Fic - Jimmy and his Ninja Prince (Part I)
Title: Jimmy and his Ninja Prince
Author: spirktrekker42
Beta: lkim_09
Series: STXI
Rating: PG-13
Length: 6500+ words
Warning: Kirk uses the F-word
A/N: Thanks to awarrington and kikkochan55 for helping me figure out the in’s and out’s of LJ. And a big round of applause for my amazing beta - I could not have done this without her.
Summary: Jimmy Kirk is given a special Christmas gift by a mysterious elderly Vulcan. However, he receives more than he bargained for, when, thanks to his selfless actions, it comes alive…
Disclaimer: The rights to Star Trek belong to Gene Roddenberry, and NuTrek belongs to J.J. Abrams, Orci, and Kurtzman. The rights to the Nutcracker belong to E.T.A. Hoffman and the revision to Alexander Dumas Pere, and the ballet to Tchaikovsky.
One night in Riverside, Iowa, snow began to fall, announcing the true arrival of the winter season. Thirteen year-old Jimmy Kirk glanced out of his bedroom window, mesmerized by the snow sticking on the crinkled, brown grass. Soon the party guests began to arrive, and a few of the boys began an impromptu snowball fight. How Jimmy wished he was outside with them! But he was not dressed for such activities. His dress clothes were too stiff and his tie felt like it was about to strangle him. Why had his mother insisted he wear this stupid getup? It was just a dumb party.
It was indeed the night of his mother’s annual Christmas Eve bash at the family farm. Even after Winona Kirk remarried his stepfather, Frank, she insisted on carrying on the tradition that she had started with her first husband, and Jimmy’s father, George. Jimmy only hoped that the arrival of his older friends Lenny and Monty would help make the night bearable, along with the presence of his older brother, Sam.
Jimmy decided that he’d better hightail it downstairs before his mom yelled at him for being late. Ever a ball of energy, he took the stairs two at a time, jumping the last three. The muffled sounds of chatter of the guests who had already arrived were coming through the living room. He was just about to peek his head in to see who was there when his mother found him.
“Oh good, Jimmy, you’re ready,” his mom said, sounding distracted as she smoothed his unruly hair into place. “Could you answer the door while I check on the ham?” Not bothering to wait for an answer, his mother left him standing by the door. Thankfully, the next family that arrived was the McCoys.
“Merry Christmas, Lenny!” Jimmy cried, holding out his fist for their traditional greeting. One complicated fist-bump later, the youngest Kirk invited the McCoys inside. “There’s food and punch in the living room; presents go on the far table.” Jimmy directed Lenny’s parents, who had the decency to leave the two kids along.
“Dammit, Jim!” His friend hissed once they were alone. “How many times do I have to tell you? It’s not Lenny anymore, it’s Bones.”
“Okay, Lenny-Bones,” Jim teased as they headed for the living room. “That sounds so much cooler.”
“Unbelievable,” Bones growled as they went to join Sam and one of their other close friends from school.
“There ye are!” Monty exclaimed, pulling both boys in for a bear hug. “I was beginnin’ to get worried when ye dinnae come down with your brother!”
“I’m fine, Monty,” Jimmy assured him. The boys had barely begun to converse before they were interrupted by their other friend.
“Uh oh, don’t look now, Jim, but here comes trouble,” Bones warned, pointing towards the entrance.
Jimmy looked over his shoulder towards the foyer. Another boy had shown up with his parents. The first distinctive feature he noticed was the flaming red hair. Crap. He hadn’t realized his mother had invited the family of his arch-nemesis, Sean Finnegan.
“I’d better go greet them,” he said, reluctantly trotting over to the Finnegans.
“Seamus, Lavender, I’m so glad you could come,” chirped his mother’s voice as she shook hands with Finnegan’s parents.
“Thank you for the invite. I’m sorry we had to bring our son, but we didn’t feel right leaving him all alone on Christmas Eve.” Winona shot a warning look at her youngest.
“I’m sure Sean will get along just fine with the boys. Right, Jimmy?”
