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Flash Fiction Mondays

Flash Fic, November 16, 2020

A Continuation from 11/13

“They’re just migraines, babe. Nothing at all to worry about,” Jim assured Spock as he sat on the edge of the exam table.  

“I will be the judge of that.”

Bones snorted. “Actually I will.” Bones ran a medical scanner over Jim. “When did these headaches start, Jim?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Spock sniffed. “Three weeks ago. He has them nearly every day.”

“Traitor,” Jim muttered.

“Mmm.”

“Let me put you through some tests.”

“Can’t you just give me a shot or something?”

“We’ll see.”

“You coming Saturday?”

Bones rolled his eyes. “You know I am. Pie in hand.”

Spock frowned. “Another pie?”

Jim nodded. “Bones and I are having a pie making contest. Whoever makes the best pie is king of the pies.”

“And?”

Jim looked at him. “That’s it. They just get the title of king of the pies.”

“Illogical.”

“Your granny,” Bones cracked.

Spock sighed. “Is this an apple pie contest?”

“Yep,” Bones replied. “Nobody makes a better apple pie than the McCoy family recipe. You’ll see, Jim. You’ll be crying all Saturday afternoon.”

“You wish.”

“Why would Doctor McCoy wish you to cry all afternoon?”

Jim smiled. “Cause he’s a meanie.”

“Ignore him, Spock. He’s just afraid he’s gonna lose and everyone will throw his apple pie in the trash.”

Jim stuck out his tongue and McCoy put an instrument on it. “Hey!”

“Actually, Jim, I don’t think you’re sick.”

“See!” Jim crowed triumphantly.

“The headaches?”

“Pretty sure it’s eye strain. Too much computer work. I’ll test him to be sure but Jim just needs glasses.”

Jim mumbled.

“What was that, Jim?”

“I have some, I just don’t wear ‘em. Make me look like a geek.”

“It’s not the glasses, Jim.”

“Shut up, Bones. Mom looked into getting my eyes fixed when I was a teenager but I was allergic to all the treatments. My eyes got better.”

“Apparently not,” Spock said calmly. “He will wear them.”

“Probably need new ones if the ones you have were when you were a kid. We’ll get that started too.”

Jim sighed. “Fine. Damn eyes.”

“They are quite beautiful,” Spock told him.

Jim smiled.

Bones retched. “I’m right here you two, love birds. I’ll be right back. With a shot.”

“I thought you said I just need glasses.”

“I’m a meanie remember?” Bones smiled evilly and departed.

Jim sighed, pouted, and said, “He really is.”

Flash Fic, November 09, 2020

A little dose of Vanik…

“Where is Jim?”

Spock looked up from the terminal at his desk to see Vanik standing before him. “When did you get here?”

“A moment ago.”

“I have told you before that you do not have permission to just let yourself in.”

Vanik straightened. “Acknowledged. But I had concerns.”

Spock leaned back. “Concerns?”

“Where is Jim? He has been missing for a few days and does not respond to my attempts to contact him.” Vanik paused. “I have two theories.”

Spock arched a brow. “Do continue.”

“Either he has, as humans would say, ‘dumped you’, and is ignoring me due to our personal connection.”

Spock was torn between amusement and outrage over the notion that Jim had ‘dumped’ him. Amusement won out.

“Or?”

“You have committed a grievous act of violence against him and you have buried the body somewhere.”

This time Spock rolled his eyes. “I did not murder Jim.”

“Then it is true. He has dumped you.”

“No, it is not true. Jim went to Riverside.”

“Iowa?”

“Indeed. To visit with his mother and brother over the Terran festival of giving thanks. Neither Jim nor his mother have had contact with George Samuel Kirk for many years so this was a big deal for them.”

Vanik looked pensive. “And why did you fail to accompany him on such a momentous occasion?”

“I was not invited.”

“You were not invited?” Vanik exclaimed. “But I thought your romance with Jim was progressing appropriately.”

“And it is. This is a time when it is important for them to bond as a family.”

“But are you not Jim’s family?”

Spock shook his head. “Not as yet. Our relationship is satisfactory and we are mutually invested in the continuous nature of it. I was perfectly fine with Jim going to Riverside for this trip. As for not contacting you, I assume that he is either busy or communication is not ideal there.”

“And have you heard from him?”

Spock had not and said so. “But I had not anticipated hearing from him. The trip is brief and he will be back on Sunday.”

