A continuation
Leonard “Bones” McCoy, Jim’s friend and dorm roommate, looked frazzled when Jim got home later that day. He wasn’t particularly concerned as Bones usually wore that look.
“Hey.”
Bones scowled. “Hey yourself. I’ve got a million tests to study for. I ordered a pizza. Should be here any moment.”
“Oh.” Jim nodded. “Good. But I won’t be here.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“I’ve got a chess match.”
His friend’s frown deepened. “I thought that was this afternoon.”
Jim smiled. “It was. But this is a rematch because I creamed the other player.”
“Hmm. Still a chess match at dinner time?”
“We’re, uh, going to eat too.”
Jim was well aware Bones was not a fan of Professor Spock. He hoped to keep Spock’s name out of this conversation.
“Eat? Is it a date?”
Jim laughed. “What? No. No, of course not. Just a chess match. And some food. With the other player.”
Bones stared at him for a moment. “What’s the player’s name?”
“Chess Master.”
“Pretty arrogant.”
“Yeah, but for a good reason.”
“Yet you won the match.”
“Well, you have to be pretty spectacular to beat me,” Jim said with a wink and a laugh.
Bones snorted. “Do they have a real name?”
“I’m sure they do. Doesn’t everyone? We’re keeping things pretty…on point. Chess Master and…”
His friend arched both brows.
“My alias,” Jim said smoothy.
“I probably don’t want to know.”
“You definitely don’t. Anyway, sorry, Bones. Raincheck on the pizza. If there’s any left I’ll have some for breakfast.”
“You’re being pretty evasive. Something you’re not telling me?’
“What? No.”
“What gender is Chess Master?”
“Male.”
“Species?”
Jim laughed. “What? Um. Human.” Which wasn’t a total lie. Spock was half.
“Be careful.”
“It’s just a chess match, Bones.”
“Not a damn date.”
Jim flashed a smile. “Nope.” He patted Bones’ arm. “Gotta get going. See you later.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 