“Yes m’am.” He would do anything to keep his mother happy on Christmas Eve, even pretend to be friends with the slimeball who tortured him every day at school, just because he got better grades. Jimmy grabbed Finnegan’s hand and reluctantly dragged him over to his group of friends.
“Hey, you little shit,” Finnegan said, finally out of his parents’ earshot. “You touch me again, and you die.”
“Go fuck yourself, Finnegan,” Jimmy said, cheerfully flipping him the bird. He’d probably receive a beating once they returned to school and Finnegan had his bodyguards to do his bidding, but it was worth it.
“What did you say?” Jim smirked. Finnegan couldn’t touch him here, and he knew it.
“Fuck off, Carrot Top.”
“You’ll be sorry,” Finnegan warned, stomping off in the direction of the kitchen.
“Ach, lad, do ye think that was smart?” Monty worried aloud as Jimmy rejoined the group.
“Probably not,” Jimmy admitted. “But I don’t care. He can’t hurt me here.”
“Hey, Jim, the girls are here,” Sam informed him from across the room. The elder Kirk was cozied up with his current girlfriend, Aurelan. They’d been together for three months, which was much longer than any of Sam’s previous girlfriends had lasted.
“Hello, ladies,” Jim greeted them each in turn as they approached his friends. Nyota and Chrissie just shook their heads, as they were used to his flirtatious antics by now. The other girls, however, were a little more receptive.
“Hi, Jimmy,” Janice said shyly, flipping her blonde hair. She looked rather stunning in her tight red dress.
“Hey, pretty lady. That dress is a killer.” He shot Janice a wink, and she promptly blushed.
“Jimmy was just going to get me some punch,” Carol reminded him, glaring at Janice for that little exchange.
“Huh?” Jimmy said, confused. “I don’t remember saying-”
“Weren’t you, Jimmy?” Carol glared at him. Jimmy winced; he’d forgotten he was supposed to be with Carol now. Oh well, old habits die hard.
“Um, yes. I’ll go get you some right now!” he said brightly, making a run for it.
But Jimmy never made it to the punch bowl. That moment marked the entrance of a strange new arrival, and all of the chatter in the house immediately quelled. Upon closer inspection, it appeared the stranger was a wizened old man, tailored in a bulky grey coat and trousers. He was clutching a large parcel.
“Merry Christmas, sir.” Winona blinked, astonished when the old man removed his hat to reveal a pair of pointed ears. Jimmy knew from his mother’s reaction that this man had not been invited. “May I offer you something to eat?”
He shook his head, and took a few steps towards the living room. Amidst the mutterings and whispers among the guests, the elderly Vulcan scanned the room for something, his gaze finally falling on the group of children, who quickly looked away. All except one.
A curious pair of blue eyes met the Vulcan traveler’s gaze without flinching. The boy stood up and made his way over to the mysterious visitor. He was not afraid. Nothing about this new arrival caused Jim to be alarmed. If anything, the Vulcan gave off an aura of peace and calm.
“Jimmy, are you nuts?” Lenny whispered as Chrissie clutched his hand in fear. “Even old Vulcans have enough strength to crush your trachea if they want to.”
Jimmy turned back towards Bones and rolled his eyes. Lenny would use the correct medical term for windpipe. When he grew up, the native Georgian wanted to be a doctor like his father, not a physicist like his uncle.
“He’s right!” Finnegan added, eyeing the Vulcan in fear. “Your dad was killed by a Romulan, kin to Vulcans. Don’t be an idiot, Kirk!”
“Jimmy, be careful!” Nyota urged, who was huddled together with Monty.
“What is wrong with you?” Jimmy exploded at his friends, then turning to the adults. “All of you? He’s just a nice old guy.”
“Oh yeah? Well if he’s so nice, why don’t you hug him?” Was the Irish boy’s taunt. Kirk glanced up at Ambassador Selek, whose eyes were twinkling with mischief. But there was a sadness there that Kirk hadn’t previously detected.