“That does not bode well.”

“How so?”

Vanik shrugged. “At this point, had you been providing the emotional support Jim surely needs as a human, he would have asked you to accompany him. That he did not…”

“Do you not have something to attend to other than harassing me regarding my relationship with Jim which is most certainly not your business.”

“Yes, unfortunately I do. I must go to class.”

Vanik left then, but Spock was dismayed to realize that he made Spock begin to doubt his relationship with Jim. He had thought nothing of Jim going to Iowa by himself.

He had been convinced that everything was good between them. Should he have pressed Jim for an invite? Insisted on going with him? Was he failing to emotionally support his lover?

Spock hadn’t even bothered to check that Jim made it all right. Was that wrong of him? He had assumed…

He tapped out a message.

Jim, my apologies for not checking in with you prior to now. Did you make it safely? And it there anything you need from me?

There was, of course, no immediate response, and so Spock returned to working on his coursework.

He was searching out something to eat when he finally heard from Jim.

Yeah, I’m here. No trouble at all getting here. Mom and I are fine. Things are a little more tense with Sam. Hey, tell that nephew of yours I said hi. I’ve been meaning to respond, but with the family drama…

Understood. Vanik did express concern for your welfare. I will advise him. Jim?

Yeah?

Would it be…permissible for me to board a shuttle to Riverside to join you?

When no immediate response was forthcoming, Spock began to hastily type a message taking it back.

What time can you get here? I’ll pick you up from the shuttle bay?

I will leave immediately. I will text you my arrival information.

K. See you soon.

Spock made his arrangements, closed out of everything and packed a small bag.  Before he left, he sent a message to his nephew.

Jim sends his regards. I am joining him.

Then Spock added…

Thank you.   

Flash Fic, November 02, 2020

And so we begin with the November flashes. They will be mostly gatherings, family stuff, probably a few continuing stories.

This continues one of them…

Jim still hasn’t told his mother his decision about the Academy. He’d sent in his application right after Spock came back from his retreat and told Jim he was purging his emotions. He still felt a bit foolish for having pinned his hopes and his possible future on the possibility of more with a Vulcan he had gone on only one date with.

In a way Spock had done him a favor by setting him straight there. And his talk with Sam had been prominent in his mind when he applied.

Even after he and his mom had seen Sam off for the ship back to Earth, Jim had held back the news. After all it was certainly possible he would be turned down. Mom told him once that Tiberius Kirk, Jim’s grandfather, had been rejected after all.

Why have such an important discussion if nothing was to happen?  

But when his acceptance came for the upcoming next semester, Jim knew he was going to have to tell her.

“Hello Jim.”

Jim looked up from his PADD with the acceptance. Spock stood in front of him wearing dark pants and a heavy sweater. It made Jim hot just looking at him. For more than one reason obviously.

“Hi. Nice to see you,” Jim said politely. He’d seen Spock walking from a distance with an older human woman Jim assumed was his mother.

Spock inclined his head. “And you.” His gaze moved off Jim to somewhere beside him and Jim got the weirdest feeling that Spock was nervous. “I wonder if you would consider joining me for dinner again.”

“Uh. You want to have dinner?”

“If you are free.”

“When?”

“The soonest I suppose.”

A part of him was inclined to say no. Where would it go? Spock was purging himself and Jim was joining Starfleet. But another part was curious. And he did like Spock.

“You are reluctant,” Spock murmured.

“Well. I think you should know that my time here is pretty limited now. I’ve applied and been accepted at Starfleet Academy for the next semester in January.”

Then Spock surprised him.

“I have also applied and been accepted.”

“You?”

“Indeed. I have also applied for the Vulcan Science Academy. I am to meet with the board for the VSA tomorrow for their decision.”

Jim frowned. “You applied for both?”

“I was hedging my bets.” Spock fell silent for a moment. “Dinner?”

“I’ll have to check with my mother as to when she won’t need me for the shop.”

Spock nodded. “Understandable. You know how to message me, you have my contact information, please let me know when you are available.”

“Okay, sure.”

Spock walked away then and Jim went back into the ice cream shop to help his mother.

Later when the shop was closed, and they were in their apartment above the shop, Jim talked to her.

“Mom, are you getting a house here?”

She looked surprised he knew. “I am looking into it, but nothing has been completely decided. Sam told you?”

“Yeah.”

