[ Part I | Part II ]

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Hide-and-Seek
Mates
Deneva
Mother
Company
Join Us
Shipping Questionnaire
Ready or Not
Modern Family
Teamwork
Leonard
Pike

—-

Hide-and-Seek
Imagine that the ship is in the middle of a refit at a space station and everyone but Jim, Leonard, and Spock has gone to the station for shore leave, though Spock has expressed the opinion that he does not understand why Jim and Leonard have chosen to stay on the ship with him. Jim shrugs and cheekily suggests a game of hide-and-seek. Spock points out that as long as they are on the ship, they cannot be ‘hidden’, for the ship’s computer can easily locate them. Jim declares that that would be cheating and, without further ado, takes off to hide. Leonard and Spock exchange a look of significance. After ten minutes of chatting idly in the lounge, they unerringly find the spot in the Jefferies Tube which Jim has picked as his hiding spot. When Jim asks them how they knew where he was, Leonard simply says, “It’s our job to know, kid.”

Leonard is up next, and Jim and Spock come up with a strategy while Leonard hides. They think he’s hidden himself in Spock’s quarters (after all, Leonard would be of the opinion no one would expect him to hide there) and so they go to Spock’s room and walk in, pretending they decided not to even look for Leonard. After five minutes of Jim and Spock playing chess, Leonard bursts out of the bathroom shared between Spock’s quarters and Jim’s quarters and tears into them for abandoning him. Jim falls out of his chair laughing. Spock’s dry comment is “Checkmate.”

Finally, it’s down to Spock to hide. Jim is looking forward to the challenge and Leonard wants revenge. When the game begins, they prowl the Enterprise. They look everywhere. An hour into the search, Leonard wants to give up. Jim convinces him to keep looking. Two hours later, even Jim is frustrated. Where could Spock possibly be? Leonard has gone from peeved to antsy to anxious. He thinks up every scenario in which the Vulcan could fall unconscious or possibly get himself killed. He reminds Jim that an unmanned ship still can be dangerous. Jim eventually begins to panic too. They break the one rule of the game and ask the ship’s computer to locate Spock.

“Working… working…” says the computer. “Commander Spock, location unknown.”

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Jim thinks to ask after the Vulcan’s last known location.

“That sneak!” Leonard snarls when the computer gives an answer.

Spock, it turns out, has transported himself to the starbase. Jim realizes then he never stated the condition that they had to hide on the ship.

Needless to say, Jim and Leonard transport to the starbase and find Spock waiting for them within sight of the transporter station. He has several padds in front of him and clearly for the last few hours has been working. Spock looks up at the humans’ approach and states, “You found me. Captain, you will be pleased to know that in the interim I was able to finish your paperwork in addition to mine.” Then he nudges a drink by his hand towards Leonard. “Doctor, I believe the choice of beverages here will be to your liking.”

And just like that, Jim forgets that he’s angry and Leonard sighs, accepting the drink as an apology. The three of them spend the rest of the evening on shore leave as Spock believed Jim and Leonard should have done all along, for at some point during hide-and-seek the Vulcan had figured out that his two friends simply wanted to be with him.

The End.

—

Mates
Spock is all about professionalism – until he finds his t’hy’la, which happens to be not one but two stubborn, brilliant humans. While Leonard and Jim can handle the divide between personal life and work life rather easily, it is Spock who stops the turbolift until he has been presented with his morning kiss that his forgetful humans did not give him before leaving their quarters. It is Spock who often shows up with lunch prepared for three, wanting an excuse to spend a few extra minutes in their company during the work day. It is Spock who suddenly decides that social functions are very important to attend because he likes everyone to take note that his married life is proceeding well. Anyone who thinks odd of Spock’s behavior is quickly informed by Jim and Leonard that Spock is actually more Vulcan now than he was before, as Vulcans take their duties as spouse extremely seriously. Then, laughing, they add, “You should have seen him when we were dating!”