“Okay, I will,” he shrugged. He threw his arms around the Vulcan’s waist. When he pulled away, Ambassador Selek’s eyes were misty. Jimmy imagined that if his father had been alive, this was what he might’ve felt if he hugged him. Unconditional love and understanding.
“Do I know you?” Jimmy whispered. There was no way he could know him. Jimmy had never met a Vulcan before in his life. Yet something nagged at the back of his mind. In answer, the Vulcan placed a comforting hand on Jimmy’s shoulder, and addressed the crowd.
“Greetings. I am Ambassador Selek of Vulcan. Do not be alarmed; Vulcans continue to practice the long standing tradition of non-violence. The attack on the Kelvin by our Romulan cousins has not influenced our beliefs. I grieve with thee, Mrs. Kirk.”
Winona’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude, touched by the elderly being’s words. Frank, however, just gave the Vulcan a sour look for bringing up George. The Vulcan pretended not to have seen Frank. “I have journeyed far to come here, with a special gift for a special child.” He indicated the parcel he was carrying.
“Ooh, ooh, me me!” The children and teens all rushed toward Ambassador Selek, their previous prejudices forgotten. Now that the Vulcan was handing out free stuff, Jimmy thought with annoyance. Even Finnegan was jumping up and down, waving his hand in front of the Vulcan’s face. But the Ambassador only had eyes for Jimmy.
“As you were the only one brave enough to approach me, I deem it is only fair that you receive my special gift.”
“Me?” Jimmy said, in disbelief. All he’d done was be nice to the guy.
“Would you like to see your present?” the ambassador asked Jimmy, who nodded eagerly. Selek pulled out a beautifully wrapped rectangular prism-shaped package and handed it over. The boy eagerly tore into the paper, making short work of it. Opening the box, he pulled out his new toy and announced,
“It’s a deluxe pre-reformation Vulcan Ninja action figure complete with lirpa and ahn-woon!” Jimmy gazed up at the ambassador, the appreciation practically glowing in his cerulean eyes. “This is awesome! I’ve always wanted one but they’re too expensive. Guys, come see!”
Lenny, Monty, Nyota, Chrissie, Janice, and Carol came running over to see Jim’s new action figure. Sean Finnegan, on the other hand, sulked in the corner, which was too bad, as the ambassador produced other smaller presents for the rest of the children.
The rest of the evening continued without incident, for the most part. After they had stuffed themselves silly, the children gathered around Ambassador Selek as he regaled them with Vulcan tales of old, and of battles and shieldmates and honor. Then Jim watched as his friends took turns daring each other to kiss under the mistletoe. First there was Sam and Aurelan, then Nyota and Monty, then Bones and Chrissie. Both Carol and Janice were eyeing him, and he pretended not to notice. He didn’t know what was wrong with him! Usually he’d grab them both and go for it, but he just wasn’t feeling it tonight. That was when he got to wondering where his Vulcan Ninja had gotten off to. It had been passed around from friend to friend all night. The girls had wanted to play with its long black hair, and the boys had wanted to give the ancient weapons a closer inspection.
“Looking for something, Jimmy?” Kirk spun around to find a sniggering Finnegan, holding his Vulcan action figure.
“Give it back, Sean,” Jimmy said cautiously.
“Why do you want it, anyway?” Finnegan was carelessly swinging it around by the arm, much to Kirk’s chagrin. “It’s just a stupid doll.”
“It’s an action figure!” Jimmy corrected him. “And Ambassador Selek gave it to me.”
“Chill, plebe, I’ll give it back,” Finnegan promised, but not before he yanked the toy’s left arm out of its socket. “Here you go,” he chortled, taking grim pleasure as Jimmy’s expression changed from horrified to downright furious.
“You asshole!” Jimmy screamed, trying to run towards Finnegan but was held back by Bones and Monty.
“Jim, he’s not worth it,” Bones insisted, still grasping the flailing boy.
“But that was my Vulcan, and he hurt it!” Jimmy tried to choke down his sniffles as he reached for his damaged Ninja.
