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Fortunately, Jim only had one more class to teach after lunch since Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays were usually his lighter days. He had courses to teach all the way until seven on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

But he had to admit to feeling a little depressed and out of sorts and certainly not in the mood to try to find for that night’s dinner. And he needed groceries besides.

He stopped at the big grocery store down the street from his apartment building and got what he needed. Next store was a submarine sandwich shop so he picked up their spicy Italian after the grocery store.

Once in the hallway of the floor of his apartment building, Jim did stop off briefly outside Spock’s door and maybe did a little bit of listening. He couldn’t hear a peep, but Jim also knew that didn’t mean Spock wasn’t home. He didn’t tend to make a lot of noise.

He put his groceries away and even put the sandwich in the fridge for closer to dinner time.

Jim spent some time looking on his computer for birth defects that would cause Spock to have pointed ears and discovered one called Stahl’s Ear. His research it really didn’t hurt and most children had it fixed for cosmetic reasons when they were young. Apparently neither Spock’s parents nor Spock himself opted to have it surgically fixed.

Feeling he had now managed to educate himself somewhat, Jim got out of the search program, and went to take his shower. He often showered when he returned from work.

He was just getting out of the shower, rubbing is hair dry when there was a knock on his door.

With a shrug, Jim pulled on a loose fitting robe and went to the door, figuring it was probably just a delivery leaving a package.

But it wasn’t a package. Jim’s breath caught.

“Oh. Hey.”

Spock stood there in the hallway in front of his door wearing his knit cap over his ears and a sort of gray speckled pullover sweater.

“Hello Jim.”

Jim felt pretty naked even though he wore a robe and that was likely because Spock’s dark eyes were unmistakably raking him over. His tongue came out, traced his lips.

“Dinner will be served at seven. You may come over a few minutes earlier should you wish to.”

For a moment, Jim simply stared like a gaping fish, he guessed. And he suddenly realized, somewhere in his brain where he could still think, that if he went, “What? Are we still doing that?”, it would be the absolute worst thing he could do.

Play it cool, Jim.

He smiled. “Okay. I’ll be there.” When once more Spock’s gaze seemed to stray over Jim, he cleared his throat. “Uh, with clothes on.”

Spock’s gaze rose to his face and he seemed startled by Jim’s words. He nodded.

“Yes, I will see you.”

Spock turned and headed back to his own place.

Jim smiled and closed his own door. Things were looking up!