—

Deneva
Imagine that Spock loses his sight permanently after the Deneva incident and Starfleet Command won’t let him continue as First Officer even with a sensor net. He has already outlined several other careers he might begin and, upon hearing the rumor Spock could be leaving Starfleet, Spock already has many, many job offers… but as he stands on the platform of the hangar deck, ready to board the shuttle that will carry him away from the Enterprise, he finds it strangely difficult to move his feet. He doesn’t question the hands on either side of him, supporting him, guiding him, for he knows they belong to Kirk and McCoy and one doesn’t have to be a touch-telepath to sense the enormous grief the pair endures in heavy silence. He realizes then that he is grieving too, not just for the loss of his sight but for what might have been had he been able to remain by their sides. They stay together like that for the longest time until at last Amanda (who came immediately upon hearing of her son’s injury) gently breaks the contact between them and leads her son to the shuttlecraft, the sound of weak goodbyes trailing behind.

“Are you still able to see them, Mother? How are they?” her son asks her in a roughened voice.

“Crying,” she answers, touching his cheek lightly. “As are you.”

Spock bows his head. Now and through the future, that shuttle ride becomes the most painful event of his life.

—

Mother
Imagine Amanda getting sick and Spock going to bones to ask him to help her despite their being Vulcan healers because he trusts bones with Amanda’s life

And Spock doesn’t have to ask twice for Jim to chart a course to Vulcan. They arrive in record time, and Kirk, Spock, and McCoy beam down together to Sarek’s home. Imagine Leonard being very gentle with Amanda, which would seem quite contrary to his usual bedside manner but it’s evident that McCoy thinks the world of her. Jim keeps Sarek and Spock company while Amanda receives treatment, and after a few long days and harrowing moments, she is on the road to full recovery. As Spock prepares to say goodbye to his parents, his father takes him aside and remarks that the humans who came so quickly to his wife’s aid seem to be particularly unique and dependable individuals. Spock agrees, saying that he has long since known Kirk and McCoy were special to him, and his father just stares at him for a long moment. Then Sarek remarks, “They would be welcome in our House again.” Spock replies, “Thank you, Father,” understanding the meaning not spoken. Sarek has just approved his choice of partners. Later, as Spock leans down to receive his mother’s kiss upon his cheek, Amanda murmurs in his ear, “I believe one would agree this experience has been good for all of us.” Then she winks at him as he joins Jim and Leonard in preparation to beam back to the ship. It’s no secret later on among the Vulcans when the three return to the planet for the holidays that Spock, son of Sarek, has found satisfactory mates in James T. Kirk and Leonard McCoy. His parents have proudly told everyone.

—

Company
When Jim Kirk is having a terrible day, it’s evident to all crewmembers. In the Officers’ Mess or the corridors, no one makes direct eye contact with their fuming captain or dares to snicker at his bad hair. They don’t ask what put that look on his face or why he’s wearing the green wraparound tunic instead of his usual command gold. After Kirk marches onto the Bridge without greeting anyone, Uhura makes a discreet call to Sickbay and Scotty gives the Science Officer a ‘you go deal with him’ eyebrow wiggle (which Spock thinks is an unfortunate facial twitch and doesn’t react accordingly until Nyota not-so-subtly shoves him away from his station towards the center of the Bridge).

The Vulcan stands there for some seconds in silence, just slightly behind the captain’s chair. Then, in his normal monotone, he almost casually gives a status report. Kirk’s answer is abrupt, unenthusiastic, and downright grouchy. No longer mystified, Spock returns to his station.

Sulu and Chekov, despite feeling their captain’s gaze on their backs, refuse to turn around. That way, Kirk can’t see their expressions of relief when the turbolift admits one familiar figure to the Bridge. McCoy greets everyone, sounding extraordinarily jovial. He takes his time in touring the upper deck of the Bridge, hands at his back, until his last stop brings him abreast of Spock. Then Leonard gives the Vulcan a long look before finally tipping his head in the direction of their captain. Spock obediently follows him to the lower level. Leonard takes up a position on Kirk’s left; Spock takes the right. They say nothing.

Jim starts to drum his fingers on the chair arm. After two minutes, he grips the chair. After five, he snaps upright and demands, “What? What is it?”

“Nothing,” answers McCoy.

“You’re looming over me for nothing?”

“Thought you might appreciate the company.”

The man subsides at this. Eventually, inevitably, he apologizes for his behavior.