She sighed. “I know I said this was going to be short, but I like it here.  I do. And the company asked if I would stay here at least two years to get everything more permanently established. I didn’t want to live in this apartment for that amount of time.”

“I completely understand that. But Mom. Uh.”

“You want to leave,” she guessed.

Jim exhaled and then nodded. “I applied for acceptance into Starfleet Academy and I just received word that I can attend beginning with the January semester.”

“January? That’s only two months away.”

“Yeah. If you want me to cancel or postpone it—”

“No, no, don’t be silly. Of course you should go. I’m just adjusting to having neither of my sons with me. Empty nest, they used to call it.” Her smile was sad, but it was a smile.

“It’s still two months away.”

She wiped her eyes then and hugged him. “Congratulations, Jim. I know you’re going to be wonderful.”

“Thanks,” he whispered. “And, uh, Spock wants to have dinner with me again.”

She gave him a look. “That guy that dumped you after one date?”

Jim laughed. “He didn’t dump me. You have to be something to be dumped, Mom. But yeah, him. I was surprised but he asked.”

“When?”

“I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow night? He’s meeting with the VSA in the afternoon I guess about applying there.”  

“I’m sure I can cover the shop if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Thanks Mom. For everything.”

She hugged him again and then went to go have her video conference with her superiors at her company.

Jim messaged Spock.

Tomorrow night?

A moment later.

Yes.

You’ve probably guessed by now that I am setting this up for Spock to give his FU to the VSA like he does in the film, so that he and Jim can join the Academy together in January.

Flash Fic, October 26, 2020

Today we revisit Spock and Jim from Who Does Spock Wake Up With (as well as the one where Spock fell down the stairs)

Photo by Toni Cuenca on Pexels.com

Spock finds the celebration of Halloween a puzzlement. It is not that he has not done the research, of course he has, but the practice of dressing up as something you are not, and eating candy, partying, and in ancient times, bobbing for apples, made no logical sense.

Yet Jim announces enthusiastically one morning as they are having breakfast in the Academy Cafeteria, that there is a Halloween Dance he would like to attend.

Spock ignores this until he understands Jim is looking at him expectantly.

He wonders what the proper response is for a bit, mulling it over in his mind.

He and Jim are most assuredly a couple now, with Jim moving in to Spock’s apartment entirely when Spock fell down the stairs, and though perhaps there were some who would claim they got to such a serious state too fast, Spock would argue their pace suited them.

At the table with them were Jim’s friends, McCoy, a doctor who seems always grumpy, but well meaning in regard to Jim, and a self-proclaimed jokester named Finnegan, Spock did not find particularly amusing. He tolerates Jim’s friends because Jim tolerates his.

Spock swallows the bite of waffle he had been chewing. “When is it?”

A polite enough non-committal sort of response.

McCoy looks at Spock sharply, but Spock ignores him, as usual.

Jim smiles. Spock likes his smiles, they soothe him.

“October 31. On Halloween. They’ll turn the cafeteria into party central. Food, drinks, dancing. Costumes. Sounds wicked.”

Spock is aware that ‘wicked’ is supposed to be good, but he doesn’t quite get that either.

“Sounds stupid.”

This comes from the new arrival to the table, carrying a tray containing a massive hamburger and fries. Mitchell. He slams the tray down and several fries jump onto the table. For some reason, Jim reaching for them and eating them bothers Spock. Not the issue of hygiene, though that element exists as they landed on a not so clean table, but that Jim eats food from Mitchell.

“Why you think that?” Finnegan asks.

“Just lame. We should forget the kiddie games and go get wasted at Calhoun’s.”

Calhoun’s is an establishment Spock does not care for, but he is aware that Jim frequented the place with his cohorts prior to his association with Spock. He waits for Jim’s reaction, aware that Humans can be prickly. Jim most especially.

“You can go to Calhoun’s, Gary,” Jim says easily, stealing fries off of Mitchell’s plate now. Mitchell does not stop him, and Spock wishes he would.

Spock pushes the remains of his waffle and vegan sausages toward Jim, who smiles, and tears off a hunk of the waffle.

“But?”

Jim shrugs. “Spock and I are going to the Halloween thing.”

Spock knows he has not agreed to any such thing, but he also knows not to say so, and certainly not to say anything that would give Mitchell leverage to convince Jim to change to his plans.

Spock does not miss that Jim’s three friends are looking at him now, daring him to contradict what Jim has just said.

