued Pike, his eyes bright and twinkling with amusement.

“Yeah, I know,” admitted Jim, aloud.

“And haven‘t I told you that if you want to pull on his pigtails that the last thing you should do is embarrass the man?”

Jim made a loud noise of protest. “I‘m not pulling anyone‘s pigtails!”

“And before you try to tell me that‘s not what you‘re doing, need I remind you of how you were acting towards him those first two months he was your first officer? Before you learned to tone it down?” said Pike, his voice thick with laughter. Jim crossed his arms and sulked at the screen where Pike’s grin actually grew wider and wider.

“Oh, shut up,” grumbled Jim.

“Not that I‘m not happy with the pictures because if you have more then pass them on!” continued Pike. “I just wanted to tell that I’m already going to call it justifiable homicide when Spock kills you.”

“Hey!” said Jim, indignantly. “Well, now I know who‘s the favorite.”

“And on more serious news-”

“My oncoming death isn‘t serious?” protested Jim.

“-it‘s good that you got an officer taking over Spock‘s Science Department. You also need to think about finding a substitute for his position as first officer, especially into the situation you‘re going into. And also-”

Jim groaned and paused the vid. He’d been so certain that Spock would be back on his feet - as a fully grown Vulcan - that he hadn’t covered that position. Pretty much just about any officer who was Bridge Crew could fulfill the position of First Officer. Anyone who could take control of the conn was also a command officer.

But Pike was right, he needed to clarify who would be taking over as acting Captain should he be taken out of action. That was a bit more important.

Out of everyone on the ship, Scotty had the most seniority and the only reason that Jim was reluctant to appoint him was that his attention was needed on the engines and keeping the ship going. That and Scotty had the tendency to want to explode everything in sight if given half the chance.

Jim decided that he’d get Uhura to cover the position of first officer. Sulu was needed at the helm. And Chekov - well, Jim didn’t have any protest against his youth - considering how he was the captain of a starship at his own relatively young age. Jim wasn’t about to throw stones about that.

No, it was just that Chekov’s skills would be better suited running the tactical station should the ship end up in a fight. The teen had an uncanny ability at targeting that made him the best one to man the phasers. Not that many people could shoot out oncoming photon torpedoes with phasers even with the computer providing assistance. Chekov didn’t even need the computer. He calculated all the vectors and velocities in his head. And he didn’t miss. The fact that the ship was still under Jim’s feet was proof of that extraordinary skill.

And Bones… no. Just no. Jim trusted Bones like crazy that didn’t mean that he wanted Bones in charge during a tactical situation when he wasn‘t being CMO. Bones was best in the medical bay.

Ultimately, Uhura was the best choice. Uhura’s natural poise under pressure would be perfect to take over the ship should something happen to him. She didn’t panic, she knew the bridge crew’s strengths and weaknesses, and she had become a lot more willing to take risks in the last few months that they had been working together.

The only thing that Uhura would protest about the temporary position would be being kept away from her precious communication station. It was her first true love. And while she was more than capable of being temporary captain, it wasn’t a task she was that interested in. At least not at the moment. Although Jim could fully see her sitting in her own chair on her own ship in a decade’s time. He just hoped that Uhura would one day agree. She would an amazing captain.

So, Jim made up his mind and sent along the order to designate Uhura as temporary First Officer. And then continued playing Pike’s message.

“- Jim, just to warn you, since you were the one that pointed out the corruption of Commander Fox, and sparked off the investigation, Starfleet is getting quite a bit of political fallout from the destruction of Space Base 23. And Fox‘s family is already protesting that he had nothing to do with it. His uncle, Ambassador Fox has a lot of friends, including a couple in the Presidential residence,” said Pike, somberly.

Jim winced.

“And there has been more than one search that’s been run through your previous records before joining Starfleet. Especially your criminal record or should I say records,” said Pike, dryly.

