J-Daddy and the Princess

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.  ~Paul Boese

“Hey,” Jim whispered into Spock’s exposed ear the next morning. Spock automatically reached out, disappointed to encounter a suit rather than skin. “If you’re going to take me to the office, you need to be up and at-em.”

“Who is Adam and why would I wish to be him?” Spock asked, making Jim laugh.

“I’m sure there are people who fall for your innocent I’m-not-from-around-here routine. I know better.”

“Indeed,” Spock agreed, rolling on his side to better appreciate the sight of Jim in his dark blue custom made suit standing by the bed. “Are you certain you must leave so early?”

“Quite certain,” Jim said with a dangerously charming smile. “If you want, I can take the Ferrari and have it delivered back to you later.”

Spock shook his head, gracefully leaving the bed. “I will dress and drive you.”

“That’s my preference,” Jim said. “Make sure you take sunscreen with you. And rent an umbrella. It’s going to be hot today, so drink plenty of ….” He stopped when Spock put one finger over his lips.

“I am from a desert planet,” Spock said simply.

“Right,” Jim replied with a brisk nod. “I guess I don’t need to worry.”

“You do not,” Spock said. “Thank you.”

Jim shrugged, watching Spock dress and braid his hair before leading him out into the dining room. “Would you mind getting something to eat by yourself?”

“I would not. However, you must also eat.”

Jim nodded at that. “I have a meeting first thing this meeting. Breakfast will be served.”

“And you will eat?”

“I promise,” Jim laughed. “Are you always such a mother-hen?”

“Asks the man who told me to rent an umbrella and drink enough water,” Spock reminded him, making Jim laugh.

“Point taken,” Jim agreed. “Do you have enough credits?”

“I have plenty as I have not had to use any of the ones you provided to me,” Spock said.

“Good. I should be back here by 4:30 if I’m lucky. It will take about 35 minutes to get to Phil and Chris’s.”

“Is it not appropriate to purchase a token of appreciation?” Spock asked as he collected his credits, his room entry card, his phone, and the key to the Ferrari.

“They won’t care. But if you want, you can pick up a bottle of Hendrick's Reserve. There is a store in the lobby of the office building that sells it.”

“Very convenient,” Spock said.

“Even more so since we have an account there and you won’t have to pay for it,” Jim said.

“Will they be open this early?” Spock asked, struck by a second thought. “Will they allow me to charge an item to your account?”

“Yes. Yes. If they try to stop you, give them my cell phone number. That will probably be enough for them to stop arguing with you.”

“Very well,” Spock said, going with Jim into the elevator and down to the parking deck. Spock automatically entered the driver’s side, Jim sitting in the passenger seat. Spock could feel Jim’s eyes on him and appreciated the warmth he feel emanating from those blue eyes.

It took far less time than Spock would have preferred to arrive at Jim’s office building. Because of the very early hour, they quickly found a convenient space, Spock pulling smoothly into it. They entered the building together, Jim stopping at the elevator bank after pointing out the store which would have the gin Jim had mentioned. Spock continued in that direction, the feel of Jim’s eyes on his back until he rounded a corner and entered the upscale store.

With no fuss, Spock chose the gin and charged it to Jim’s account, the older man behind the counter apparently accustom to the eccentricities of the man who, it turned out, owned the building in which the store was located. Spock should not have been surprised but in truth he was. Jim was a man of many secrets, only a few of which Spock had been allowed to discover. He suppressed a rising regret that there would be no time learn them all.

Returning to the Ferrari, Spock drove it to the beach he had chosen, finding a secluded area which felt welcoming to him. He rented an umbrella and spread his towel out beneath it. The space he occupied was out of the mainstream of Human traffic and was quiet enough to enable Spock to meditate. He had not done so since he had met Jim and there were many thoughts which he needed to contemplate, sort, cherish, set aside.

He wasn’t entirely sure how long he had mediated when he emerged. The deep state of his relaxation had caused him to lose track of the time. His stomach, however, informed him that it was well past time to find something to eat.

Spock contemplated the beach and the ocean which was beckoning to him. He weighed the idea of eating in one of the local restaurants and then returning to the beach, versus returning to the penthouse.

His internal clock caught up with the external world and he decided he was not yet ready to leave the beach behind. He still had six hours before Jim was due back to the penthouse and he had not yet taken a swim.