He would not, not in front of any of them. He knows better.

Jim is also looking at him, a smile playing at his lips, lips that very morning were wrapped around his…

“Indeed, we are.”

And that earns Spock a glorious smile from his Human and he knows he answered wisely. And he knows he will be forced to wear some inane costume. But somehow, as that smile lights the room, and Jim covers Spock’s hand with his own, he does not mind so much.

Flash Fic, October 19, 2020

 Spock was sitting at the dining room table in Winona Kirk’s home in Riverside, Iowa, working on his PADD.  

Captain Kirk and his mother were outside, apparently surveying her yard and crops.

“To see if it’s Harvest time”.

They were there, visiting in October. It was a temporary leave and they were nearer Earth than New Vulcan, so there was not enough time to visit Spock’s father.

He and Nyota had ended their romantic relationship for good and so Spock was not going to be spending their short leave with Nyota.

 So he had gone along with Captain Kirk.

Spock had been glad that Doctor McCoy had gone to Georgia rather than come with them. Spock was looking forward to spending more time with Kirk because Spock hoped, at the end of this leave, to be able to announce his intention to court his captain.

If he could do so before, he would, but with Jim’s mom there, well, Spock hesitated. He did not begrudge Jim having this visit with his mom. He was aware Jim did not spend nearly as much time bonding with his mother as he would like, and though Spock was somewhat anxious to reveal his intentions, he would wait for the right time.

He heard Jim and his mother talking a mile a minute just before the back door opened and they came inside.

“Gonna be cold tonight,” Jim announced.

“Oh?”

“Sure will,” Winona agreed. “I’ll put some soup on. Why don’t you go up and stake out your rooms?”  

“Yeah.” Jim smiled. “Come on. Let’s get settled, and I’ll get you some warmer blankets and stuff.”

Spock rose and went up the stairs with Jim.

He could tell Jim’s mom was thrilled to have them visit and Jim seemed happy too, so that satisfied Spock for the moment.

“Was it Harvest?” he asked politely.

Jim laughed. “Yeah. But Mom just has a small bit. Hardly anything. She can’t handle rows and rows of stuff. I’ll help her tomorrow.”

He stopped and walked into a bedroom. “This was Sam’s. Mom put on fresh sheets and cleaned it. But with the temperature drop, I think we’d better get you some warmer stuff. I don’t want to make you miserable.”

Jim’s sunny smile warmed him in ways the blanket would not, and Spock wanted to say so but it seemed so fanciful.

But Jim’s expression had turned quizzical. “Something on your mind, Spock?”

He didn’t want to lie so he hesitantly said, “Yes. But it can wait.”

“No. Go ahead. Tell me what’s up.”

“Captain—”

“Jim.” He grinned. “You can’t call me captain in my old house.”

Spock had no clue why not but decided to argue was pointless. And the topic was rather irrelevant to what he wanted to say.

“Spock.” Jim moved closer, it seemed, and his blue eyes got softer still.

Somehow it made Spock bolder, more confident.

“I wished to come along to convey my interest in changing the parameters of our relationship.”

Jim stared intently at him. “You want to leave the Enterprise?”

Alarmed, Spock shook his head. “No. I…”

Jim leaned closer still. “I know. I’m joking. I want to change those parameters too.”

Spock gave him a look. “Jim.”

He laughed. Put his lips on Spock’s who returned the kiss eagerly.

“Um. With my mom though. You probably ought to keep to this bedroom.” He laughed again. “Damn.”

Spock kissed him. “There is time.”

Flash Fic, October 12, 2020

A bit of TOS. It’s not really that related to October/Halloween/Harvest but I threw in some mentions to make it work!

“It was a dark and stormy night.”

“Why?”

Jim lowered the book and gazed at the small Vulcan child peering up at him from his seat on the floor. Jim was sitting in a chair. The child, Saran, had informed Jim he would sit cross-legged on the carpeted floor.

“Why what?”

“Why was it dark and stormy?”

“Uh. I don’t know. That’s just how the story starts.”

Saran eyed him but nodded.

Jim cleared his throat. Babysitting Vulcans. Ugh.

“Soon he heard an ominous noise outside his window.”

“Why was it ominous?”

“Because he didn’t know what the sound was.”

“Then it should say, soon he heard an unknown noise outside his window. He decided to investigate.”

Jim sighed and closed the book. “I don’t think you’re in the mood for a ghost story.”

