James T. Kirk

Chapter 23: It's Only Rock 'n Roll

Chapter 23: It's Only Rock 'n Roll

"Are you sure this is the right room?" Jim asked Bones as they stood outside the door of one of the largest suites in the Stewart Towers. Their room was a floor below, not quite as grand but the queen of daytime put her guests up in luxury. Leonard had tried to talk Jim out of paying the difference to upgrade to a slightly larger suite so they had two bedrooms but there was no stopping him. Not that Leonard was especially surprised by his stubbornness.

"Yes it's the right room," Bones groused. "See," he said, holding up his cell phone, showing Jim the text he had gotten ten minutes earlier.

"Okay," Jim agreed, waiting as Bones knocked on the door. Jim was bouncing on his toes, Bones shaking his head in affectionate amusement.

"Would you calm the hell down? You aren't marrying him."

"Shut up," Jim said, waiting as the door was opened by Todd.

"Jim. Leonard. Come in," Todd said with a smile, moving out of the way so they could enter the suite. It was practically overflowing, members of the band on the chairs, couch, one on floor in front of the fire.

"Jim," Chillie said, standing as they entered further. "Leonard. Lilly can't stopped talking about you. You're going to have to marry her."

"My pleasure. I look forward to it," Bones laughed.

"Sherry can't believe it's turned into every Wednesday night," Chillie said. "You're sure they won't wear out their welcome?"

"They couldn't possibly," Leonard assured him. "Beside, Hikaru and Pavel would be devastated. They finally have playmates."

Chillie had to laugh at that, shaking his head. "Glad to know the kids are coming in handy. And I should have known y'all know ALS."

"Bucky is really good at it for being so young," Leonard said.

"He sends me at least one email every day talking about being at your house. Especially about the two of you. And Miss Nyota. He's completely in love," Chillie laughed.

"We all are," Jim agreed with a smile.

"Let me introduce you to the guys," Chillie said, waving at those gathered. "This is Larry Garrison our bassist, Darryl Clark our drummer, Darryl Young keyboards, and Yvonne Butler percussions and vocals."

Each member of the band shook hands with Jim and Leonard as Chillie named them. Jim already knew who they each were and their roles with the band. He also knew that Yvonne was married to Darryl Clark and that they had been together for at least 15 years. They had four children, who sometimes stayed with Sherry and sometimes with Yvonne's parents.

It was rumored that Larry Garrison and Darryl Young were in a long-term relationship but they never stated publicly whether or not it was true. Too many of their fans were completely enamored of them both so they kept any relationship they may or may not have as low-key as possible.

The band was delighted to meet Jim, and by extension, Leonard. Leonard took their milder interest in him in stride, watching Jim enjoy meeting some of his real-life heroes, people who felt for him what he felt for them. It all seemed so normal to Leonard and that was saying something about what constituted 'normal' in their lives.

"So I have Blackhawk tickets for tomorrow," Chillie told Jim before turning to Leonard. "Do you want to go?"

"Thank you, no," Leonard said politely. "I've never been a fan of hockey."

"Me neither," Yvonne agreed, smiling broadly at Leonard. "My Darryl loves it. Larry does too but not Darryl Y. We're going to The Art Institute tomorrow. Do you want to come with us?"