Title: Ready, Set, RUN! (9/9)
Author: klmeri
Fandom: Star Trek AOS
Characters: Kirk, Spock, McCoy
Summary: Playtime!verse one-shot, set between Playtime and The Good Life. Pike spends a weekend with the boys.
Previous Part: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Previous part posted two days ago. Please read first if you have not!

Part Nine

“Chris, I’m actually impressed.”

Pike’s side-long glance at his friend is full of cynicism. “You mean you’re surprised that I haven’t burnt down the kitchen.”

“Precisely.” Jon grins as he automatically reaches out to stop Jimmy from licking the remnants of chocolate chip cookie dough off of a spoon without looking at the kid.

Pike levels a hard stare at Kirk from across the kitchen. “Cookie dough goes in the oven, not the mouth, son. You can eat what’s left-over once we’ve filled up the trays.”

Lenny, who is perched across from Kirk with his own bowl of dough (peanut butter cookies, because McCoy insists that peanut butter is better than chocolate), tells Pike somewhat off-handedly, “This stuff’s gonna end up in my digestive tract anyway, so what’s the point of heatin’ it up?” He sticks a dough covered finger in his mouth to prove his point. “Tastes good already, Mr. Pike.”

“At the proper temperature, a chemical reaction of the—”

McCoy breaks into Spock’s lecture with a heavy sigh.

The Vulcan blinks. “If you are familiar with the purpose of the traditional oven, Leonard, you might have indicated this.”

With a roll of his eyes, the boy smacks his spoon into his bowl with loud whap‘s. “‘Course I know what an oven’s for! It bakes stuff and Ma said it’s dangerous to play with ‘cuz it can bake people too.”

Jimmy stops stirring the contents of his bowl like a mini turbo-blender and perks up. “Can it bake Mr. Joe?”

Lenny considers this. “Yeah.”

Kirk is off of his stool and gone in a flash. Pike has already positioned himself in a defensive stance in front of the oven by the time the boy reappears. In Jimmy’s hand is a G.I. Joe action figure.

Archer snickers into his glass of iced tea—which Pike suspects is laced with something strong and un-tea-like. “Why the hell is that thing missing a leg?” the man wants to know.

Pike answers, eyes fixed on Kirk who bounces around the other side of the table to show Lenny his mauled toy, “Leonard declared that it had to be amputated after an incident with my lawn mower.”

He recalls that day with crystal clarity. Winona was supposed to be watching the two boys one afternoon some months ago while Pike painstakingly mowed his back lawn so that it was presentable by Winona’s standards. Then the machine had given a chug or two and died. G.I. Joe (definitely not an object belonging to Pike) barely survived extrication from the blades—not to mention that his lawn mower now cuts the grass at a noticeable slant. Jimmy, upon seeing the state of Mr. Joe, had looked devastated. McCoy had taken it from his friend with a surprising gentleness and said, “He’ll live but we gotta take his leg.”

So the right leg was wrenched off, Mr. Joe didn’t die after all, and Kirk was a lot happier.

Pike is brought back to the present by Spock’s frowning eyebrows.

“It is illogical to place a polymer compound under extreme heat. The integrity shall be compromised.”

Jimmy says, as he gives his toy a hard thwack against the edge of the table, “If he goes in the oven, he’ll get bigger!”

“Negative,” argues the Vulcan, who then launches into a detailed and very scientific explanation of what happens to plastic in the oven.

McCoy nods along with Spock. “Mr. Joe’ll die in there, Jimmy. It ain’t a good idea.”

Kirk looks between the two boys. Then with a reluctant acceptance, the child balances his action figure against his glass of milk and climbs back on to his stool. Pike relaxes.

One call to the fire department averted.

“Mr. Pike, I have completed exactly two hundred and fifty full rotations of the mixture. It is now ready.” Spock presents his bowl of dough to the adult. Pike leads the Vulcan over to an already lined baking tray and asks him to fit as many as spoonfuls as possible on the tray. Spock takes a minute to calculate the optimal number of cookies which can be produced in relation to the volume of the dough, size specifications of the tray, and projected diameter of the once-baked cookies. He then proceeds to shape precise two-inch balls of dough and places them in even rows along the tray.