Saran sniffed. “Ghosts are illogical.”

“Sure are. So what else would you like to do, Saran?”

“You could tell me about your exploits.”

Jim paused. “My exploits.”

“You are a famous starship captain.” Saran paused. “Or so I have been told. You must have exploits.”

Jim opened his mouth to reply, but then was saved by the sudden appearance of Amanda, Spock’s mother.

“Oh! Here I am. I’m so sorry, Jim, I didn’t mean to be gone for so long.” She came to him and clasped his hands. “Spock’s on his way back now. Thank you for watching Sarek’s nephew.”

Jim smiled. “You’re welcome.”

She leaned in to whisper, “He’s at a bit of a challenging age. It was kind of you to watch him. And I really hadn’t intended to be gone so long.” She patted his arm. “Why don’t you go and wait on the covered terrace for Spock? I’ll send him out there when he comes.”

He tried not to be too relieved as he made his escape out to the terrace. There was a pitcher of cool water out on a table there, so he helped himself to a glass.

Jim had been rather surprised at the invitation to join Spock on Vulcan after they had saved the Earth from impending disaster. Again. Jim didn’t even feel the slightest bit bad about being demoted back to Captain. The admiralty hat hadn’t ever quite fit him.

It seemed that Spock, though he had gotten many of his memories back, he hadn’t gotten them all.  There was a vague memory there, Jim supposed, of their past intimacy, but not enough to convince Spock to reestablish anything. Or so Jim had believed, until this recent invitation.

The door on to the terrace opened and Spock stepped outside. He was wearing those Vulcan robes he seemed to favor on the planet. This was a short visit before they would return to duty.

“Everything okay?”

“Indeed.” Spock came to stand near him. Jim had been viewing some plants in pots there. “My mother’s garden. She has another garden in the back yard.”

“Yes, she showed me earlier. Told me there’s no real harvest time like there is back in Iowa.”

“Yes. I do apologize for staying away so long today. Mother informed me you were required to watch Saran for a time.”

Jim chuckled. “Yep. Not sure I’m very good with children. Probably a good thing Carol kept David from me.” His smile faded, his mood now melancholy.  

Spock, of course, knew. “I am sorry, Jim. For the horrifying loss of your son.”

He nodded, turning away. “The pain is manageable.”

At least I have you, Jim thought.

It wasn’t in the same capacity of what he’d been used to, what he wanted. But it was something. Yes. He would have Spock however Spock would allow it.

“I tried to read a ghost story to Saran,” Jim said, changing the subject.

“A ghost story, Captain?”

“October, Mister Spock. The month of Halloween.”

“Ah.” Spock nodded. “I recall.” He gestured to two chairs. “Will you sit with me? There is something I would like to discuss.”

Trying to stem his curiosity, Jim took the seat and waited as Spock sat beside him.

“I would like to discuss us.”

Jim glanced at Spock’s face, trying to read what that meant. He was unsuccessful in figuring it out. “Us?”

Spock held his hand up in the air toward Jim, who’s gaze zeroed in on it. He swallowed. He must have hesitated too long for Spock began to lower his hand, his brows furrowed. Jim hastily thrust his hand out, rather clumsily, and touched his fingers to Spock’s.

“It-it’s been a long time for that,” he whispered.

“Is it unwelcome?”

“No.” Jim paused, feeling hope spring up in his chest. “No.”

Flash Fic, October 05, 2020

“Doctor McCoy sent you a package.”

Jim smiled from his spot lounging on the couch. Spock had covered him with a fluffy autumn throw and propped him up with big squishy pillows. He’d also lit a fire in the fireplace.

“Probably a box of more medicine.”

“We will see.”

They were currently spending Jim’s medical leave in a mountain retreat in the Rockies. They would be there for an extended time as Jim had been severely injured in a blast on an away mission.

Spock opened the box and looked inside.

“Well?”

He pulled out a box of hot cocoa “Pumpkin Spice” was labeled on the outside.

“Oh my God! I love Bones.” Jim grinned at the look Spock gave him. “I love you way more though. What else?”

“Pumpkin tea for the hobgoblin,” Spock read from the note. He narrowed his eyes. “A light up autumnal gourd.”

Spock held it up and flipped a switch as it lit up.

Jim’s smile widened. “Ah, I love it.”

“Why does it have a face?” Spock queried.

