(sorry for this week being a titch late- my A key is half broken, and it's cramping my style. :( also, for the record, ages in the last chapter would have been jimmy at 4-5, and spock about 6-7. this chapter, it's 5-6, and 7-8.)
2238 late summer
Jimmy pulls the wooden spoon out of his mouth with a wet pop. The stool he's kneeling on wiggles briefly as he adjusts his weight, trying to lean close enough to see into the large mixing bowl without leaning close enough to get told to get out of the way. The batter in the bowl is thickening as Amanda stirs it, smelling intoxicatingly of bananas and molasses. She gives the contents a last good push before hefting the blue and white vessel and positioning it over the pre-greased baking pan. Spock steps wordlessly forward under his mother's elbow and begins to scrape the batter out with short precise motions. His hand with the spatula is deliberate, exacting.
When the pan is full and placed in the oven, and the mixing bowl and other dish-like debris placed in the sink, Amanda wipes her hands on a towel and gestures for them both to sit. Spock folds himself carefully into one of the ladder back chairs at the table, his toes just resting on the floor. Jimmy climbs onto the window bench across from Spock, swinging his legs, enjoying the repetitive muffled thump as his heels impact the wood beneath him. Spock twitches an eyebrow at him, and he rolls his eyes, but stops.
Amanda sets an apple on the bare wood of the table in front of each of them, fresh-washed and gleaming, and grabs a chair. Spock's mom sits like no other adult Jim has ever seen- she turns the tall chairs around and straddles them, chin resting on the top rung of the chair back, elbows on the table. Jimmy likes Spock's mom, likes her a lot. Sometimes he feels bad, because really, secretly, he likes her more than he likes his own mom. She's pretty, and she's fun, and she always smells good. She doesn't patronize them, but she doesn't ask impenetrable thickets of questions either. She just is, and he likes that.
Right now, however, she's eyeballing them in a way that reminds him that she is, in fact, an adult, and he's starting to get nervous. Spock is doing his best unflappable impression, but after a moment, he cracks.
“Mother? Is there something about which you wished to speak with us?”
Amanda reaches over and ruffles his straight black hair. Spock endures it gracefully, shooting her a look that is equal parts affection and exasperation. He smoothes his bangs back into place with one hand, looking expectantly back at her.
“Yeah, kiddo, I guess there is.” Amanda sighs lightly and rubs at her forehead with one hand. “Spock, I had a call from the school today. They want me to come in for another meeting.”
Spock's eyes widen, then narrow. “I do not understand. I have been given the impression that I am completing my work satisfactorily. Was there a reason given?”
Amanda frowns. “Well, not specifically. They wanted your father there as well, so I told them it would have to wait. He's off-planet until the beginning of November. But they did mention that it concerned both of you...” she turns to look at Jimmy. Jimmy stares intently at the table, spinning the apple on its end like a top. He feels guilty, though he can't think of any reason the school would be calling. He's been trying really hard to be good. He's done all of his homework, and hasn't been building paper spaceships in class. He hasn't even been selling his homemade slingshots after school anymore.
Amanda's elbow catches his, and she grins at him. “Hey, kid, don't be so serious. I'm sure they've called your mom, but it can't be discipline or they would have just said so. It'll all be fine.”
Jimmy smiles back, but as he walks home that evening, he can feel the pit of his stomach sour with apprehension. He's been trying, really, he has. What has he done wrong this time?
2238 fall
It’s not the first time Jimmy has overheard Spock’s parents talking; Spock’s family believes in having conversations out in the open, and as far as he can tell, doesn’t keep secrets. But this is the first time he’s overheard them talking about him.
He pauses just beyond the kitchen door.
“I went over to their house today, Sarek. You wouldn’t believe it.”
Amanda is chopping vegetables, the sound of her knife against the cutting board swift and decisive. One carrot, then a second, a third. Jim can hear the frown in her voice from where he stands.
Sarek waits.