“May I have a look?” It was Ambassador Selek.
“I-I didn’t mean for it to get broken, I promise!” the boy cried, worried that Selek would think ill of him.
“It is alright, Jim,” Selek said, gently embracing the boy. “I saw what happened. I believe your Ninja is quite fixable.” Wordlessly, Jimmy handed the pieces over to Selek, who, with some difficulty, was able to snap the arm back into place.
“Thank you!” Jimmy cried, holding his Vulcan protectively. He wasn’t letting Finnegan or anyone else get a hold of it again.
“You’re welcome, my young friend. Take good care of him.” Then Ambassador Selek turned to his hosts. “I am afraid I must be going.” He raised his right hand in a Vulcan salute. “May you all live long and prosper.” He turned to go.
“Wait!” Jimmy called. “Will I ever see you again?”
Selek smiled. “There are always possibilities.” And in a blink of an eye, he was transported away from the Kirk home, and perhaps, back to his ship.
.~.
Selek’s departure signaled the other guests that it was time to leave. Jim said his goodbye to his friends, while Winona thanked the adults for coming. As soon as the last guest had left, Jim suddenly found that he was very sleepy. His mother sent him upstairs with Sam, who made sure to tuck his younger brother in so that he didn’t fall out of bed. (Jimmy was a very active sleeper, if you can imagine that.) While he drifted off to sleep, the young boy thought of Selek, and the ultimate kindness the old Vulcan had showed him that night.
Several Hours Later
Jimmy awoke with a start. He thought he’d heard a floorboard creak. The old house felt… different somehow. Colder. Creepier. He shivered in bed watching as his star-speckled curtains billowed in the breeze. Sam must have accidentally left his window open! Jimmy quickly got up and closed it, not wanting to let in any more cold air. At least it had stopped snowing.
When he returned to bed, Jimmy was overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness and the need to touch someone. He couldn’t run to his mother, as Frank had threatened him with a beating if he ever disturbed them when their bedroom door was closed. He couldn’t run to Sam, as his big brother always snuck out to spend the night with his girlfriend. Then he thought of his Vulcan Ninja. Wide-eyed, he realized he’d never even brought his new action figure upstairs! He pulled on his sneakers and his father’s white Starfleet robe, preparing for the journey ahead.
Since he knew there was no way he’d fall asleep without it, Jimmy decided to risk the dangers of a dark house and crept downstairs to find his Vulcan. With every step he took, the stairs groaned in misery under his weight. Jimmy’s heart pounded in his chest, and his palms grew sweaty. What if he made too much noise and woke his step-father? Would he receive coal and switches for Christmas instead of presents? (Jimmy wouldn’t put that past Frank.) But thankfully, the risk had been worth it. Standing stiffly over by the Christmas tree was his very own Vulcan Ninja!
Jimmy reached the living room, and was about to head for his toy when he paused. Something just scurried past him! Heading towards the den, it disappeared under the cloak of darkness. Then another intruder scuttled in from the kitchen, creeping stealthily into the living room. Watching from a distance, Jimmy guessed that he might be facing a giant rat, based on the intruder’s movements. But once the intruder’s features were illuminated by the moonlight, Jimmy recognized the pointy-ears along with the tattooed face. It was a Romulan! It even might be part of the contingent of rogue Romulans that led to his father’s death thirteen years ago… As much as he wanted to take the sonuvabitch down, Jimmy knew he needed to get help first. But when he backed up onto the stairs, his footsteps alerted the Romulan to his presence.
“Ayel!” The pubescent Romulan squeaked, motioning to his superior. “He’s over here!” While Jimmy grappled with the Romulan, he knew he would be no match for the others, especially when they arrived carrying teral’ns; weapons that, when activated, resembled a trident. All five Romulans circled Jimmy, each flaunting their weapons and taunting the poor boy, who stood bravely with his fists raised.
“No one can save you now, Kirk,” Ayel goaded the blond, who stubbornly refused to cry, even though tears were gathering in his eyes.