Leonard pats Kirk’s shoulder. Spock inquires, “Shall I take the conn, Captain?”

Jim nods after a moment and stands up, letting McCoy lead him towards the turbolift. Leonard mouths at Spock over Kirk’s shoulder, See you later. Spock nods ever-so-slightly and takes a seat in the captain’s chair.

By the time he hands over the conn to Scotty, Jim is settled in Leonard’s office with a blanket over his legs and a hot drink in hand. Spock arrives to find them laughing over some tale of misadventure.

Leonard says, looking to Spock with a smile, “Join us,” while Jim offers Spock part of his blanket. Spock appears to give no second thought to accepting either invitation.

This is how a typically bad day for Jim Kirk becomes much, much better. The end.

—

Join Us
Imagine that Leonard notices Jim and Spock are together, and when he confronts them about it (after stewing over the fact for a while), they tell him he’s welcome to join their relationship anytime. Leonard argues that he’s had his fill of romance – every relationship ended in disaster – and he’s not looking to be disappointed again. Yet he finds himself showing up occasionally where Jim and Spock are: at first joining them for meals, then on a quiet evening at the observation deck, and soon after for a leisurely shore leave. When he shows up at their shared quarters one night where they are tucked around each other in bed, Spock reading and Jim relaxing, he doesn’t say anything and they don’t either, just slide over to make room for him. This begins to happen more frequently, Leonard inviting himself over during the evenings, sharing their dinner, sometimes staying over for cuddles-that’s-not-quite-cuddling. He realizes one day that Jim and Spock’s acceptance of him was never in question; it has always been his acceptance of them. That is why it’s so easy for him to be with them at any time, and why there are no expectations. From their perspective, he is a part of them already whether he chooses to be with them or not. So, the next time Leonard goes to Jim and Spock, he decides to leave something behind, a small thing, almost a trinket. When they notice that he does this, he warns them pointedly, “Don’t move it, I’ll be back to get it.” Jim and Spock solemnly promise they will take care of it, and they do, keeping that trinket as close to their hearts as they keep Leonard for years and years to come.

—

Shipping Questionnaire
I picked up a set of shipping questions from this post that is OT3-friendly. Let’s see how this goes. This is for AOS ‘verse.

1. What were their first impressions of each other?

Jim’s first thought was that Leonard looked worse than he did and was likely going to be as out of place at Starfleet as he figured he would be. Leonard considered Jim for all of two seconds before thinking “troublemaker”, but then he decided he wasn’t in a position to judge anyone so he complained about his wayward existence after his divorce and offered the kid a drink. A few days later when Jim ran into a cleaned-up version of McCoy (who still grumbled about everything), he liked the man he saw and decided to befriend him. Leonard couldn’t shake the kid so that’s how they became friends.

They both were curious about the “pointy-eared bastard” the first time they saw Spock but it became evident throughout the remainder of the day (and the battle with Nero) that Spock was definitely a bastard sometimes (Leonard couldn’t believe he had claimed to like the guy without much thought). Jim didn’t agree with much that Spock had said or done either but by the time they had rescued Pike, he did have some appreciation for Spock’s talents. Spock’s impressions of Kirk and McCoy were respectively “reckless human” and “irritating human”, both of which he discovered were surprisingly competent. That may have intrigued him.

2. How did they interact before they got together?

The trio approach each other with professional caution at first – well, mostly Leonard and Spock do and though at times Jim is perfectly professional when the occasion demands it, he has a habit of forgetting to be both professional and cautious because Leonard is Bones, the guy he has annoyed for three years at the Academy, and Spock is sort of a friend (or a potential friend). So he is the most friendly when they interact, and by contrast Leonard and Spock are the least friendly… to each other. Sometimes, when the argument gets intense, Jim will say weird things like “so glad you two get along!” in the brightest tone, clap their shoulders and wander off, purposely leaving Spock and Leonard confused and distracted from their fight. On the other hand, when Jim and Spock argue, it is always very ugly and Leonard wedges himself in the middle to calm them down, fearing it could escalate enough to damage the friendship he sees forming between Spock and Jim. By contrast, Jim and Leonard have the smoothest friendship, especially because Jim knows by then how to avoid truly angering McCoy (the short bursts of temper don’t count). That is by far the safer option, as Leonard holds grudges for the longest time and Jim always feels lost when Leonard is angry enough not to speak to him. They aren’t always arguing with each other, though, and often can be seen sharing meals or companionable silence. Most of the crew thinks they are all best friends.