“It’s like…” the chopping pauses, and Jimmy can see her wave her hands in his mind’s eye, “it’s like every clichéd broken home you could imagine. Dishes piled high, blinds kept closed, ashtrays overflowing. No wonder Jimmy spends so much time here.” The rhythm of the blade resumes.
“Not all women are as exemplary as you, Wife.” There is a hint of amusement in Sarek’s voice.
“That’s not what I mean.” An exasperated sigh. “I mean, it’s unhealthy over there. Not to the point of danger, at least I don’t think so, but definitely to the point of not being good for those boys.”
The chopping stops. A scraping sound begins- potatoes, Jimmy thinks, being grated. His stomach growls in anticipation.
“You have met Mrs. Kirk previously, have you not?” Sarek’s query is oddly muffled, and Jim nearly gives himself away by giggling when he realizes that the Vulcan is speaking with his mouth full.
The scraping pauses, then continues a bit more slowly. Amanda is thinking.
“I have, yes, but only in public situations. This was the first time I’ve interacted with her one on one, and in an informal setting.” The scraping stops. Water runs.
“Perhaps this state of affairs is a recent development?” Sarek’s voice is normal again.
“Hmm. It’s possible. Or at least, this level of it is. She’s always been a bit… grey. Never dressed too well, always a bit frowsy around the edges. Nice enough, I suppose, in a very distant way. She doesn’t seem to have any friends, and doesn’t seem interested in making any. Always smelled of cigarettes.”
“It is likely, given her personal history, that she struggles with depression. Being a single parent is difficult, regardless of one’s species, and humans often have less social network to assist them than a Vulcan would.” Sarek’s tone is calm, reasonable. “Being a widow is also difficult, especially the widow of a hero.”
Amanda sighs. “Yes, you’re right. And with kids like hers… Sam, I don’t know as well, but based on what I hear from Spock, he’s got all the markers of an up and coming troublemaker. And Jimmy, well, he’s just way too smart for his own good. Sweet little boy, no question, but my god, that kid’s ADD would try any parent. He’s smart, fast, and into everything!”
Jimmy feels his face flush hot with embarrassment. He thought Amanda liked him, and fear that she doesn’t settles into a tight ball at the bottom of his stomach.
Footsteps, water running. The clank of plates being set out.
“Perhaps there is something you can do for her, Wife. You say she needs a friend- could you become that friend?”
Jimmy can tell Amanda is thinking that over by the extended rattle of silverware.
“Maybe. I dunno, though. I don’t think she likes me very much. Jimmy’s precocious, but he’s only five, and little kids aren’t very subtle. If she is depressed, it can’t make her feel any better to see her son so obviously preferring someone else’s home to his own.” Amanda pauses, and Jimmy can feel the shame course through him. He loves his mom, and he doesn’t like to think about why she is different from other kids’ moms. To think that some of that might be his fault makes his tummy hurt. He will do better, he resolves. James T. Kirk will be the best son his mother could want. He’s sure that’s what his dad would want, too.
“Maybe I’ll make them start spending more time over at the Kirk place” Amanda muses. “Spock’ll understand, and they seem utterly insistent on spending all their time together anyway, what can location matter? And maybe that will give me an excuse to go over there and talk to Winona more, see if I can’t draw her out a bit.” Her voice is enthused. The sound of a kiss. “Thank you, Husband, you are logical as always.”
Sarek makes the muted rumbling noise that Jimmy knows is the Vulcan equivalent of a laugh, and Jimmy steals away. They’ll call him and Spock for dinner soon, and he doesn’t want to be caught listening in the doorway. His stomach churns quietly. He doesn’t really feel very hungry anymore.
2239 winter
Jimmy spits out a clump of grass, and thinks that maybe he should have just let that last comment slide, instead of telling Zach Hutchison exactly what to do with his filthy mouth, but… you just can’t let other kids say bad things about your mom. Sam wouldn’t, that’s for sure.