“Guess again,” came a low voice.
.~.
End Part I
Part II
Author: spirktrekker42
Beta: lkim_09
Series: STXI
Rating: PG-13
Length: 6500+ words
Warning: Kirk uses the F-word
A/N: Thanks to awarrington and kikkochan55 for helping me figure out the in’s and out’s of LJ. And a big round of applause for my amazing beta - I could not have done this without her.
Summary: Jimmy Kirk is given a special Christmas gift by a mysterious elderly Vulcan. However, he receives more than he bargained for, when, thanks to his selfless actions, it comes alive…
Disclaimer: The rights to Star Trek belong to Gene Roddenberry, and NuTrek belongs to J.J. Abrams, Orci, and Kurtzman. The rights to the Nutcracker belong to E.T.A. Hoffman and the revision to Alexander Dumas Pere, and the ballet to Tchaikovsky.
One night in Riverside, Iowa, snow began to fall, announcing the true arrival of the winter season. Thirteen year-old Jimmy Kirk glanced out of his bedroom window, mesmerized by the snow sticking on the crinkled, brown grass. Soon the party guests began to arrive, and a few of the boys began an impromptu snowball fight. How Jimmy wished he was outside with them! But he was not dressed for such activities. His dress clothes were too stiff and his tie felt like it was about to strangle him. Why had his mother insisted he wear this stupid getup? It was just a dumb party.
It was indeed the night of his mother’s annual Christmas Eve bash at the family farm. Even after Winona Kirk remarried his stepfather, Frank, she insisted on carrying on the tradition that she had started with her first husband, and Jimmy’s father, George. Jimmy only hoped that the arrival of his older friends Lenny and Monty would help make the night bearable, along with the presence of his older brother, Sam.
Jimmy decided that he’d better hightail it downstairs before his mom yelled at him for being late. Ever a ball of energy, he took the stairs two at a time, jumping the last three. The muffled sounds of chatter of the guests who had already arrived were coming through the living room. He was just about to peek his head in to see who was there when his mother found him.
“Oh good, Jimmy, you’re ready,” his mom said, sounding distracted as she smoothed his unruly hair into place. “Could you answer the door while I check on the ham?” Not bothering to wait for an answer, his mother left him standing by the door. Thankfully, the next family that arrived was the McCoys.
“Merry Christmas, Lenny!” Jimmy cried, holding out his fist for their traditional greeting. One complicated fist-bump later, the youngest Kirk invited the McCoys inside. “There’s food and punch in the living room; presents go on the far table.” Jimmy directed Lenny’s parents, who had the decency to leave the two kids along.
“Dammit, Jim!” His friend hissed once they were alone. “How many times do I have to tell you? It’s not Lenny anymore, it’s Bones.”
“Okay, Lenny-Bones,” Jim teased as they headed for the living room. “That sounds so much cooler.”
“Unbelievable,” Bones growled as they went to join Sam and one of their other close friends from school.
“There ye are!” Monty exclaimed, pulling both boys in for a bear hug. “I was beginnin’ to get worried when ye dinnae come down with your brother!”
“I’m fine, Monty,” Jimmy assured him. The boys had barely begun to converse before they were interrupted by their other friend.
“Uh oh, don’t look now, Jim, but here comes trouble,” Bones warned, pointing towards the entrance.
Jimmy looked over his shoulder towards the foyer. Another boy had shown up with his parents. The first distinctive feature he noticed was the flaming red hair. Crap. He hadn’t realized his mother had invited the family of his arch-nemesis, Sean Finnegan.
“I’d better go greet them,” he said, reluctantly trotting over to the Finnegans.
“Seamus, Lavender, I’m so glad you could come,” chirped his mother’s voice as she shook hands with Finnegan’s parents.
“Thank you for the invite. I’m sorry we had to bring our son, but we didn’t feel right leaving him all alone on Christmas Eve.” Winona shot a warning look at her youngest.
“I’m sure Sean will get along just fine with the boys. Right, Jimmy?”