3. Who started having feelings first?

Believe it or not, Spock. But since Spock is very well-versed in ignoring his emotions when it suits him, it’s almost a defense mechanism to deny that he might enjoy the company of the captain and CMO on a deeper level than would account for the friendly professionalism he logically should express. Spock harbors/ignores these feelings for a long time, so he is not the first to confess.

4. Who confessed first?

Leonard. Once McCoy figures out his feelings, he can’t stop thinking about them, nitpicking them, until he nearly drives himself out of his own mind. That’s when he shows up at Jim’s quarters one night bearing a bottle of brandy. By the time Leonard is halfway through the bottle, Jim realizes this is not their usual get-together and something is really bothering his friend. The night ends with an eruption of emotion, mostly from Leonard who is very drunk and so confused by his more-than-platonic feelings. Unfortunately, he’s freaked out the most by liking Spock (Jim he kinda gets, the kid is too damn charming), who he should hate, hate, hate, and because he harps on this, Jim is left with the impression that Leonard’s passion is only for Spock. As a best friend should, he helps Leonard to bed, gives him a detox shot, and returns to his quarters feeling strange. It’s only after Jim Kirk wakes up in the morning following much restless sleep that it dawns on him he is jealous. Only he can’t figure out who he’s jealous of: Leonard for liking Spock and being vocal about it when Jim likes Spock, or Spock for being liked by Leonard because Jim wants Leonard to like him too. It’s kind of an “oh shit” moment that convinces Jim he would be the most terrible person in the world to take Leonard and Spock away from each other. He vows not to interfere.

—

Ready or Not
Jim thinks it’s exciting when the Enterprise is ready to leave dock. He always invites Leonard up to the Bridge for departure, and the man, grumbling under his breath but willing enough, shows up. Or so it seems. In truth, Leonard McCoy hates witnessing that moment when the ship moves out of dock and into the vast unknown. A thousand thoughts tangle up in his head, each like a little alarm, reminding him of concerns like will we make it back this time? and how did I ever think this was a good idea? But he can’t spoil the mood for everyone else, so he says nothing unless in a jest no one will take seriously. He averts his eyes and grips the back of the captain’s chair in that moment as the ship finally pulls free of the station and her engines gear up for warp. Nobody seems to notice just how uncomfortable Leonard is until one time Spock steps down from his station to stand at his side and asks quietly, “Why do you come here when you are afraid?”

Leonard can only stare at the Vulcan for a minute until the realization sinks in that his fear has never been hidden from Spock, not since day one. The Vulcan, although not quite an empath (at least on record) but obviously more attuned than he lets on, knows that the doctor would rather be anywhere else.

Leonard answers, “I’m not here for myself.”

Spock returns the stare in silence, then abruptly inclines his head and returns to the Science station.

The next time the Enterprise is ready to venture out from dock to start her exploration of the stars anew, Leonard is called to the bridge not by his captain but by the ship’s first officer. When he steps onto the upper platform of the Bridge, it’s to find Spock waiting on one side of the lift’s entrance and Kirk on the other side. Jim gives him a strange look, tinged with a mixture of guilt, understanding, and pride, before squeezing Leonard’s upper arm. He signals to Spock, who picks up a glass from the edge of the nearest station and offers it to McCoy.

“What’s this?” a baffled Leonard wants to know as he accepts it.

“Your favorite,” Jim replies. Then the man turns, moves away to the chair at the center of the bridge and settles there.
Leonard tests the drink and, shocked, looks to Spock. “Alcohol is prohibited on the bridge!”

“I believe I could make an argument this is a justified exception to the rule, Doctor.” Then Spock, too, moves toward the command chair.

No one else seems to pay McCoy any mind, even as he hurries to follow, drink sloshing slightly in his hand.