Jimmy is the next one to approach, ready to ladle out his chocolate chip cookie dough. Pike says nothing at the distinct difference in amount of cookie dough compared to Spock’s, or the smear of chocolate on the end of Kirk’s nose.

Lenny pokes Pike in the back with his spoon. “Gimme a tray, Mr. Pike.”

Some minutes later, Pike accepts the completely filled tray from McCoy with a raised eyebrow. The boy informs him, “My mama makes peanut butter cookie bars,” as if it is ludicrous to do otherwise.

“Mamas know best,” Chris replies with a wink. “Jimmy, your mother will be home soon. Have you packed?”

Kirk is wide-eyed. He shakes his head.

“Do you think you can go pack now that we’ve made cookies?”

Again, a shake of that blond head.

Pike rubs his forehead. He asks Spock and Lenny, “Have either of you packed?”

Spock’s look of indignation clearly means To question my habits is illogical. “Yes, Admiral.”

Lenny fixes his gaze elsewhere and rocks back on his heels. “Jimmy hid my bag, and he’ll have ta give it back.” McCoy turns a slightly hopeful face to Pike. “Or I can stay.”

“Bones can stay!” Kirk is, simply put, pleased at this turn of events.

After escorting the two boys to Jimmy’s room, while Archer and Spock (mostly Spock because he is more responsible of the two) are left behind to watch the cookies in the oven, Pike eventually pries out a confession from Kirk—and Lenny, who had helped—that the missing bag of clothes is stuffed deep into Pike’s laundry basket. Said-bag is retrieved, McCoy is then told to pack with Jimmy doing the same, and that Mr. Pike will come back to take their bags to the front door.

Spock passes Pike in the hallway and remarks, “I suggest that you turn off the oven in fifteen point three nine six minutes. I will return seven minutes thereafter; at that time, the cookies shall be an appropriate temperature for consumption.”

“Duly noted, Spock.”

The Vulcan nods and disappears into Jimmy’s room.

Archer is lounging at the kitchen table, eyes closed. Pike fixes himself a glass of tea (minus the alcoholic content) and sits next to his friend.

“You might as well let the boy keep the room, Pike. He’s going be living here soon enough anyhow.”

Christopher almost chokes on his tea. “Excuse me?”

“I’m just saying… why bother to make him pack? Hell, Winona has already left a year’s worth of clothes in your closet. When a woman does that, she’s signaling for a long-term relationship. Jimmy may be young, but if his mama keeps things here, you can be damn sure he will do it too.”

And Pike had thought that he kept finding the boy’s socks under the couch because Jimmy hated wearing anything on his feet and liked to hide them when Winona wasn’t watching. Of course, that explanation—the hiding of evil socks—doesn’t work when he recalls finding Jimmy’s favorite bathing toys (he had wondered why the pillow on his bed was lumpier than usual and squeaked) or the surprise in his coat closet—Kirk’s Captain uniform, consisting of a yellow shirt with CAPTAIN in black marker written on the front and a small cowboy hat.

Pike fights down the color rising in his face. “I do like having them here.”

Jon opens his eyes and looks at his friend. “I know you do, old son.” Then he sighs dramatically. “‘Sides, this place could use the extra people. I mean, do you realize how bored I get when I come over and find only you and a sad little bowl of popcorn? Shouting at a football game isn’t nearly as fun if a woman isn’t around to yell at you to keep the noise down.” Archer finishes with “You’ve been flying solo for much too long, Christopher.”

“Not as long as you.”

“Yeah,” agrees the man. “Last relationship I had, the girl said it was her or the job.” Jon sips at his drink. “She thought teaching was a dead end—crap salary and hobnobbing with ordinary folk.”

“Both of those things are generally true.”

