Archive of Our Own ^beta

 "You are acting illogically," Spock said with the same stone tone as he watched Leonard jam his fingers into the console by the door. Leonard was getting frustrated for multiple reasons. After three years of being friends and colleagues, he still couldn't figure out Spock's tells. How Jim could tell what the Vulcan was thinking or feeling was a mystery to him. He was also pissed off at the fucking door for locking them in the lab room.

"How am I being illogical, Spock?" Leonard said with a slightly raised voice. They were in too small a room to really shout.

"Your anger is illogical," Spock corrected, "These events happen periodically."

"I'm not angry. I'm frustrated," Leonard said, "Joanna's parent-teacher conference is in an hour. I get enough crap from Jocelyn for being up here and missing a lot. I don't need to add this to the list that makes me feel like shit," Leonard said as he continued to jam his fingers into the device that was supposed to open the stupid door .

"I do not mind if you take the call while we are trapped," Spock explained, pulling a chair out. Might as well sit and wait.

"I don't think Jo will want an audience. We'll be talking about personal stuff," Leonard took the stool opposite Spock. His leg began to bounce immediately.

"I see," Spock watched the leg and wondered what he could say to make his friend feel better. "It cannot be easy being a father on a starship while your child is struggling on Earth."

"There aren't any parenting books that tell you how to parent a kid from space. I should write one. A Hundred Things of What Not to do When You're Three Thousand Lightyears From Home," Leonard sarcastically said, huffing a laugh and rubbing his forehead. "We try, though. We have holovids at least once a week, but it's not the same."

"I imagine not," Spock was pleased that he seemed to be calming down, "I remember missing my father a great deal while he was away."

"You're not making me feel better, Spock," Leonard looked like he was in pain.

"I also cherish the time we spent together when he was home," Spock said, "We experienced our hardships later."

"I wish we could spend time together, but we're rarely home long enough for me to visit. I have to fight Jocelyn every time I do get the chance."

"She does not let you visit your daughter?"

"You don't know? That's odd," Leonard said cocking an eyebrow in confusion, "Jocelyn and I got divorced six months prior to me joining Starfleet. It was my fault."

"How so?" 

"I'll keep it short and simple. I cheated on Jocelyn, and she was rightfully pissed off. I didn't put up much of a fight during the divorce or custody battle. How could I? Her family runs the best law firm in Mississippi. They made up a bunch of lies about me, and I couldn't prove all of them wrong."

"What sort of lies?" Of course, a Vulcan who can't lie would be curious about them.

"Oh, what were they? My personal favorite was that I cheated on her with a bunch of people, which was false. It was one woman, one time. I owned up to that, and I can't apologize enough to make her or myself feel better. My other favorite was that I drank a lot and would become violent. That was proven false by Joanna, unfortunately. I did start drinking more after my pa died, but it wasn't that bad. I never drank at work and had one drink whenever my colleagues and I went out after work. I would have a few at night, but not every night–"

"Leonard, you do not need to defend yourself with me. I believe you. I have come to know you well enough to understand that you are a good man," Spock said, reaching a hand over to pat his knee. "Joanna is lucky to have you as a father."

"Thank you, Spock," Leonard was going to say something else, but Spock's communicator interrupted him. 

"Mr. Spock."

"Mr. Scott. Please, tell us you have good news," Spock said, holding his device out so Leonard could hear.

"I wish I did, laddies. Sorry to tell yah, but it looks like the door will be stuck for another hour," Scotty said.

"Dammit!" Leonard shouted, stood, and threw his hands in the air. Spock flinched.

"Can you have the captain contact me when he is available? The sooner, the better," Spock said, hating that his voice trembled.

"Aye, laddy. Let us know if either of you needs anything," Scotty said. 

"Thank you, Mr. Scott."

"Fuck!" Leonard shouted and kicked the nearest thing.

"I know you are upset–"

"You're damn right I'm upset! Just once, I would like the universe to give me a fucking break," Leonard turned on his heel to pace down the narrow row but stopped when he noticed the Vulcan. Spock was sitting on his stool, still, greener than usual, with round brown eyes close to tears.

"Spock?" Leonard was slow in his approach, "Are you okay, buddy?"

"I am well, doctor," Spock said, fighting the lie.

"And I'm the tooth fairy," Leonard crouched in front of Spock when he refused to meet his eyes. "You're not gonna be sick on me, are yah?"

"No, I," Spock cleared his throat, "It is nothing."

"To hell, it ain't," Leonard rubbed Spock's calf, "Was it me? I didn't mean to shout so loud. I'm sorry."

Spock finally looked at Leonard, fighting back the tears, and unclenched his jaw, "I have grown accustomed to your outbursts. It was more of what you did."

"What did I do?" Leonard sat back on his heels and thought back. He stood up quickly and threw his hands …." Oh shit. Did you think I was gonna hit you?"

Spock nodded numbly, "I know you will not, but it reminded me of my childhood and of my tormentors."

"Little Spock got picked on, huh?" Leonard asked, "Because you're half-human?"