“It’s a Jack o’ Lantern for Halloween.”

Spock shook his head. “Count Chocula Cereal.”

“Score! Bones thinks of everything.”

“Pumpkin Spice coffee and also various bags of Halloween candy.”

Jim’s smile turned soft. “All the comforts of home. That is so cool. I’ll have to send him a note to thank him.”

“Later. For now, you need to rest.”

“Rest? I’m already lying down, Spock.”

“You need to sleep.”

“I’m not a little kid who needs a nap.”

“When we allowed you to have your leave here instead of in a Starfleet approved medical facility you agreed to do everything that either I or Doctor McCoy said.”

Jim sighed. “I know. Okay.”

Spock knelt down beside him. “I almost lost you again, ashayam. Please indulge me.”

“Of course I will. I’m sorry.”

Spock leaned up and kissed him. “I am not. I am grateful. When you wake, you can have some of the cocoa.”

“Join me?”

Spock rolled his eyes. “You are not yet ready for that. I will have tea.”

He laughed. “Okay.”

“Be good and close your eyes.”

Jim smiled faintly, but closed his eyes. He was still very pale and tired easily, but yes, he was here, and Spock would care for him.

Flash Fic, September 28, 2020

Leonard knocked on the door of the apartment of someone he frankly didn’t care to see, but, well, here he was. If they put up the picture of the best best friend in the world on some kind of list, he was certain he’d be A Number One.

The door was opened and there stood his nemesis.

Okay, not really. But—

“Doctor.”

“Asshole.” Leonard sighed. “Okay, okay. Sorry. Spock. Look, I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me to be here, but…for Jim’s sake I am. He’s really really upset over your fight and I think…whatever it was about…you should seek him out and make things right.”

Spock straightened. “You assume it was my doing?”

“Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. I know Jim can be challenging. But the truth of the matter is, who cares who was at fault or who said what or did what? Does any of that matter if you end up losing Jim? Because I have to tell you, Spock, you are in danger of that. Jim doesn’t trust or love easily. And once you lost that, it’s probably gone forever. So be the bigger one here, Spock. Go to Jim and fix this. You won’t be sorry if you do that, but you may be otherwise.”

Leonard left then, hoping that what he’d said to Spock would be good enough. He had a class to go to then.

Much later he returned to a dark dorm.

He called out, “Jim?”

Because ever since his fight with Spock, Jim had been moping around the place.  

“Lights.”

Leonard spotted on the table a six-pack of beer, a pizza, and a plate with a donut. There was a note too.

With Spock. Thanks. We both owe you. ❤

Leonard smiled and reached for the pizza. Then went for the donut first.

Photo by Tijana Drndarski on Pexels.com

Flash Fic, September 21, 2020

“So, should I join the Chess Club or the Ancient Literature in Modern Times Discussion Group?”

Bones glanced at Jim as they walked along the path between buildings at Starfleet Academy. “That’s like asking me if you should be a geek or a nerd.”

“Funny. I could, honestly, join both because they’re held at different times and days.”

“How fortunate,” Bones said, sarcastically.

Jim smirked at him. “You could join too.”

“No, thanks. I’m up to my eyeballs in courses about being a doctor on a starship. They’re kicking my ass. I have no free time. And any free time I have is spent studying. But I have no free time.”

“And you repeat repeatedly.”

Bones grinned. “You know it. But knock yourself out, kid. Hopefully all that nerdity won’t rub off on me.”

“That’s not a word.”

“Totally is.”

****

When Jim got to the Wednesday Night Chess Club initial meeting he was a little surprised to see a lot of females. And maybe that was a little sexist of him, but it still seemed strange for him to be like the only guy.

He spotted Uhura, from the bar, over by a wall, so he went over to her.

“You’re interested in chess?”

She shrugged. “Why not?”

“I don’t know. It’s just…”

Uhura rolled her eyes. “Look around, Kirk. Most of the cadets here aren’t interested in chess. Not really.”

Jim glanced around the room and then spotted the tall Vulcan in the corner wearing a black turtleneck sweater, black jeans, and black boots. He was surrounded by females.

He blew out a breath. “Oh. Professor Spock.”

“Yes, Professor Spock. Why’d you think everyone was here? Why are you?”

“To play chess, duh.”

“You’re one of the few, I’d say.”

Jim watched her watch him. “Including you.”

Uhura smiled. “He’s really cool and gorgeous. Brilliant. Why wouldn’t I be interested? Aren’t you?”