Standing to stretch all of his muscles, he walked across the warm sand and made his way to one of the vegetarian restaurants he had discovered close by. When he entered the small café, the waitress closest to the door gave him an appreciative once-over before showing him to a table. Her attentiveness was in contrast to the way in which he was accustom to being treated and he put it down to the clothes he was wearing. Everything else about him was the same – same hair that needed to be cut, same eyes that were much darker than any Human’s, same ears and eyebrows that marked him as alien.

He was flattered by her attention but not fooled by it.

After he had finished his brunch and purchased two extra bottles of water, he returned to the beach to test the ocean temperature. He would have preferred it several degrees warmer but it was not going to be unbearable. He pulled off the polo and pants he had worn over his swim trunks, folding the clothes to place them on the beach towel he had brought with him from the hotel.

It was remarkably refreshing to wade into the ocean, the water lapping up to greet him. He would never tire of being at the beach, the magnitude of the ocean always astounding to him.

He swam parallel to the shore, breathing heavily when he emerged. He was tired but in a good kind of way. Physical exertion was always welcome and he felt his muscles working to recover.

As he drank from the water, he considered the others who had arrived at the beach since he’d been there. They were mostly families, small children squealing loudly at the water that pursued them. Parents stood guard, not anxious but watchful. Deciding it was time for him to leave the beach to the families, he gathered his things in order to return to the penthouse, taking several unnecessary detours simply because he could.

He showered when he reached the suite, putting on clean khakis and a deep green polo shirt. He decided once his hair had begun to dry, he would braid it again, to keep it out of the way.

Those essentials dealt with, he sat at the desk, some ideas forming which he thought might explain the errors in the ledgers. He had been working steadily on the lap top to put his theory in practice when he froze, staring at the screen in mute incredulity. He took several very deep breaths before he stood, gathering keys and credits and leaving the penthouse.

Finding a parking space close the building was slightly more problematic this time but his determination blinded him to anything other than his goal. Once the Ferrari was parked safely, Spock entered the building, asking the helpful security guard in the red blazer where he would find Dr. Kirk. The guard told him to go to the top floor and ask the attendant when he arrived. The top floor. Of course.

Spock exited the elevator when it stopped on the 15^th floor, the desk directly across occupied by a man who seemed to have anticipated his arrival. No doubt the security guard had alerted him.

“Dr. Kirk is in conference and has left instructions that he is not to be disturbed,” the young man informed Spock not unkindly.

“I am not interested in his instructions. I am only interested in his location,” Spock told the young man firmly and in a tone that would brook no refusal.

“I am not at liberty to provide you that information,” the man said with a slight shake of his head.

Spock took his cell phone out of his pocket, wondering very briefly if Jim remembered that he had installed locators on them both. Spock’s phone informed him that Jim, or at least his phone, was approximately 12 feet and to the right. Spock strode off in that direction, pointedly ignoring the rising panic and volume of the attendant’s warnings.

Spock threw open the wooden door of the office that had a tiny placard reading JT Kirk, President.

Four sets of startled eyes were staring at him as he entered but he saw only the very blue ones. Jim looked away from Spock for a moment, addressing the three others sitting at the conference table. “Excuse us,” Jim said, nodding to the door. Spock moved aside and very firmly closed the door when they were on the other side of it. “What’s wrong?”

“I was attempting to balance the ledgers,” Spock said in a deceptively calm voice. Jim could see the volcanic anger raging just beneath the surface. “The instant messaging program opened.”

“Instant message?” Jim asked, no closer to understanding Spock’s obvious fury.

“From my mother,” Spock said slowly, the realization dawning on Jim. “She was thanking you. She expressed her appreciation to you for telling her I am safe.”

“Oh God Spock. I am so sorry,” Jim said, shaking his head. “I shouldn’t have done it.”

“What did you do?” Spock asked, his voice nearly breaking from trying to quail some of his anger.

“I looked up her email address. I couldn’t help it.”

“You could not help it. I do not know what that means,” Spock said.

“You’re her b-b-baby. I can only imagine how hard it is for her not to know you are safe and… ha… healthy,” Jim explained.

Spock stared at him. Jim refused to flinch under his hard gaze. He had fucked up. He wasn’t going to insult either of them by pretending otherwise. “What did you say to her?”

“I wanted to ease her mind if I could,” Jim said.