"Correct. The other children would attempt to goat me into displaying emotions by disrespecting not just myself but my parents. One went as far as to call my father a traitor for marrying my mother. That same boy called my mother a whore," Spock was pushing his thumb into the palm of his hands.

"Wow. I would have beat the shit outta them if they called my mama a whore," Leonard said. Spock smiled at the irony.

"I often had to prove my worth. I had to work harder because of my human lineage. For every top grade I received, the more I was beaten by my peers," Spock said, "I struggled more than most. I inherited my mother's dyslexia. With that and the bullying, I did not have many friends."

"I'm so sorry, darlin'," Leonard cradled Spock's face with one of his hands. "I'm sorry for makin' you remember somethin' like that. I'll do better about controlling my temper. Around you, at least. I feel like Jim doesn't learn anything if I don't yell at him."

"That is a fair assessment," Spock said, leaning into Leonard's touch. "I accept your apology as well."

It was the first time Spock witnessed Leonard's genuine smile. It made wrinkles appear at the corner of his eyes and made his cheeks rounder. Something inside Spock clicked. A chill ran up his spine when Leonard withdrew his hand and stood.

"How did you handle–"

Spock's communicator interrupted Leonard again, which he found annoying. He couldn't believe he had forgotten his in his office.

"Hello, captain."

"Hey, Spock, have you two killed each other yet?"

"Not yet, no. Give it time," Spock said, shocking Leonard with a small smile.

"Scotty told me to call you."

"Yes. Leonard was hoping you could take his place during his daughter's parent-teacher conference," Spock replied.

"I am?" Leonard asked in the background.

Spock glanced at him with a pointed look, and Leonard shrugged, turning away to give Spock and Jim privacy.

"That's not a problem," Jim said, "Is there anything I need to know?"

"Huh?" Leonard looked at Spock nervously, "She's struggling with reading and understanding most things. Jocelyn got her tested, and she has an audio-processing disorder. The teacher, Mrs. Davis, wants to discuss the steps we can take to help Jo. There's also this bully. I think the little shit's name is Rebecca. Incidents have been happening all year, and they've been documenting everything and have taken steps to protect Jo. Something happened two weeks ago."

"Jesus, Bones. Why didn't you tell me? I would have let you go home."

"I know, but we were fighting the Andorian Flu outbreak," Leonard reminded, "I couldn't take that home. Jo and I had a long talk about it the minute the vomiting and the hallucinations stopped."

"What happened?" Jim asked with his game face on. 

"Rebecca stole her inhaler and locked Jo in the janitor's closet. She had an asthma attack and almost died."

"I've got you covered, Bones. I'll have a full report for you as soon as Scotty gets the door fixed."

"Thanks, Jim. I appreciate this," Leonard said, "Give 'em hell for me."

"Absolutely. Uncle Kirk out."

There was a moment of silence before Spock moved from his seat to hug Leonard. He debated on physical contact, but judging by the deep creases in his forehead and the rise in his broad shoulders, Leonard was highly stressed. 

"This is weird," Leonard said but returned the hug. "Not that I don't mind. Don't tell anyone, but I actually like hugs."

"I promise not to tell a soul," Spock said, "I'm sorry about your daughter. Has she recovered?"

"Jo is a strong cookie," Leonard said, "I was able to monitor her condition from here and laid into the girl's parents during the conference call after Jocelyn threatened to press charges."

"Joanna is a fortunate girl," Spock said, "Is that what you wanted to ask me before Jim called? How I confronted my bullies?"

"Yea."

"I beat them up."

Leonard wrenched back, "You did not."

"I broke the leader's nose and dislocated his shoulder. They did not bother me after that," Spock said, "I suspect that you do not want Joanna to resort to violence."

"I don't, but I wouldn't get mad if she did to defend herself," Leonard said, "Thank you, Spock."

"For what? I did not do anything."

"You listened to me bitch and complained," Leonard had to tilt his head to meet Spock's eyes, "That means the world to me."

"Then I am happy to be of service," Spock said and refused to release Leonard when the doctor began to pull away.

"Why aren't you lettin' go?" Leonard laughed softly.

"You are warm," Spock proved his point by embracing Leonard harder.

"I didn't even think about how chilly it is in here. Are you alright?" Leonard asked, quickly switching into doctor mode. He didn't think the room was that cold, but it must've felt like early spring in Iowa to a Vulcan. 

"What can I do to help?"

"Allow me to hold you a little longer, please," Spock requested, "You are surprisingly warm for a human. Are you always like this?"

"My mama said it's because I was born on the hottest day in Atlanta," Leonard said, "I know that's a load of hooey, but it's a nice thought."

"I must agree," Spock said, pushing his cheek into Leonard's hair. He smelled pleasant, like smoky lavender and mint. 

"Hey, let's switch positions. You'll get warmer faster if I hold you," Leonard was already standing before Spock could protest. Spock took his seat and immediately buried his face into Leonard's chest. He had to admit, the doctor was right. With surprisingly strong arms wrapped around his pointed ears, Spock's most susceptible part of his body, he warmed up quickly. Spock settled into the man, sighing with relief. 

"Don't fall asleep on me," Leonard chuckled, "I'm not strong enough to hold you up."

"I promise not to do so," Spock replied.