“Damn it,” groaned Jim. He rubbed his eyes and felt the weight of his exhaustion slamming back into him.

“So far your name is still good in the media and the public at large,” said Pike. “But it can‘t last forever against a really determined campaign. You know how fickle the media can be. One day you’re the hero and the next you‘re the villain. The fact that you and your crew saved all of Earth and probably a lot of the Federation six months ago is helping a lot.”

Jim scowled

“If Intelligence can get their hands on Commander Fox or even more solid evidence of his guilt then we should be able to silence the Fox family with that proof,” said Pike. “But I wanted you know, so you aren‘t taken by surprise. And because of this nonsense, once this entire mess had been settled we‘ll probably have the Enterprise stay away from Earth for a few months.”

“Great, just great,” sighed Jim. Bones would be crushed. He was hoping to go see his little girl when the ship was due to go back to Earth in a month and a half.

“Maybe we’ll be lucky and won’t have to do that to you and your crew. I know it‘s not the best situation but that‘s politics for you,” said Pike, with a sigh. “I‘ll pass along more news about the situation as it develops. And Jim, when Spock is back to normal, have him give you a run through on how to handle this,” said Pike. “The man has an instinct for politics that only comes from growing up in it.” He paused, and a smile twitched at his lips. “Although I wouldn‘t put it past him to still be good at getting people to do what he wants even when he‘s a kid.”

“I know,” groaned Jim. “He uses those eyes like they’re weapons.”

“Keep me updated, Jim,” continued Pike. “And I‘m serious about getting more pictures, I‘ll need that evidence for Spock‘s defense at the court-martial.”

Jim shook his head and grinned as the vid finished and screen went black. The symbol asking for a reply flashed and Jim passed it by. Instead, he opened up the next personal message in the inbox. Jim straightened as the saw the message was from Spock; the much older Spock that was currently living on the Vulcan colony.

“Jim,” said Spock, the lines around his mouth growing deeper with a faint smile.

Jim couldn’t resist the wide grin that sprang on his lips. He really liked hearing from the old man.

“As always it is good to hear from you, old friend,” continued Spock, his voice gravelly age and deep affection.

That tone made Jim swallow at the thickness gathering in his throat. It always affected him like this. Ever since the mind-meld between them, when Jim had been hit by older Spock’s emotions and memories, then he had only just begun to understand the depth of the history that had existed between this Spock and that Jim in that alternate timeline that would never exist in this one. Just knowing that he - now him - still received that level of trust, respect and admiration made Jim wish to be worthy of it. Some version of him had once been able to win those emotions from Spock, and he wanted to be able to keep them.

It was also one of the most intimidating things he’d ever faced in his life.

Even Bones had found it so. After the first time they’d met, Bones had been so thoroughly shaken by the old man’s affectionate regard that afterwards he and Jim had stopped by a bar to get drunk. And at least Bones hadn’t started out his relationship with young Spock thinking that Spock hated his guts like Jim had. They’d also had one of the most somber discussions ever - an alternate life was a big topic to cover - even though with all the drinks they’d consumed they hadn‘t exactly been sober.

“As always, the colony’s growth maintains a steady pace. Three new buildings have been completed and four more are halfway in construction. The carving of a new Katric Ark temple has begun now that the main sleeping quarters for all Vulcans and off-world guests are also completed. Though there have been some protests from traditionalists over ease of access as well as the design,” here Spock’s voice was dry.

Jim grinned. He could tell that Spock didn’t approve of their attitude.

“Their resistance to change to accommodate the planet’s higher rainfall is quite illogical,” continued Spock.

Pretty much he wishes he didn’t have to be the respectable elder to he can thump some ‘logical’ sense into them, Jim mentally translated. Then he snickered because he’d pay a stack of credits to see this older Spock berating a bunch of illogical Vulcans. Hell, any version of Spock would be good.

“In reference to your description as to my young self as ‘adorable’,” said Spock. “I‘m sure you are mistaken.”