“Whether I am or not has nothing to do with the Chess Club,” Jim told her. “I didn’t even know he was behind it.”

And that was true. Spock was gorgeous, just like Uhura had said, but Jim wasn’t pursuing the Vulcan professor. He had plenty of interest from other cadets, he certainly didn’t need Jim mooning after him too.

But after three chess matches, all of which Jim won easily because those he played with hadn’t paid the slightest attention to the chess game, he decided to leave.

He was headed out the door when Spock called to him.

“Cadet Kirk, leaving already?”

He turned to face Spock. It was on the tip of his tongue to compliment him on how good he looked in black, before his brain reminded him that he wasn’t going to be like everyone else, gushing over Spock.

“Yeah, it’s uh…to be honest my opponents weren’t much of a challenge so I don’t think the club is for me.”

Spock inclined his head. “Perhaps you would care to challenge me?”

Jim smiled a little. “You, Professor? Bring it on.”

****

A few matches later, some Jim had won, he leaned back in his chair, stretched his arms up in the air and yawned.

“You have an interesting playing style,” Spock murmured.

Jim grinned. “You mean you’re surprised I managed to beat you.”

“It is a rare occurrence when I am bested,” Spock admitted.

Jim looked around and noticed everyone else had left. “Wow it must be late. Or they all left when I monopolized your time.”

“Perhaps some of both.”

Jim got up. “Thanks. I didn’t mean to keep you away from everyone else.”

“My purpose was to have meaningful chess matches and you provided those. I have no regrets. But we are behind the time I said I would utilize this room so…”

Jim held up his hands. “I’m leaving, no worries. Thanks again, Professor.”

“You will be here next Wednesday?” Spock asked as he walked Jim to the door.

“I don’t think so. This, uh, this isn’t really my thing.”

“I surmised you enjoyed playing chess.”

“And I do. But the players here tonight…I’m not sure why they were here, exactly,” Jim hedged. “But it wasn’t to play chess. Anyway, I’ve taken up enough of your time. Goodnight.”

****

The following Monday, Jim popped in at the Ancient Literature in Modern Times Discussion Group only to see most of the same cadets he’d seen at the Chess Club, including Uhura.

Jim sighed. “Don’t tell me. Spock again?”

“Of course,” she said coolly. “You sure managed to catch his attention on Wednesday. Back for more?”

And that’s when Jim noticed just about everyone there was glaring at him with open hostility.

“I don’t need this,” he muttered. He looked at Uhura. “Nope. Wrong room. See you.”

Just as he was stepping outside, Spock approached the room.

“You are leaving?”

“Yeah, don’t think this group is for me.”

Spock frowned slightly. “You are not interested in Ancient Literature?”

Jim nodded. “I am. It’s just…” He took Spock’s elbow and drew him aside. “Those cadets in there aren’t interested in discussing literature any more than they are interested in chess. In fact, they’re pretty much the same crowd.”

“I do not understand.”

Jim sighed. “Spock. They’re interested in you.”

Spock stared at him for a long time and then his lips thinned and he nodded. “I see. Would you like to discuss Ancient Literature in Modern Times privately over tea one afternoon?”

Jim smiled. “I’d love to.”

Spock looked at the door of the room. “In fact, Cadet…may I call you Jim?”

“Please do.”

“If you are free after the conclusion of this discussion at six-thirty, I would like to take you to dinner.”

For a moment, Jim wasn’t sure what to say. And when he finally did it came out stupid. “Uh.”

“If I have misjudged an interest then—”

“Yes. I mean…no. I’m…you’re asking me for a date, right?”

Spock arched a brow. “Yes.”

Jim moistened his lips. “And, uh, when you mentioned discussing Ancient Literature over tea? That was a date too, right?”

Spock nodded.

Jim let that wash over him.

“Then you are interested?”

“Yeah. I am. Yes. I’d love to have dinner.” Jim smiled. “I guess it would be easier to attend the discussion tonight so we can just go out after.”

“Indeed.”

“You know, all those women in there, they really like you.”

“While I am flattered by their interest, it is misguided.”

“Oh?”

“My interests with regard to mates lie with males.”

Jim’s smile widened. “My lucky day then. Shall we?” He indicated the door to the room.

Spock went in before him and Jim followed. And it was really hard not to preen in front of the others. But he tried. Really.  

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