Another punch lands on his arm, and he grunts, curling up with his arms over his head. He can hear Zach still taunting him, and the other guys laughing it up. He really wants to take another swing, but they’re really a lot bigger than him, these fifth graders, and he’s not stupid. Not really. Not most days.
“Aww, lookit the little baby, all curled up!”
A kick lands in his ribs, but he bites his lip hard and doesn’t reply.
“Whaddya think, boys? Is the baby crying?”
Laughter.
“I bet he is. I bet he’s crying for his mommy, his crazy slut of a mommy.”
Jimmy can feel his fists clench of their own accord.
“Hey baby, whatcha gonna do?”
Another kick, the tip of a worn sneaker thudding just behind his shoulder blade.
“You gonna stand up and fight us like a man? Or are you just gonna lay there like a little pansy and cry?”
Jimmy squeezes his eyes shut and waits. It’s all he can do, he thinks, really, in spite of the shame writing in his gut. He really can’t get in trouble again.
“You will cease this behavior immediately.”
A new voice, cold and… furious?
“Yeah?” The sneer drips from Zach’s tone. “And who’s gonna make us?”
“If you require persuasion, I shall be happy to supply it.”
“You? The nerdy little alien pipsqueak?”
The laughter is long and loud.
“That I’d like to see.”
“If you leave now, this altercation will not need to continue.” The tone is steady, assured.
“Aww, boys, the alien wants to save his boyfriend, but he’s too scared!”
“I am not afraid of you.”
“Big words for a funny-looking runt like you. C’mon, gremlin, show us what you got.”
Jimmy picks himself up from the ground just in time to see Zach take a swing at Spock which flies wide. Spock ducks effortlessly under it, and delivers a push to Zach’s sternum that leaves him sprawling on the ground several feet away, his face blank with shock.
Jimmy gapes.
Zach picks himself up off the ground, the look in his eyes murderous, and gestures to his friends.
“All right, kid, now you’re gonna get it. Nobody dicks around with me. C’mon, boys, let’s get him!”
His movements are smooth, nearly lethargic for all that they’re fast, as Spock ducks every blow that comes his way while managing to deliver stinging jabs and bruising punches at every turn. Jimmy stands mute, dumbfounded at the sight in front of him.
It doesn’t last long. Spock gets in one last punch at Zach’s nose, which crunches and begins to spout thick red streams, and he backs off, his minions dutifully following him. Zach’s scowl is black, but Spock’s face as he watches them go is impassive.
He turns his head to regard Jimmy, and something akin to dismay shows in his eyes. Jimmy ducks his head, embarrassed. Of all the people to catch him getting his butt kicked by the big boys, it had to be Spock. He can feel the flush of shame rising from his neck to his hairline.
“Are you all right?”
“’m fine.” He twists a toe into the dirt, then picks up his school bag. “You didn’t need to do that, you know.” He can hear that his tone is petulant, but he can’t bring himself to care.
“It is illogical to reject assistance when facing opponents with such a clear advantage.”
Spock grabs the strap of Jimmy’s bag and begins to tug him toward the boys’ bathroom. “They weren’t that much bigger.” Jimmy scowls, but he allows himself to be pulled into the tiled enclosure. The mirror shows the bruises beginning to darken up around one eye and on his fist. His shirt is torn and filthy.
Spock pulls a papertowel and wets it, the faucet loud and echo-ey in the empty room.
“But, hey, you know…” Jimmy squirms a little. It’s not Spock’s fault that he came along at exactly the wrong time. “Thanks.”
Spock’s dark eyes just blink at him, his face calm as he leans in and begins to wipe the blood from Jimmy’s split lip.
2239 spring
“Begin with your feet apart, knees bent slightly. This is the most efficacious position from which to move in any direction quickly.” Sarek looks them over. “Good.”
He nods briefly. “Now, from here, curl your right hand into a loose fist, and rest it right at your waist. Yes, good. James, turn your hand over. Like that.”
