This month begins a series of flashes for The Original Series. I don’t know know how often I will post, it will be to my whim, honestly. But here is the first one. Some of these are going to be “pre-slash” as I use some series episodes.

If Spock was surprised to see him, he didn’t show it. He just stood back and let Jim in to his quarters.

Jim had a moment where he wondered why he’d come himself. But he had to get this out, he guessed.

The door slid closed after him and he stood rather awkwardly there. He spotted a chess set up where Spock had clearly been playing against the computer. He’d played Spock a few times in the rec room, but never privately.

“How’s the game going?” he asked.

“I am winning.”

Jim smiled. “Of course you are, Mister Spock.”

“You wanted to say something?”

“I wanted to…thank you.”

“Thank me, sir?”

Jim nodded. “For saving my life. When that…creature attacked me, I froze. I didn’t know how to fight against it. It was sucking the salt out and…”

“You are welcome,” Spock said. “But, of course, I merely did my duty as your first officer.”

Jim smiled faintly. “Yes, of course, your duty.”

“Any capable officer would attempt to save their captain,” Spock said calmly.

“I know. But if you hadn’t come along, I would be dead. McCoy was not able to react rationally in that moment.”

“He saw only Nancy.”

“Yeah. So…thank you. Again.” He slid his gaze off of Spock, feeling awkward and uncomfortable, and it landed on the chess set. “If it wouldn’t disrupt your match with the computer, care to challenge me, Spock?”

Spock nodded. “It would not. If you will give me a moment, I’ll set things up.”

“Of course. Thank you, Mister Spock.”

Spock didn’t respond to that, but he did move to set up the game, and after a time, Jim moved in to begin.