When Leonard reaches Jim and Spock, Jim orders his helmsman, “Disengage from Dock and prepare for warp.” To Leonard, he murmurs, “Better drink it fast, Bones.”

Leonard doesn’t know what else to do except obey and downs the contents in one, quick swallow that leaves a trail of fire to the pit of his stomach.

Strangely enough, what settles his nerves is not the brandy, the unspoken acknowledgement of his fear or the appreciation of his courage to face that fear for the sake of others. It’s knowing that he has the support of his friends without having to ask for it. These people with him care.

And so, for the first time, as the Enterprise thrums with energy, ready to be free among the stars, Leonard stands ready to go with her.

—

Modern Family
Imagine Jim drives the minivan like it’s a sports car and all their kids love it while Bones clutches the handles, the dash, anything really, trying not to curse but inevitably failing. The kids scream back, delighted, ‘Daddy said a bad word!’ and Spock gives Leonard AND Jim a glare while instructing their young children NOT to repeat what they heard.

When the family makes it to soccer practice in record time despite rush hour traffic, the kids tumble out of the van and run off to tell their teammates about the bad word. Spock meets with the other dads and moms at the communal snack table with all their healthy offerings (as per the assigned list for all parents, created by Spock no less who is head of the Snack Committee), only to find when he opens his picnic basket that half the contents have been eaten. He spins around in time to catch Jim slinking off to the field, using Leonard like a sight shield.

Leonard is the resident soccer team medical assistant (his credentials are sterling, all the parents agreed to that), but he’s also a “backseat coach” of his own volition which annoys the hell out of the real coach. Leonard is the one who gets fired up if he thinks his kids are being mistreated on the field while ironically it’s Jim who has to restrain him from going out there to “straighten things out”. One time, during an actual soccer game, the losing team – not their kids’ team obviously, who are regional champions – is really sore and harasses the winners. The parents are ready to intervene to break it up, Spock leading the charge, if the teams’ coaches don’t successfully bring the name-calling to a halt. But just then one of Jim, Leonard, and Spock’s kids looks up into the bleachers right at Jim, who looks way too relaxed and just offers a tiny smile and two thumbs-up. Before anyone cottons on to what’s happening next, that kid along with all her siblings head-butt the nearest bullies and tackle the rest. Chaos ensues.

“I taught them that,” Jim says proudly.

“Oh god,” Leonard mutters. “Spock’s going to kill you if we get banned from the meets!” He hurries away to administer medical aid to the weeping kids on the field – which of course is not their own children, who are high-fiving each other for a job well-done.

—

Teamwork
Imagine Jim comes upon Spock and Leonard arguing in the corridor. Naturally he tries to mediate but is ignored as Leonard and Spock continue to express their opposing opinions heatedly. Then an idea strikes, and so five minutes later he returns to the scene with his gold tunic torn and muddied in several places. He doesn’t say anything, just stands there until Leonard or Spock notices him and stops mid-sentence, thereby spurring the other one to turn and look in Jim’s direction as well.

“Captain,” Spock begins.

“What happened to you?” Leonard finishes for him, staring at Kirk with surprise.

Jim, unable to continue to appear solemn in the face of their attention, brightens and chastises them very lightly, “Gentlemen, this is no time for an argument. Clearly we have a situation on our hands!”

Spock straightens ever-so-slightly. “Situation, Captain?”

“I encountered a very unusual creature in the gardens,” is Jim’s mysterious answer as he spins around and strides down the corridor.

Spock automatically follows him, Leonard not far behind, asking his Vulcan companion in a bemused, anxious tone, “How in god’s name did he manage to find something to fight with in the middle of a star-charting assignment?”

“I do not know, Doctor,” Spock replies, “but it is clear we must find out.”

And that is a prime example of why Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock can never remember what they’re arguing about, for Jim Kirk has proven time and time again to be a sufficient, challenging, and often ingenious distraction.