Jonathan nods. “And entirely irrelevant most of the time. That’s why I dumped her. But, Pike, Winona is great. You’d be a fool to let her slip through your fingers.”

Pike knows that—and Jon knows that he knows. So… “Whatever plan your pitiful brain has concocted, the answer is no, Jon.”

“C’mon! There’s only one way to ask for a girl’s hand in marriage—”

“How about ‘Will you marry me?'”

Jon punches Pike’s arm. “I mean how you do it, fool. I was thinking…”

Pike listens to the words “bungee jumping” and “romantic mid-air declaration of love” and has little doubt of why Archer remains single.

“Mr. Pike! Cookies ready?”

Jimmy runs in and slings a small backpack across the kitchen floor. It hits the footboard of the counter. Kirk has already skidded to a stop at the oven. When the eager child starts to pull on the oven door, Pike is there to place one hand over the small ones and halt their progress. “I’ll check the cookies if you promise to sit at the table like a good boy.”

Once Jimmy has climbed into Pike’s hastily vacated chair, the adult takes a peek in the oven. A little while longer and they will be nicely browned.

“Now?” implores the boy, swinging his feet.

“Almost. Where’s Lenny and Spock?”

“I don’t know.” Kirk smiles in a lopsided way that terrifies Pike.

“Jonathan, watch him.”

Pike is saluted with a glass of scotch-tea. “Check the dryer first.”

He isn’t sure whether or not the man is joking. If the boys aren’t in any obvious places, then the dryer certainly might be the next place that he looks.

“Lenny?” They aren’t in the bathroom playing water-park.

“Spock?” They aren’t in the living room hand-painting the walls.

“Leonard!” They aren’t in the backyard destroying the rest of the fence.

“Sp—”

Spock walks out of Pike’s bedroom. “Greetings, Admiral. If you will follow me, the conference begins momentarily.”

Chris enters the bedroom on the Vulcan’s heels like a dumb sheep. Lenny is perched on the edge of his bed with his small hands resting on his knees. McCoy orders “Sit down” and points to a chair opposite of him.

When Pike does not move, the Vulcan repeats Lenny’s words as if Christopher is a bit slow. “Please be seated, Mr. Pike.”

Pike sits down. The baby Vulcan casts a menacing shadow to his right.

McCoy begins. “We like Jimmy.”

“I’m sure Jimmy likes you both as well,” replies Pike. He realizes belatedly that Leonard is holding the engagement ring for Winona. “Lenny, that’s not a toy. Please hand that to me.”

“It ain’t a toy and I ‘n Spock ain’t stupid.” The boy sniffs indignantly. “I said we like Jimmy. And Jimmy likes you. So we like you too.”

Huh?

“Jimmy,” McCoy goes on to say, “is expectin’ you to marry Ms. Kirk.”

“We require confirmation of your intentions,” finishes the Vulcan.

Pike stares incredulously between the two children.

“Mr. Pike, it’s real important,” prompts Lenny in a quiet voice.

He clears his throat. “I, uh, I am… glad to know that you boys want to look out for Jimmy. Let’s just say—” Pike leans in and lowers his voice, “—that I would be honored to be Jimmy’s father. But the decision is Ms. Kirk’s, not mine. I hope you understand.”

They don’t seem concerned about Winona’s feelings. Neither did Archer. Pike is uncertain if this makes him feel better or worse.

The man is summarily released from interrogation. As Pike stands up, he muses aloud, “What if I had said no?”

Spock answers serenely, “I would have implemented actions which Leonard labels as incentives to change your mind.”

Pike watches as McCoy slides from the bed and, without a word, stares back at the adult with a bland expression. He tries to imagine any version of Leonard McCoy’s “incentives” which doesn’t include a scary outcome for Pike. He fails.

