Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

“I’m sorry, Mom.  She went quick? That’s good.”

Jim was wandering around a quad area just off the biology building at Starfleet Academy. His mother had informed him that his great-aunt had passed away the day before. In all honesty Jim hadn’t seen her since he was a small boy and he hadn’t known her well, but his mother had. They had been close at one time.

“You need anything? Want me to come home? I could probably get a few days. Okay, just let me know.” Jim looked around the empty quad as he spoke into his communication device. “I was supposed to meet someone but looks like they aren’t coming.” He laughed. “No, not a date. This was a chess hookup with a club here at school. Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow. Bye.”

He rechecked the instructions about meeting at the quad by the biology building and the time it was supposed to be. Yep, stood up. Over a chess game.

Jim turned around and came face to face with a tall Vulcan male dressed all in black. His heart skipped a beat.

“Uh.”

An eyebrow shot up.

“Are you too sexy?”

Jim’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

The Vulcan huffed a slight breath. “Your information. Are you Toosexy?”

“Oh.” Jim licked his bottom lip and laughed. For a second he’d forgotten he’d used that silly nickname. “You must be ChessMaster.”

“Indeed. I apologize for being tardy. I was forced to deal with a classroom situation.”

Right. Now Jim knew who this was. Commander Spock. Jim had no classes with him but Bones did and complained non-stop about what an asshole the instructor was.

“Are you ready to play a match, Toosexy?”

Jim cleared his throat. “You probably should call me Jim. Jim Kirk.”

“Very well, Jim. Jim Kirk.”

Jim laughed. “You’re pretty funny.”

Spock’s lips twitched slightly. “I am quite sure no one has ever mentioned that before. My name is Spock.”

“Cool. I’m ready to trounce you.”:

“I am also quite sure that you will not.”

“Oh you are so on.” Jim started walking toward the hall that the chess club held matches in, but he stopped mid-stride when he noticed Spock…”Hey. Are you checking out my ass?”

Spock shrugged, unconcerned. “I believe that I am.”

Jim chuckled. This day was definitely starting to look up.     

(likely to be continued)