Jim snickered. “Oh, no, I‘m not. The entire ship agrees with me.” Jim would make sure to send along pictures this time when he wrote back. Pictorial evidence was hard to argue against. Especially when said evidence was shown cuddling a tribble.

“I would be most appreciative if you could also send along the readings on the Cub Sphere, I have never encountered such a device before. I would be most interested in studying all information on this crystal technology.”

Once a science officer, always a science officer, Jim thought, with a smile.

“And regarding your question as to how I dealt with being the first human-Vulcan hybrid, I‘m afraid the answer is ‘not very well’,” said Spock, calmly.

Jim went still and the smile dropped from his face at Spock’s much more serious voice.

“I was never able to gain acceptance from my peers during my youth. This caused me to react by becoming more emotionally distant,” said Spock. “Once, in my youth I even considered our friendship a cause for shame.”

Jim startled so hard he nearly fell off the chair.

“Such emotions should have been under my control as a Vulcan and I considered my lack of resistance to your other self‘s friendship to be sign of my lack of Vulcan purity. I had believed that my humanity was a weakness and should be suppressed at all costs,” said Spock, wryly. “It took several years but I did get over this erroneous assumption.”

“Huh,” said Jim, surprised. He would never have guessed that this Spock had ever thought along such lines.

“But Jim, you do have to consider that there are subtle differences between myself and the Spock who is your first officer. I do believe that he feels differently than I did at his age. He was vastly more protective of how his mother was perceived by Vulcan society, than I had been at his age.”

Jim was startled again.

“In the past few months, Sarek and I have discussed my younger self’s youth as a comparison to my own to discover any divergence. The most significant differences were that I never was involved a physical altercation with my fellow Vulcan students, and T‘Pring didn‘t die in her youth.”

“I hypothesize,” continued Spock, “that these changes produced a Spock who is more willing to protect his humanity than to try to suppress it to nothingness like I attempted to do so.”

“So, you‘re saying that he‘s more in touch with his emotions?” asked Jim, out loud. “That‘s- that‘s kind of hard to believe.” He eyed the video with disbelief. “Exactly how bad were you with emotions?” His vivid imagination tried to picture it and failed spectacularly.

“There is a lot of anger in my younger self,” said Spock. “Even without initiating touch telepathy I could sense it beneath his mental shields.”

“Oh, now that I can believe,” breathed Jim, remembering how badly Spock had snapped when Jim had deliberately pushed him to show his state of emotional compromise. Of course, now Jim knew where all that anger came from. It came from growing up in society that considered one of the people you loved in the entire universe as being less valuable, as being weak.

It made Jim wonder if this attitude was one of the reasons that Spock had to join Starfleet. If felt true to his instincts.

Before Spock had joined there had never been a Vulcan commissioned Starfleet officer. Though there had been Vulcans assigned to Federation starships. They had still been members of the Vulcan Science Council. Considering how utterly brilliant Spock was, Jim certainly didn’t think it was because he wasn’t able to get accepted if he‘d applied to join them.

Knowing this made Jim feel like he was that much closer to understanding the whole that made up Spock. Not that he had any illusions about completely getting everything that made up his first officer.

“Jim, the only advice I can give you regarding my now very young self is to be patient,” said Spock, throwing Jim out of his thoughts. “And to not let him live under the assumption that humans are inferior to Vulcans.”

“Oh, you bet, I‘m not doing that,” said Jim, instantly. Then he gave the vid-Spock as exasperated look. “But that doesn‘t really help me in dealing with Spock‘s crush!”

“And in answer to one of your questions, you have been in contact with Sarek fairly recently so you are well aware of his health,” said Spock, with a twitch of an eyebrow. “You have been lax in keeping me updated on the state of your health. A deep puncture to the liver is a grave injury.”

“How did you know?” Jim asked the screen in surprise, and then he scowled as he realized who would be the only other person on the ship who would tattle on him. “Bones told you.”