“Yes m’am.” He would do anything to keep his mother happy on Christmas Eve, even pretend to be friends with the slimeball who tortured him every day at school, just because he got better grades. Jimmy grabbed Finnegan’s hand and reluctantly dragged him over to his group of friends.
“Hey, you little shit,” Finnegan said, finally out of his parents’ earshot. “You touch me again, and you die.”
“Go fuck yourself, Finnegan,” Jimmy said, cheerfully flipping him the bird. He’d probably receive a beating once they returned to school and Finnegan had his bodyguards to do his bidding, but it was worth it.
“What did you say?” Jim smirked. Finnegan couldn’t touch him here, and he knew it.
“Fuck off, Carrot Top.”
“You’ll be sorry,” Finnegan warned, stomping off in the direction of the kitchen.
“Ach, lad, do ye think that was smart?” Monty worried aloud as Jimmy rejoined the group.
“Probably not,” Jimmy admitted. “But I don’t care. He can’t hurt me here.”
“Hey, Jim, the girls are here,” Sam informed him from across the room. The elder Kirk was cozied up with his current girlfriend, Aurelan. They’d been together for three months, which was much longer than any of Sam’s previous girlfriends had lasted.
“Hello, ladies,” Jim greeted them each in turn as they approached his friends. Nyota and Chrissie just shook their heads, as they were used to his flirtatious antics by now. The other girls, however, were a little more receptive.
“Hi, Jimmy,” Janice said shyly, flipping her blonde hair. She looked rather stunning in her tight red dress.
“Hey, pretty lady. That dress is a killer.” He shot Janice a wink, and she promptly blushed.
“Jimmy was just going to get me some punch,” Carol reminded him, glaring at Janice for that little exchange.
“Huh?” Jimmy said, confused. “I don’t remember saying-”
“Weren’t you, Jimmy?” Carol glared at him. Jimmy winced; he’d forgotten he was supposed to be with Carol now. Oh well, old habits die hard.
“Um, yes. I’ll go get you some right now!” he said brightly, making a run for it.
But Jimmy never made it to the punch bowl. That moment marked the entrance of a strange new arrival, and all of the chatter in the house immediately quelled. Upon closer inspection, it appeared the stranger was a wizened old man, tailored in a bulky grey coat and trousers. He was clutching a large parcel.
“Merry Christmas, sir.” Winona blinked, astonished when the old man removed his hat to reveal a pair of pointed ears. Jimmy knew from his mother’s reaction that this man had not been invited. “May I offer you something to eat?”
He shook his head, and took a few steps towards the living room. Amidst the mutterings and whispers among the guests, the elderly Vulcan scanned the room for something, his gaze finally falling on the group of children, who quickly looked away. All except one.
A curious pair of blue eyes met the Vulcan traveler’s gaze without flinching. The boy stood up and made his way over to the mysterious visitor. He was not afraid. Nothing about this new arrival caused Jim to be alarmed. If anything, the Vulcan gave off an aura of peace and calm.
“Jimmy, are you nuts?” Lenny whispered as Chrissie clutched his hand in fear. “Even old Vulcans have enough strength to crush your trachea if they want to.”
Jimmy turned back towards Bones and rolled his eyes. Lenny would use the correct medical term for windpipe. When he grew up, the native Georgian wanted to be a doctor like his father, not a physicist like his uncle.
“He’s right!” Finnegan added, eyeing the Vulcan in fear. “Your dad was killed by a Romulan, kin to Vulcans. Don’t be an idiot, Kirk!”
“Jimmy, be careful!” Nyota urged, who was huddled together with Monty.
“What is wrong with you?” Jimmy exploded at his friends, then turning to the adults. “All of you? He’s just a nice old guy.”
“Oh yeah? Well if he’s so nice, why don’t you hug him?” Was the Irish boy’s taunt. Kirk glanced up at Ambassador Selek, whose eyes were twinkling with mischief. But there was a sadness there that Kirk hadn’t previously detected.
