Old, but insanely cute

Chapter 4

It was a typical day in Florida. There were beach goers on the beach enjoying themselves while sitting in their chairs, sitting down on their beach towel, and children playing in the water. People were walking down the street. The pom trees being a nice biological decoration. There was a skate boarder going down the street alongside the league of various stores dotting the sidewalk. One moment there was a clear path and in the next there were two old men holding hands with their backsides facing him and their front side facing the street ahead. The skateboarder put his foot down slowing his speed then veered himself off to the opposite direction.

"Look at the cars, Spock," Jim said. "They look so. . ."

"Inferior and under-developed," Spock finished. "It appears that fossil fuels is their main source of oil for the time being instead of anti-gravitational power."

"Fascinating." Jim said.

"We should get ourselves a hotel room." Spock said.

"And ask someone where we are." Jim said.

"Hm," Spock said. "Excellent idea."

"Let's ask Hikaru there." Jim said, bolting forward in the direction of 'Hikaru'.

Spock appeared to be startled because Hikaru died exactly twenty-three years ago pretty much a year after Pavel died of old age. Hikaru's death was not of old age but due to a attack on a colony staged by Romulans since it was so called in their zone. It took Hilaru and five hundred thirty-three colonists against six hundred Romulans to successfully win the colony back. Hikaru risked his life to save some botanists. When the Romulans retreated, Hikaru was bleeding out leaned against the wall covering his wound. Spock had arrived for a diplomatic meeting with Jim by his side. It was a traumatic day for them both. Jim, to this day, had been blocking that memory out. Their shuttle craft crash landed that day into a ditch.

Spock had to comfort Jim after Hikaru's death.

When they came to a stop at a park bench, Spock saw a man similar to Hikaru Sulu with another man. He looked nothing like Pavel. Not even the slightest. Out of the thousand hundreds of Earth like planets with their own counterparts of the crew this one didn't have the typical status quo. Status quo was non-existent. 'Hikaru's black hair was completely gray. 'Hikaru' had one hand on the knee of his partner. They were wearing matching wedding rings so it seemed to be logical that they are partners. 'Hikaru' had a lot more lines on his face. The Hikaru that Spock knew had used modern medicine to keep the clock back unlike Pavel who enjoyed getting bald.

"Hello,Hikaru," Jim said, in front of the bench.His partner had, remarkably, brown hair. "Long time no see, can you tell us what state we are in?"

'Hikaru' turned his head around with a baffled expression on his face.

"Bill, I told you not to come unless you came not to make a diva out of yourself." 'Hikaru' said.

There was a spike of anger, insulted really, through their bond and Jim's free hand balled up into a fist briefly but then relaxed and became free. The pleasant but friendly attitude toward the man had all but faded. It was not that really welcoming. Jim was not a man to hold grudges but being insulted about his character just put him into a foul mood. Jim was the kind of man who ended arguments. He could begin an argument regarding women rights, standing up for them, and freedom. There were many principals of Star Fleet that Jim stood for, however, back in the day he abided the prime directive creatively'.

But that was over a hundred years ago.

Those days are long over.

Jim frowned.