“What. Did. You. Say. To. Her,” Spock demanded, taking a half a step closer.

“That you are safe. That you told me you m-m-miss her.”

“Did you tell her you know this because you hired me off the street? That her only child is a whore?” Spock asked in a dangerously quiet voice.

“God no. I would never d-d-do that. I said we had met recently and you had told me about leaving Vulcan. Since your father disowned you…”

Spock emitted what sounded distinctly like a growl and turned his back to Jim.

“I am really s-s-sorry,” Jim said, rounding Spock in order to face him. “I shouldn’t have d-d-done it. I am so, so s-s-sorry.”

“Did you tell her where I am?” Spock demanded.

“No. I only told her I m-m-met you recently and that you are okay. I s-s-swear that’s all.”

“That is all,” Spock repeated.

“I s-s-swear, Spock. On all that I hold holy, t-t-that is all I said.”

“What is it you hold holy, Doctor Kirk? Besides money? Because I have seen no evidence that anything else matters to you,” Spock said. Some tiny, frightened part of his brain tried telling him that wasn’t true but he mercilessly suppressed it.

Jim’s eyes widened at Spock’s accusation but he knew it was made from anger and intent to wound. “I’m s-s-sorry. I shouldn’t have d-d-done it.”

“You should not,” Spock agreed, removing the credits from his pocket, followed by the Ferrari key and the room card. “I took nothing else from the suite. I will send you the money for these clothes when I have earned it,” Spock said, heading for the door.

“Spock,” Jim said, standing in his path. “Please don’t go. I f-f-fucked up. I admit it. I didn’t t-t-tell her anything else, I swear. I shouldn’t have contacted her, I know. But I c-c-could only imagine how M-m-mom would feel if she didn’t hear from me for almost two years.”

Spock stared at him, hardening his heart to Jim’s pleas. “Good luck in your negotiations. I trust you will find a way to explain my absence to the doctors.”

“You don’t have to leave,” Jim said. “P-p-please.”

“You have broken my trust,” Spock said.

“I know. And I’m sorry,” Jim said, holding his hands out in silent supplication. It wasn’t until after Spock had closed the door between them that Jim allowed his hands to drop. There was only one thing he could think to do and he wasn’t happy about it. “Hey,” he said when his best friend answered.

“What’s happened?” Bones asked, concern evident in his voice.

“I f-f-fucked up,” Jim said. “I’ve r-r-ruined the b-b-best thing I’ve had in a l-l-long t-t-time.”

“All right, darlin’. Take a deep deep breath and start at the beginning. Take your time and tell me what’s happened. I’m guessing this has to do with Spock,” Bones coaxed.

“Y-y-yes,” Jim said. “B-b-but you have t-t-things to d-d-do.”

“I got all the time you need, Jim. Breathe. Sit down and relax. Now tell me,” Bones said in a soothing, encouraging tone.

Jim explained as quickly and calmly as he could, Bones listening and helping him control his stutter by reminding of his breathing exercises.

“All right. All right,” Bones said, thinking it over. “You said he left the car key, the hotel card, and the credits, right?”

“R-r-right,” Jim agreed. “I have t-t-them here.”

“And his phone?” Bones asked.

“N-n-no. He didn’t leave his phone,” Jim said, taking a deep, cleansing breath. “He still has it.”

“Check his phone,” Bones directed. “Is it still active?”

“Yes,” Jim said, studying his phone that was showing the embedded GPS on Spock’s. “It says he’s two blocks away.”

“Good. Go find him,” Bones said. “Put me on speaker and don’t hang up. I’m with you.”

“Okay,” Jim said as went over to the elevator that was accessed solely from his office. He studied the dot on his screen as the elevator descended, willing the red dot to not move any more than it had already.

When he reached the ground floor, he rushed outside, turning right to follow the direction of the stationary dot. It didn’t take long for him to find it, sitting on top of a postal box. “B-b-bones,” he said.

“What, darlin’? What’s happened?”

“He l-l-left the phone on a m-m-mailbox.”

“All right. He hasn’t been gone that long. Where’s Hikaru?”

“Wait,” Jim said, squinting up the street. “I t-t-think I s-s-see Spock.”

“Then don’t stand there talking to me. Go find him,” Bones said, an encouraging smile in his voice. He knew that Jim let very little stand in his way when he had any goal in mind.