“Okay, I will,” he shrugged. He threw his arms around the Vulcan’s waist. When he pulled away, Ambassador Selek’s eyes were misty. Jimmy imagined that if his father had been alive, this was what he might’ve felt if he hugged him. Unconditional love and understanding.
“Do I know you?” Jimmy whispered. There was no way he could know him. Jimmy had never met a Vulcan before in his life. Yet something nagged at the back of his mind. In answer, the Vulcan placed a comforting hand on Jimmy’s shoulder, and addressed the crowd.
“Greetings. I am Ambassador Selek of Vulcan. Do not be alarmed; Vulcans continue to practice the long standing tradition of non-violence. The attack on the Kelvin by our Romulan cousins has not influenced our beliefs. I grieve with thee, Mrs. Kirk.”
Winona’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude, touched by the elderly being’s words. Frank, however, just gave the Vulcan a sour look for bringing up George. The Vulcan pretended not to have seen Frank. “I have journeyed far to come here, with a special gift for a special child.” He indicated the parcel he was carrying.
“Ooh, ooh, me me!” The children and teens all rushed toward Ambassador Selek, their previous prejudices forgotten. Now that the Vulcan was handing out free stuff, Jimmy thought with annoyance. Even Finnegan was jumping up and down, waving his hand in front of the Vulcan’s face. But the Ambassador only had eyes for Jimmy.
“As you were the only one brave enough to approach me, I deem it is only fair that you receive my special gift.”
“Me?” Jimmy said, in disbelief. All he’d done was be nice to the guy.
“Would you like to see your present?” the ambassador asked Jimmy, who nodded eagerly. Selek pulled out a beautifully wrapped rectangular prism-shaped package and handed it over. The boy eagerly tore into the paper, making short work of it. Opening the box, he pulled out his new toy and announced,
“It’s a deluxe pre-reformation Vulcan Ninja action figure complete with lirpa and ahn-woon!” Jimmy gazed up at the ambassador, the appreciation practically glowing in his cerulean eyes. “This is awesome! I’ve always wanted one but they’re too expensive. Guys, come see!”
Lenny, Monty, Nyota, Chrissie, Janice, and Carol came running over to see Jim’s new action figure. Sean Finnegan, on the other hand, sulked in the corner, which was too bad, as the ambassador produced other smaller presents for the rest of the children.
The rest of the evening continued without incident, for the most part. After they had stuffed themselves silly, the children gathered around Ambassador Selek as he regaled them with Vulcan tales of old, and of battles and shieldmates and honor. Then Jim watched as his friends took turns daring each other to kiss under the mistletoe. First there was Sam and Aurelan, then Nyota and Monty, then Bones and Chrissie. Both Carol and Janice were eyeing him, and he pretended not to notice. He didn’t know what was wrong with him! Usually he’d grab them both and go for it, but he just wasn’t feeling it tonight. That was when he got to wondering where his Vulcan Ninja had gotten off to. It had been passed around from friend to friend all night. The girls had wanted to play with its long black hair, and the boys had wanted to give the ancient weapons a closer inspection.
“Looking for something, Jimmy?” Kirk spun around to find a sniggering Finnegan, holding his Vulcan action figure.
“Give it back, Sean,” Jimmy said cautiously.
“Why do you want it, anyway?” Finnegan was carelessly swinging it around by the arm, much to Kirk’s chagrin. “It’s just a stupid doll.”
“It’s an action figure!” Jimmy corrected him. “And Ambassador Selek gave it to me.”
“Chill, plebe, I’ll give it back,” Finnegan promised, but not before he yanked the toy’s left arm out of its socket. “Here you go,” he chortled, taking grim pleasure as Jimmy’s expression changed from horrified to downright furious.
“You asshole!” Jimmy screamed, trying to run towards Finnegan but was held back by Bones and Monty.
“Jim, he’s not worth it,” Bones insisted, still grasping the flailing boy.
“But that was my Vulcan, and he hurt it!” Jimmy tried to choke down his sniffles as he reached for his damaged Ninja.
“May I have a look?” It was Ambassador Selek.
