A/N: This story will go episode by episode in production order. Each chapter will take place directly following the end of the episode. Camera stops, story starts.

While eventual slash will be present, the story will be completely canon compliant up until Star Trek: Generations. (I can't believe they killed Kirk by making him fall off a bloody ladder!) I'll make sure and give you good warning prior to anything slashy appearing so all you none fans of K/S won't have to worry about stumbling into anything that might hurt your eyes. To be honest this will mostly be a friendship fic, at least until well into Season 2.

Highly suggest you watch each episode prior to reading. There are subtle nuances that will be missed if the dialog and facial expression aren't fresh in your mind.


Where One Man Has Gone Before - (This is not a typo people.)

Jim Kirk couldn't believe it was over. His friend--dead. His first real mission as Captain of the Enterprise, and he'd just lost his first crew member, and his best friend. Kirk slowly stood up from the command chair and walked towards the turbo lift. He absent mindedly handed the bridge over to the next duty crew and didn't pay much attention to the fact that the Vulcan Mr. Spock had followed him until the lift had already started on its way to the command quarters.

Spock looked the captain over careful before he ventured to speak. "Captain, I was wondering if we could schedule a rematch."

Jim blinked in confusion for a moment before his mind finally dredged up the chess match. God, that seemed like ages ago...he shook his head. "I'm sorry Mr. Spock; I am not really in the mood at the moment."

Spock nodded and wordlessly exited the turbolift when it stopped at their floor. He was a good way down the hall when Kirk changed his mind.

"Mr. Spock?" Spock turned at the sound of Jim's voice and raised an eyebrow in question. Kirk fought hard and mustered up a smile, knowing full well it looked pained. "On second thought, if losing has you so upset," Spock's eyebrow shot into his hair line. "I guess I could work in another game."

"I believe you may have misinterpreted my offer." Spock walked back towards the captain. "I may have underestimated you once, sir. It is unlikely to happen again."

This time Jim's smile was genuine. "Well then Mr. Spock, let's see what you've got hidden between those ears."

Kirk keyed his door open and offered a sweeping gesture of welcome into his quarters. Spock strode through the open door and stepped out of the way to allow the captain inside. Even the commanding officer had little room to spare in his quarters. Jim moved to the left and gestured towards the chair that backed the bookcase in his sitting area. Spock sat down and Kirk riffled through a packing crate before he found the board and pieces. He set them down on the table and Spock helped him riffle through the case to find all the right pieces. Without asking Spock took black.

Jim realized fairly quickly that Spock hadn't been kidding. This game was nothing like their first. Spock was matching him move for move, without a seeming effort. Jim laughed to himself. He should have known the Vulcan was sizing him up before. Mr. Spock could have had command of the Enterprise himself had he ever shown even a hint of command ambition. Starfleet was well aware of his potential and Jim Kirk would do well to remember that his greatest rival for control of the ship and crew was sitting across from him. In order to win the respect of the Enterprise, he was going to have to win over Mr. Spock.

Spock appraised the board carefully and lifted his bishop off the board and twirled it a moment before taking one of Kirk's knights with a flourish. Jim resolved himself to getting down to business.

It didn't take long before the captain was outright laughing at what he knew was a joke, but he couldn't believe he'd just heard it from a Vulcan. For his part, Spock gave no outside indication he'd just made a pun of galactic proportions, nor that it had his captain in stitches. Jim couldn't even remember what it was a minute later, but the good mood was welcome. After another few turns, however, Jim began to see an ulterior motive to Spock's offer of a rematch.

"I believe I owe you a thanks, Mr. Spock." Jim smiled and picked up his queen.

Spock raised an eyebrow; ignored Kirk's bate, and instead moved his knight out of the way of a cleverly placed pawn on a different level. "Indeed, Captain?"

Kirk nodded and frowned at the board, quickly running out of viable options. "You are distracting me on purpose, trying to keep my mind off our last mission."

"True." Spock acknowledged. "It does appear to be having success."

Jim snorted. "I wouldn't have pegged you as the type." He gave up and shoved the board to the side of the table. "Dr. McCoy, perhaps, but not you."

Spock tilted his head to the side. "I am not without emotions, captain. I simply do not allow them expression or control. I am, however, half human. I recognize pain when it is present, even in others." Spock leaned forward in his chair placing his elbows on the table and steepling his fingers. "You have suffered a great loss today and I grieve with thee."

Jim lost his smile at the traditional words of Vulcan comfort, but nevertheless was grateful for a chance to talk.

"Gary was my best friend." Spock leaned back in his chair and nodded for Kirk to continue. "I really thought taking this command would mean we'd have some time together again. It's been years since we got to really do anything together." Jim closed his eyes briefly. "I know, I'm not portraying the image of Captain very well, am I?"

"To the contrary, sir. If you did not feel the loss of a friend and crewmate you would not have the ability to command. The crew does not follow a man with no emotional connection to them."

Jim looked sharply at the Vulcan, taking in the full meaning of that statement. "Do really believe that?"

Spock nodded. "It has been my experience that the crew of the Enterprise requires a captain that does not command but leads through the sharing of their pleasures and their pains. If they do not see this taking place they do not give him the respect deserving of the position." Spock leaned forward once more. "Today you have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for reaching them, for allowing them to reach you. The Enterprise is in good hands, sir. I do not make that statement lightly. Captain Pike is not an easy man to replace."

"No, no he isn't." Kirk sighed. "I shouldn't be dumping my problems on you."

"You are welcome to dump," Spock gave a small tiny frown, "whenever you require it, captain. The position you hold is not immune to stress. I believe humans call this venting."

Jim laughed. "That they do, Mr. Spock." Jim stood up and Spock followed suit. "I realize my calling an end to the game is likely to be seen as a strategic withdrawal," He could have sworn Spock smirked. "But as unlikely as the prospect seems I really should try and sleep."

Spock nodded and headed for the door. "Oh, and Mr. Spock," Spock turned back around. "Please, call me Jim."

Spock looked hard at the Captain before nodding curtly. "I do not have another name to offer you, Jim. But I believe the formality with mine is unnecessary."

Again, Jim smiled and Spock's eyes warmed a small bit. Kirk gave a little start as Spock extended his hand.

"I thought Vulcan didn't shake hands."

"They do not, under normal circumstances." Spock did not retract his hand and Jim slowly reached out to shake it. "I believe we have reached an understanding. I do not wish to leave it unacknowledged. My human mother would strongly disapprove if I were to do so."

Jim had almost forgotten Spock was only half-Vulcan but he smiled and nodded anyway before a large yawn forced him to withdraw his hand to cover his mouth. It seemed like he was suddenly far more exhausted than he had been a second before.

"It is 10.2 hours till you are required for the next duty shift. I will leave you to rest." Spock spun on his heel and was out the door before Jim could even say goodnight. It didn't take more than a second after his head hit the hard red pillow before he was out cold.

In the corridor, Spock nodded in satisfaction at the closed door. Walking over to the wall com unit he connected to the bridge.

"Mr. Umato, for the next 10.2 hours until the duty change please contact me with any command related concerns. The captain is not to be disturbed."

"Aye, Sir." Umato acknowledged and Spock quickly moved to his own quarters. While his Vulcan father would be highly displeased if he ever learned that Spock had used a Vulcan mind technique to put his captain to sleep, he knew his human mother would approve. Jim Kirk reminded Spock of Amanda, and the science officer knew that under the circumstances she would have considered the act a kindness.