“R-r-right,” Jim agreed, hurrying down the sidewalk toward the quickly retreating figure. Lucky for him, the light turned red and Spock was prevented from crossing the street and disappearing into the crowd spilling out of a bank that had just closed for day. “Spock,” Jim called as he approached.

Spock reluctantly turned, watching Jim get closer with a completely blank expression. He stood utterly still, no verbal or bodily signs of welcome.

“Bones, I found him.”

“Good,” Bones said. “Call me later.”

“I will,” Jim agreed, hanging up and pocketing his phone, sliding it in next to Spock’s. “Please don’t leave.”

“I have nothing further to say to you,” Spock informed him, staring at him.

“I understand that,” Jim said. “You are right. I think more about balance sheets than I do finding a balance in my life. Or at least I did.” Jim was vaguely aware of the people passing them on the street but for the most part, they simply walked by, showing them a degree of courtesy.

“I have seen no evidence that your perspective has changed,” Spock said coldly.

“Maybe you don’t see it but…it is different. I contacted Amanda out of a misplaced sense of compassion. Not to hurt her. And I certainly didn’t want to hurt you.”

Spock stared at him as though trying to determine the truth of those words. He looked up and down the street before focusing back on Jim. “This is not the place for such a conversation.”

“I agree,” Jim said, looking around. “Let’s go into that café,” he said, pointing across the street from where they were standing.

“Do you own it?”

“What? No. It’s right here. That’s the only reason I suggested it.”

Spock eventually nodded, crossing the street with Jim and following him into the café. They were shown the table in the back of the restaurant with a degree of privacy. Spock could not keep all of the disapproval off of his face when Jim took his ringing phone out of his pocket.

“Santiago,” Jim said, listening very briefly. “I don’t care. I’m not going to be available the rest of the afternoon….That’s entirely up to them…. If it’s that important that they know today, email Bones the particulars….I don’t care…..Yes.” He hung up, powering down his phone so that it could not disturb them until he turned it back on. “Just for the record, we don’t own any food serving establishments.”

Spock did not react to his statement, instead looking up at the waitress who was studying him with an appreciative eye.

“Vulcan spice tea?” she offered.

“Yes,” Spock said.

“Anything to eat, sir?” she asked with an overly friendly smile which was completely wasted on Spock.

“No,” Spock said with a shake of his head. She nodded, focusing instead on Jim.

“I’ll have a cup of coffee. And a buttermilk scone.”

“Yes sir,” she agreed, walking away with one last appreciative glance over her shoulder at Spock.

“What do you want?” Spock finally asked Jim, his voice cold, his eyes frozen.

“To try and get you to understand,” Jim said.

“I understand well enough. I understand you are accustom to making decisions that impact the lives of thousands of people. I am simply one more.”

“That’s not true,” Jim said evenly.

“Which part? Which part is untrue?” Spock asked in challenge.

“You are not simply one more,” Jim said shaking his head.

“Who is Santiago?” Spock asked, the sudden change of subject not confusing Jim as perhaps Spock had anticipated.

“Santiago Castille. He’s head of west coast operations,” Jim said. He looked up at the waitress when she returned with their order, nodding his thanks.

“What did he want?” Spock asked, ignoring his tea for the moment.

“Why?” Jim asked. “What is it you want to know?”

“I do not believe that you would dismiss him if he were calling for business reasons. It is clear that you think of nothing else.”

Jim wasn’t sure what point Spock was making but he took out his phone and turned it back on. After putting it on speaker, he dialed Santiago’s direct line.

“Yes Jim,” Santiago said, some surprise in his voice.

“Repeat to me…to us why you called earlier.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very sure. Tell me what you said,” Jim said in a tone that was accustom to being obeyed.

“The venture capitalists you were meeting with asked if you were returning to the office after your abrupt departure. They thought the deal would be finalized today. When you said you would be unavailable, I asked if I should dismiss them. You replied that if it is important for them to know today I should email the proposal to Leonard for him to sign or not. I repeated to you what they had said – that they were looking for your response, not Leonard’s. You replied that you do not care,” Santiago said, pausing for Jim’s response.

“Thank you Santiago. While I have you, please call Dr. Pike and Dr. Boyce and inform them that something has come up. I will reschedule our dinner meeting soon.”

“Of course,” Santiago agreed. “Will we see you tomorrow?”