“I will not lecture you about keeping yourself safe, Jim,” continued Spock.

“Oh, thank God,” said Jim, with a glance up at the ceiling.

“-as I am sure that you have already received them from my young self.”

“Twice,” grumbled Jim.

“But I would ask you to consider that I would not like to be informed about your demise,” said Spock, his deep voice softer now. “I live content with the knowledge that for once you will outlive me.”

Jim swallowed down hard.

“I would much rather that occurred than the alternative,” said Spock, softly. “It would be most satisfactory.”

Jim hit the pause on the vid with a quickly flashed out hand. The other he had covering his face. He had to just breathe for moment before he was able to look up back at the frozen image of Spock’s older lined face. It said a great deal about how well this version of Spock knew him that those words hit him harder than any lecture from his first officer or yelling from Bones had managed to do.

It was the old grief in this Spock’s eyes, a grief at losing his version of Jim, and the well of pain at the idea of doing it again that hit Jim like he’d been punched.

It made it hard to breathe.

It made Jim wish he’d gotten that lecture instead.

He’d never really thought about how people would deal with his death. Sure, he was fully aware that they would grieve. Bones especially would be hit hard. But had he really thought about how it would affect them? No. Not really. He pretty much had figured that they would get over it, if given enough time.

But the proof was in this old man’s eyes that it wouldn‘t be that easy. And it made him aware of how devastated his friends would be and how badly it had to hurt them when he got so close to death.

“I‘ll try,” Jim finally said to the vid, once he could look up from behind his hand. He couldn’t promise more. His position meant that his life was expendable.

It was one of those odd lessons that all starship captains had learned on the way. It had just about become unofficial policy ever since the attack on the Kelvin. A captain, if only to buy their ship some time, would and have sacrificed their lives for their crew, unflinchingly. And it was something that would continue long after Jim was around.

When Pike had given himself over to Nero six months ago he’d been following that policy. Even knowing that officially a starship captain wasn’t supposed to put himself in such danger, he’d still done it for his crew because they had been out-gunned and out-matched by the giant Narada ship. Pike knew that when it came to their people a captain’s life was valued at so much less, although that crew may not necessarily agree.

Jim was another captain that believed it. How could he not? His father had also shared that belief. Jim understood the reason for it in a way that he'd never done so when he’d been young and so very angry at growing up with a dead father.

“I will try,” said Jim. He would try to fulfill that promise but if his people were in danger… that went out the window.

Before Jim could continue the vid the bleep of the door sounded.

“Come in,” he called and the door opened to show the other Spock currently in Jim’s life, the really young one that should have been about twice as old. “Hey, Spock,” said Jim, as he closed down the vid, and logged out of his personal account.

He could finish it later. The old man wouldn’t be expecting a reply from him anytime soon. Spock walked in and the look that he gave Jim made him straightened and wonder what his expression had told the young man.

“I wasn‘t certain if you would be sleeping in my quarters or in your own and I sought to ascertain an answer,” said Spock, calmly.

Jim gave him a surprised look then actually paused to think about it. “Umm I hadn‘t thought about that. Do you want your room to yourself?” It was a valid question. Spock was approaching that age that in a teenage human usually meant keeping the adults away from your private quarters.

There was that nearly imperceptible relaxation to Spock’s shoulders that gave Jim the answer. The boy had been thinking that Jim would want to be out of Spock’s and in his own room.

“That will not be necessary,” answered Spock.

“Okay,” said Jim as he nodded in agreement. “Why don‘t you tell me about what you were up to? I bet it was more interesting than my shift.”

Together he and Spock walked over to Spock’s quarters with Jim listening intently to the boy the entire way.

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TBC in [Part 24]

a/n: This chapter came out more bittersweet than I had expected, though I am pleased with it. Oh old!Spock you always make me want to cry when you show up in the movie.