—

Leonard
Leonard is flustered each time Jim or Spock uses his first name, and both men know it. Granted, it doesn’t happen often but when it does, Leonard looks like he might flee in the opposite direction except he never does. Instead he snaps out his personal tricorder and scans them from head to toe, pretending he might think they’re ill or possessed or just plain out of their minds. But again, Jim and Spock know better. Sometimes Jim will slip up behind Leonard and whisper it in the doctor’s ear. Leonard will spin around to find his friend with a most charming smile on his face – and pinch Jim for daring to tease him. Spock will just drop the word like a bomb in the middle of a conversation, looking like he’s done nothing so devastating as create an intimate moment between them. Struck speechless, Leonard always needs a moment to gather his wits (and his barbed tongue if he can manage to figure out where it went).

Thus, this is how the Captain and the First Officer play with Dr. McCoy, surreptitiously enjoying his little reactions until one day in a turbolift Leonard just meets their eyes and states, “Say that again.”

Jim looks to Spock. Spock looks to Jim.

Leonard insists, “What you just said – say it again.”

“Bones,” Jim begins, laughing a little but clearly uncertain.

Spock remains silent.

Leonard crosses his arms over his chest, then, and clarifies for their benefit, “If you’re going to call me Leonard, don’t make it a joke. Coming from you two, it means something to me.”

Curious now, Spock wants to know, “What does it mean?”

Jim’s eyes suddenly gleam. “I bet I know.”

Leonard ignores that and decides, “I’ll give you a week to figure it out.” He exits the turbolift on the deck housing Sickbay.

As the turbolift’s door closes again, Jim grins. “Mr. Spock, I hope you’re up to a challenge.”

“Of course, Captain.”

“Good. Before the week is over, I want Bones confessing to us.”

Spock tilts his head. “Achievable… if, that is, the seduction is more subtle than using his first name.”

“It got us this far, didn’t it?”

Spock just looks at him.

Jim admits, “We can probably do better.”

And so they move on to the next stage of their plan to woo the irresistible Dr. McCoy.

—

Pike
Spoiler alert for Beyond

In my headcanon, Christopher Pike officiates the marriage of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. It’s the final month of Jim’s first five-year mission and Pike is already so proud of him but even more proud that Kirk has had the courage to embrace love and a family. Chris couldn’t have picked better companions for the man he considers a son. In fact, Chris did kind of pick them because he did everything in his power to make certain McCoy and Spock stayed on the Enterprise, such as thwarting other admirals from trying to hand out special assignments to them and advising Spock after Ambassador Spock’s death that if Spock wanted to accomplish great things like his counterpart then the Enterprise was the best place to do it. After all, Chris had met Ambassador Spock a few times over the years and knew what Kirk, Spock, and McCoy didn’t – that Ambassador Spock’s room on New Vulcan was filled with photos of his times spent with his family and they were none other than Jim and Leonard. Ambassador Spock had for some reason felt compelled to share some of the personal stories behind those photos, particularly as his time neared its end and though some of the memories were fraught with danger and heartbreak, Pike was always given the impression that Ambassador Spock wanted him to know everything righted itself in the end because of his being with such special humans. After the Ambassador died, Pike packed up the belongings to send to Spock. It was difficult to decide what to include in that box, and in the end he had faith that sending the one photograph of Ambassador Spock’s crewmates and friends, all uniformed in red, would be enough to help Spock decide on the right course. The remaining photos, the more personal ones of just Ambassador Spock and his Kirk and his McCoy, Pike stowed away to keep for the right time.

That right time comes now, in the celebration after the marriage ceremony. Pike has had a holobook made of all the photos, saying quietly in Spock’s ear that the originals are already awaiting the newly bonded in their honeymoon cabin. He hopes that, when times are difficult as happens for all families, they will be reminded they have the strength to overcome their troubles, that they can always have each other if they so choose. And he adds, looking to all three men, that nothing would make him happier than for his son and two son-in-laws to make wonderful memories of their own. He can even provide them another holobook for their own, he teases.

The day of the wedding is indeed joyous for all present…

But, as my headcanon comes to an end, I remember that Into Darkness took this possibility from us. So, my friends, let’s say in yet another universe this is what happens. Pike lives and experiences the happily-ever-after of James T. Kirk, Leonard McCoy, and their Vulcan Spock.

Related Posts:

• McSpirking on my tumblr, Part V – from December 31, 2018
• McSpirking on my tumblr, Part IV – from February 10, 2017
• I Have To Share This Comment – from February 26, 2015