“Probably not,” Jim decided, looking at Spock. “If you need anything, contact Bones. I’ll let him know.”

“Certainly,” Santiago said. “Is there anything else you need me to assist in?”

“Not at the moment. If there is, I’ll contact you.”

“Very good. Enjoy your day,” Santiago said, a hint of a smile in his voice.

“I plan to,” Jim agreed, disconnecting.

“You are taking off tomorrow?” Spock asked, one eyebrow raised.

“I am very much hoping that I’ll be spending it with you. If not, I’ll just take it off. Go swimming, maybe go to a movie. It’s been a long time since I’ve skipped work,” Jim admitted.

Spock nodded slowly, sipping his tea as he considered all that had occurred since he saw the instant message from his mother. “Amanda is well?”

“She’s fine. She misses you but she understands why you absent yourself,” Jim said to Spock’s nod.

“Where do you live?” Spock asked, his unexpected question not surprising Jim.

“Holloway Virginia. We live on a 300 acre horse farm,” Jim said with a smile of fondness at the thoughts of home.

“We?” Spock repeated.

“Bones and I live in the same house. Sort of. It was built about 100 years ago by a married couple who couldn’t stand each other. For some ridiculous reason, they couldn’t or wouldn’t divorce so they built a house with two wings and a common center. The wings are like regular houses except for the common area in the middle.”

“That is an unusual arrangement,” Spock noted.

“It is. But it’s perfect for us. Because we have Joanna too,” Jim said.

“Joanna?” Spock asked.

“Bones daughter. She’s about to turn 8. When she was almost 2, Bones’ wife divorced him. Almost a year later, she died in a car accident. Bones and I have Joanna,” Jim explained. “She’s the reason we live on a horse farm. Several years ago she saw a TV show about horses that had been abandoned or mistreated. She cried about it for three days until Bones agreed to buy a farm to provide a refuge for those horses. When they found Rolling Hills Farm, the house was already there. Joanna said that was because I was supposed to live with them too. It’s hard to say no to Joanna McCoy so I didn’t.”

“You lived separately prior to that?”

“Yeah. We had our own houses. But we preferred being together. Joanna doesn’t like when I’m out of her sight for very long. And I know what you must be thinking – that there is more between me and Bones than friendship. But there’s not. He is as much my brother as Sam is. I love Bones with all of my heart but I’m not interested in engaging in incest and that’s how it would feel.”

Spock remained completely impassive when Jim finished, turning over in his head all that he had just learned. Clearly he had misjudged Jim and let his emotions have sway over his intellect. “Where is Joanna now?”

Jim looked at his watch, calculating in his head. “She is at home watching the Oh No You Didn’t marathon.”

“Oh No You Didn’t?” Spock asked.

“It’s a kid’s show. All the rage in the pre-teen set,” Jim explained

“And Dr. McCoy is there with her?”

“Probably. If not, Gaila is. She’s part nanny, part teacher, part horse-whisperer.”

“Have you spoken to Joanna today?”

“Not today. Why?” Jim asked, wondering about that particular question.

“Perhaps you should call her now,” Spock suggested evenly.

“Are you suggesting that there is no Joanna McCoy?” Jim asked, trying to keep the smile from showing on his face. Spock was giving him way too much credit in the imagination category if that’s what he thought.

“I have no way of knowing,” Spock said.

“Except I’m not in the habit of lying or making people up,” Jim replied with a full smile. He turned on his phone, hitting one of his speed dials.

“J-daddy,” a little girl squealed in pure delight.

“Hey Princess. Has the all-Oh No You Didn’t all the time started yet?” Jim asked, smiling broadly.

“Uh huh. Me and daddy are watching it. Are you?”

“No, Princess. It’s not time in California,” he reminded her.

“Oh yeah. I forgot that’s where you were,” she said.

“How was your swim lesson today?” he asked.

“Good. I got to jump off the deep end.”

“You did not,” Jim with all the seriousness he could muster.

“I did so. Gaila took pictures. She said she’d send them to you after she takes care of the horses.”

“Oh boy. I can’t wait to see them,” Jim said.

“The vetranarian came by, J-daddy. She doesn’t think Smoky is going to get better,” Joanna said sadly.

“I’m sorry, Princess. We talked about this, remember? He was really sick when he came to live with us. Sometimes our horses don’t get better.”

“I know,” Joanna sighed. “Daddy said the same thing. When are you coming home?”