The boys lead the way back to the kitchen where they find Jimmy with cookie crumbles down the front of his shirt and a smile on his face. Archer is whistling innocently as he reads a newspaper. Pike spies three plates of cookies (and cookie bars)—chocolate chip, peanut butter, and sugar respectively. He doesn’t bother to ask who took them out of the oven. There are some things which are better left a mystery, for the sake of his nerves.

Spock approves of the texture and visual appeal of the sugar cookies. Leonard places one peanut butter bar on a napkin for himself, then puts another one on Kirk’s plate, and hands a third to Spock who accepts it graciously.

Everyone enjoys the sweet treats except Pike; he is simply content to watch the boys. When the kitchen comm unit gives an insistent little beep, he abandons the moment of bliss to answer it.

“Chris, we just landed.” Winona grins at him, her nose red from sunburn and her hair flyaway; she looks beautiful. “How are the boys?”

“In one piece.”

She laughs. “Are you in one piece as well?”

He pats himself. “I think so.”

“Mama!” Jimmy starts to climb Pike’s leg so he lifts the boy up. Jimmy puts the remaining half of a cookie in his mouth and then starts talking, crumbs and words alike mixed together.

She seems to understand his babbling. “Yes, I’m coming home. Jimmy, chew first. I love you too.”

A voice says from Pike’s side, “Ms. Kirk, is my mother well?”

Winona turns her attention to the Vulcan. “She’s fine, Spock. We had a lovely time—and you will see her shortly.”

Spock thanks Jimmy’s mother for the information and goes back to the kitchen table. Pike puts Jimmy down and shoos him away. When he turns back to Winona, her smile is soft. “I missed you both,” she tells him.

“We missed you too.” After a moment, he adds, “I will call Mrs. McCoy and let her know to collect her son. Can we expect you in about an hour?”

“Amanda drives like a wild woman—forty-five minutes.” They say their goodbyes and Pike cuts the transmission.

He glances at the kids and Archer. Jimmy is chattering as Spock stacks the cookies in an organized manner and Lenny surreptitiously feeds Porthos a cookie under the table. Jonathan catches his gaze and winks.

Pike calls Mrs. McCoy. The woman answers, looks him over once, and remarks, “I can pick Lenny up this evening, if the boys want a little more time together.”

He smiles gratefully. “Thank you. Why don’t you and Dr. McCoy have dinner with us?”

“David’s working tonight but I would love to accept.”

Once they arrange a time, Pike re-joins the group at the table. Jimmy looks at him expectantly. He tells the boy, “They can stay until after dinner.”

Well, he thinks, at least I can make him happy.

And Jimmy does seem that way, as he eagerly pokes Lenny and cries “Bones, let’s go outside!” who mumbles something sarcastic around the cookie in his mouth. To Spock, Captain Kirk asks, “Can you move him?”

Pike spends the next couple of minutes trying to make a baby Vulcan put down a chair with a boy still sitting in it who is shouting “Hey! I’m Chief Medical Officer! I cain’t be treated this way!” Kirk runs out of the kitchen calling for Spock to hurry along with Bones. Archer laughs so hard that he cries.

When Winona and Amanda do arrive, they are sympathetic to the prone Christopher Pike in the living room. There is a washcloth over his eyes, Porthos napping on his feet, and bottle of brandy balanced precariously on his stomach. He says, without moving too many aching muscles (who knew mini-Vulcans could swing chairs like baseball bats?), “They’re outside with Jon. I quit until dinnertime.”

Winona pulls the washcloth off of his face and leans down to kiss him.

“Thank you, Chris.”

He accepts the kiss and the thank you, knowing in his heart that there will be many, many more days like this to come in his—their—future.

And that’s perfectly okay with Pike.

-Fini

It was lovely to re-visit this world. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did!

Related Posts:

• Ready, Set, RUN! (8/?) – from February 16, 2011
• Ready, Set, RUN! (7/?) – from February 10, 2011
• Ready, Set, RUN! (6/?) – from February 3, 2011
• Ready, Set, RUN! (5/?) – from January 31, 2011
• Ready, Set, RUN! (4/?) – from January 23, 2011