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Jim went home to shower since what he needed for his classes was there anyway and as he was came out of the bathroom with only a tower around his waist, Bones waited for him and thrust a steaming hot cup of coffee into his hand.

“Thank God. Just the way I like it.”

“Mm. Hot enough to burn your insides. Which is terrible for you, of course.”

Jim smiled. “Of course.”

“Where have you been? Not that it’s any of my business, yada yada.”

“Where I said I was. It was kind of late when we finished playing chess and I didn’t feel like walking by myself back to campus in the cold windy dark. Getting close to October you know. Who knows what ghoulies might be out there.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And I slept on the couch.”

“So what are your plans today?”

“Classes all day,” Jim told him, taking a sip of coffee.

“Dinner?”

“Er. I have another chess match when classes are over.”

Bones nodded, seeming unfazed. “Signed up for a lot of those, did you?”

“Well, you know. The more you win, the more others want to compete against you.”

“I wouldn’t know. Chess bores the crap outta me. Who are you playing today?”

Now here’s where Jim had to be careful. He didn’t think admitting he was going to be playing with ChessMaster again was a wise thing to do. Bones would definitely be wondering what was up. And sticking his big nose into things. But he didn’t want to exactly lie to Bones either.

“I’ll have to look on the board later,” Jim hedged.

“Going to spend the night with this one too?”

He laughed. “Well, I mean you never know. I’ll let you know if I’ll be out all night. Have a good day, Bones.”

“I’ve got ten tests. How can I have a good day?” Bones grumbled as he left.

Jim checked his communicator.

You made it back to your dorm?   

Jim smiled.

Yes, see you later!