Jimmy holds the position, drawing his spine up straight as he mimics Spock’s gracefully ramrod stance in front of him.
“With your left hand, push your arm out straight from the shoulder. You will want to focus the force of your body and mind through this hand.”
Sarek executes a smooth motion in demonstration, the movement of his robes smooth and draping.
“James, whereas for a Vulcan, the energy would be centered through the fingers, for a human it should be concentrated in the palm of your hand.”
He carefully positions Jimmy’s hand, twisting his wrist slightly. His skin is warm, and surprisingly smooth against Jimmy’s own slightly sticky palm. He tilts his head toward his son. “Spock has learned both methods, as his physical capabilities are closer to being those of a full Vulcan, but he demonstrates some more human aptitudes in the presentation of force. However, I have suggested to him that when sparring with you, he should alternate techniques in order to instruct you both in a wider range of defensive and offensive strategies.”
Jimmy nods, feeling his thighs begin to tremble with the effort of remaining motionless. He wishes Sam had agreed to join them.
When Sarek had heard about the incident at school, he had been quite livid, at least according to Amanda. Jimmy has a hard time imagining it; Sarek seems so totally unflappable, but, then, Amanda doesn’t lie, so it must have been true. Sarek had been off-planet at the time, but upon his return he had informed Winona of his intentions to instruct her sons in the rudiments of self-defense.
Winona had shrugged, and said the boys could do what they liked. Jimmy had heard her later whispering angrily to his dad’s photo in her bedroom about how now some other man had to do his job, and why the goddamn hell wasn’t he here, anyway. Sam had sneered and turned away.
Jimmy’s excited. He’d seen the way Spock had dispatched all five of the bigger boys, and could think of all kinds of ways learning that could help him out.
The day is hot, and by the end of the hour, when Sarek finally decides that Jimmy has performed the first motions satisfactorily, Jimmy is dripping with sweat. He flings himself on his back on the grass, breathing hard. Sarek continues flowing through forms, his spare figure describing arcs and angles and thrusts against the late-afternoon horizon. Spock wanders over to peer down at Jimmy where he lays catching his breath. He tilts his head to regard him intently.
“Are you all right?”
Jimmy grins, then rolls over suddenly, wrapping his body around Spock’s ankles and dropping the other boy to the ground with a whoof of expressed air. Jimmy rolls himself swiftly so that he’s sitting astride Spock’s chest.
“I win!” His grin is face-splitting.
Spock reaches a hand to straighten his bangs, glaring up at Jimmy from his position on the ground. His eyes narrow, and before Jimmy can take another breath he is flat on his back under Spock, his wrists held firmly in one warm fingered hand. Spock’s weight on his chest is immovable, and the look in his eyes is more than a little bit triumphant as he peers down at Jimmy.
“I believe you will need to revise your statement.” The corner of his mouth twitches, and his grip tightens as Jimmy squirms futilely. “It appears that it is, in fact, I who have won.”
"Sister, Do You Know My Name?" Well we're back in school again
and I don't really know anyone
I really want to be your friend
cause I don't really know anyone
And the bus is pulling
up to your house
I wish you could be sitting here
next to me
i didn't see you at summer school
but I saw you at the corner store
and I don't want to break the rules
cause I've broken them all before
But every time I see you
I wonder why
I don't break a couple rules
so that you'll notice me
Sister do you know my name?
I've heard it before but I want you to know
I got a funny feeling
that it's gonna work out
cause now I see you sitting here next to me
Well we're back in school again
and I don't really know anyone
I really want to be your friend
cause I don't really know anyone
And the bus is pulling
up to your house
I wish you could be sitting here
next to me
i didn't see you at summer school
but I saw you at the corner store
and I don't want to break the rules
cause I've broken them all before
But every time I see you
I wonder why
I don't break a couple rules
so that you'll notice me
Sister do you know my name?
I've heard it before but I want you to know
I got a funny feeling
that it's gonna work out
cause now I see you sitting here
next to me