“Not until Friday. I told you that yesterday,” Jim laughed.

“I know. But I thought you might change your mind. I miss you.”

“I miss you too, Princess. But you can call me any time you want to. You know that.”

“I know,” Joanna agreed. “Guess what Daddy said we’re doing tomorrow?”

“I have no idea. But it better not be dangerous,” Jim said in mock warning, making Joanna laugh.

“It’s not,” she giggled. “We’re going to that new toy store. The one over in Hillsdale. Daddy said I can get as many Barbie dresses as I want.”

“He did? What have you done to deserve that many new Barbie clothes?” Jim asked with a laugh.

“J-daddy,” she said in exasperation.

“Oh,” Jim said as though he only just remembered. “It’s not because your birthday is in one week, is it?”

“No,” she giggled.

“Is it because you are the most beautiful princess in the whole wide world?” Jim asked.

“That’s not why. You know why, J-daddy.”

“Of course I do, Princess. It’s because you made straight A-s on your report card.”

“Yep,” Joanna agreed. “Oh. My most favorite episode is starting. I love you, J-daddy.”

“I love you too, Princess. And I’ll see you Friday,” Jim said.

“Or maybe sooner?” Joanna asked hopefully.

“Not likely,” Jim laughed.

Joanna sighed as dramatically as only an 8 year old can before Jim heard the sounds of kisses being blown his way.

“Got ‘em,” Jim assured her. “May I talk to Bones if he can stand to tear himself away from Oh No You Didn’t?”

“Uh huh. Here, Daddy,” Joanna said, handing over her phone.

“You okay?” Bones asked automatically.

“I’m fine. I’m here with Spock,” Jim told him, more behind the words than just information.

“Good. Santiago called. I got the proposal.”

“And?” Jim prompted.

“And I took care of it,” Bones said with only a hint of amusement. “You’re off until Wednesday. What I did or not do is not your concern until then.”

“I see,” Jim laughed. “How many dresses are you buying Barbie tomorrow?”

“All of ‘em if she wants. I’m using your credit card,” Bones said, making Jim laugh again.

“Because you don’t have one of your own?”

“You, my friend, are the one who promised them to her,” Bones reminded him.

“Oh. Right,” Jim had to agree.

“Jo-jo wants you again. Call me tomorrow if you need me,” Bones said.

“You know I will,” Jim agreed, waiting as Bones gave the phone to his daughter.

“J-daddy, I forgot to tell you,” she said all excited.

“What did you forget, Princess?”

“Gaila helped me ride Lightening today. He was so good and so gentle,” she said happily.

“That’s wonderful,” Jim enthused. “Will I be getting those pictures too?”

“’Course,” Joanna said, distracted and trying to multi-focus.

“Good. I’ll let you get back to Oh No You Didn’t,” Jim said.

“’Kay. Love you, J-daddy.”

“Love you more,” Jim said before Joanna hung up.

“J-daddy?” Spock had to ask, one eyebrow elevated in unmistakable humor.

“P-Diddy was on an episode of Oh No You Didn’t. Joanna thought they were saying P-daddy and decided I should be J-daddy. And I have been ever since,” Jim explained with an affectionate smile. “Do you believe now that she exists?”

“It was wrong of me to doubt you,” Spock said quietly. “I owe you an apology.”

Jim shook his head, reaching over but withdrawing his hand before he made contact. “No. I shouldn’t have contacted Amanda. Maybe we could have a do-over. I promise not to interfere in your personal life if you agree to forgive me.”

Spock could only nod at that. “Agreed. It was not necessary for you to cancel your dinner plans for this evening.”

Jim shrugged in dismissal. “They’ll understand. And if they don’t, well, that’s on them.” Jim looked around the café which was becoming more and more crowded as time went on. “What do you say we leave this table to someone else?”

“I am in complete agreement,” Spock said, standing as Jim did. He followed Jim to the register where he paid, leaving the smiling waitress a very generous tip.

“Where would you like to go? The hotel? The beach? Now that we have time free, what would you like to do with it?” Jim asked as the walked back toward the office building.

“You are not dressed for the beach,” Spock pointed out.

“No, I’m not.” Jim laughed. “Wait. I know just the thing.”

“The thing for what?” Spock asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

Jim shook his head but the sparkle in his eyes was unmistakable. “You’ll see when we get there.”