“I-I didn’t mean for it to get broken, I promise!” the boy cried, worried that Selek would think ill of him.
“It is alright, Jim,” Selek said, gently embracing the boy. “I saw what happened. I believe your Ninja is quite fixable.” Wordlessly, Jimmy handed the pieces over to Selek, who, with some difficulty, was able to snap the arm back into place.
“Thank you!” Jimmy cried, holding his Vulcan protectively. He wasn’t letting Finnegan or anyone else get a hold of it again.
“You’re welcome, my young friend. Take good care of him.” Then Ambassador Selek turned to his hosts. “I am afraid I must be going.” He raised his right hand in a Vulcan salute. “May you all live long and prosper.” He turned to go.
“Wait!” Jimmy called. “Will I ever see you again?”
Selek smiled. “There are always possibilities.” And in a blink of an eye, he was transported away from the Kirk home, and perhaps, back to his ship.
.~.
Selek’s departure signaled the other guests that it was time to leave. Jim said his goodbye to his friends, while Winona thanked the adults for coming. As soon as the last guest had left, Jim suddenly found that he was very sleepy. His mother sent him upstairs with Sam, who made sure to tuck his younger brother in so that he didn’t fall out of bed. (Jimmy was a very active sleeper, if you can imagine that.) While he drifted off to sleep, the young boy thought of Selek, and the ultimate kindness the old Vulcan had showed him that night.
Several Hours Later
Jimmy awoke with a start. He thought he’d heard a floorboard creak. The old house felt… different somehow. Colder. Creepier. He shivered in bed watching as his star-speckled curtains billowed in the breeze. Sam must have accidentally left his window open! Jimmy quickly got up and closed it, not wanting to let in any more cold air. At least it had stopped snowing.
When he returned to bed, Jimmy was overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness and the need to touch someone. He couldn’t run to his mother, as Frank had threatened him with a beating if he ever disturbed them when their bedroom door was closed. He couldn’t run to Sam, as his big brother always snuck out to spend the night with his girlfriend. Then he thought of his Vulcan Ninja. Wide-eyed, he realized he’d never even brought his new action figure upstairs! He pulled on his sneakers and his father’s white Starfleet robe, preparing for the journey ahead.
Since he knew there was no way he’d fall asleep without it, Jimmy decided to risk the dangers of a dark house and crept downstairs to find his Vulcan. With every step he took, the stairs groaned in misery under his weight. Jimmy’s heart pounded in his chest, and his palms grew sweaty. What if he made too much noise and woke his step-father? Would he receive coal and switches for Christmas instead of presents? (Jimmy wouldn’t put that past Frank.) But thankfully, the risk had been worth it. Standing stiffly over by the Christmas tree was his very own Vulcan Ninja!
Jimmy reached the living room, and was about to head for his toy when he paused. Something just scurried past him! Heading towards the den, it disappeared under the cloak of darkness. Then another intruder scuttled in from the kitchen, creeping stealthily into the living room. Watching from a distance, Jimmy guessed that he might be facing a giant rat, based on the intruder’s movements. But once the intruder’s features were illuminated by the moonlight, Jimmy recognized the pointy-ears along with the tattooed face. It was a Romulan! It even might be part of the contingent of rogue Romulans that led to his father’s death thirteen years ago… As much as he wanted to take the sonuvabitch down, Jimmy knew he needed to get help first. But when he backed up onto the stairs, his footsteps alerted the Romulan to his presence.
“Ayel!” The pubescent Romulan squeaked, motioning to his superior. “He’s over here!” While Jimmy grappled with the Romulan, he knew he would be no match for the others, especially when they arrived carrying teral’ns; weapons that, when activated, resembled a trident. All five Romulans circled Jimmy, each flaunting their weapons and taunting the poor boy, who stood bravely with his fists raised.
“No one can save you now, Kirk,” Ayel goaded the blond, who stubbornly refused to cry, even though tears were gathering in his eyes.
“Guess again,” came a low voice.
.~.
End Part I
Part II