When Jim stopped by the room after his last exam, Bones was waiting for him. He didn't look too happy.

"Drink?"

"Not tonight."

Bones looked like he couldn't believe his ears. "What do you mean not tonight? Why not?"

"Just don't feel like it, I have to head back out."

"What do you mean head back out? Where have you been?"

Jim was confused. "I just wrote my exam."

"Damn it kid, not what I meant. Where have you been for the past week? Either you are writing an exam or you hole yourself up in the library. What's the deal?"

He shrugged. If he couldn't explain it to himself, how the hell was he supposed to explain it to his roommate? "I don't know. Just, reading and stuff."

"Reading?" Bones rubbed his hands over his face in exasperation. "I don't get you kid. For the past two years almost you've never once set foot in the library. Now you live there. We always go out to the bar. Now you're a monk. What's up?"

Jim sighed. His roommate was like a dog with a really juicy bone sometimes. Jim had no idea what to tell him. Nothing Jim could say would make sense. Not even to himself.

Jim's communicator went off.

Practice yard D? Bring your gloves? – Hikaru Sulu

He typed in a quick reply of five minutes, and then laughed at his good luck. "Later Bones. We'll continue this next time."

Bones shook his head at his roommate for what seemed to be the millionth time. "Lucky ass kid." He sat himself in front of the vid screen with some of his favourite bourbon, and settled in for the night.

Hikaru and Jim were half way through their practice session with the sword when Hikaru decided to drop a bomb on Jim.

"So, what do you think of Pavel?" he asked breathlessly.

The questions caught Jim off guard. "What the hell do you mean by that? What about him?"

"I don't know. He seems like a pretty good guy. What do you think?"

"He seems decent." When Hikaru began to attack more forcefully, Jim continued. "He's young, a genius and motivated. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Hikaru stopped. "No. Do you think he's a good man?"

Jim smiled. "More like boy really. Don't glare at me like that. He's only seventeen. Why?"

"Just wanted to know your opinion."

Jim had a feeling that he was going to regret asking this, but here goes. "What does my opinion have to do with anything? Spit it out for heaven's sake."

"I like him."

And Jim had absolutely nothing to say to this, and took a second to pause and really look at Hikaru before returning to en guarde and continuing with the session. "You sure he's what you want?"

The other man smiled softly. "Yeah Jim. I can't think of anyone else."

"Not even me? I'm hurt!" Jim feinted to the left and quickly disarmed Hikaru. "I hope it works out for you."

As he looked at his fallen sword, Hikaru was silently saying a prayer of relief. "That's it? No jokes, just 'I hope it works out?' Seriously?"

"What else am I supposed to say? I really do hope it works out."

"Well, I'm glad, but I was expecting some, I don't know, jokes of some kind."

"Nah," Jim laughed, "that comes when you snag him."

Hikaru laughed and picked up his sword. "You're funny."

Silently, a man moved from his observation point in the shadowed doorway and exited the practice court deep in thought. He had overheard much.

"We meet again Cadet Kirk."

Jim hoped he didn't shiver noticeably at that voice. He had been practically haunting the library looking for the professor for almost three weeks now. He had almost given up hope that he would ever see him again.

Jim looked up at the Vulcan with a smile. "We do. Join me professor."

The Vulcan sat down with such grace that Jim couldn't tear his eyes away from him (well, not that Jim could tear his eyes away anyways). Those long, lean lines of the Vulcan opposite him made Jim think of what it would be like to see all of Vulcan. Feel his body and the heat of his skin against his own. Jim couldn't think of anything but the Vulcan and had come to terms with it – almost. Jim shivered again, and then attempted to push his thoughts away to concentrate on what the Vulcan was saying.

"I must admit concern when you professed that you did not require to study. However, after conversation with your professors in regards to your performance, they state that they only concerned with your academic performance in two areas."

Jim tried to quirk his eyebrow just like the Vulcan did (and probably failed miserably). "What areas?"

"Your attendance for one, which has been markedly improved of late. Which is curious. As well, your attention to detail in your written assignments. Some professors believe that most of your assignments are written while you are inebriated."

"Well…" Jim was shocked, but he would swear that the Vulcan was looking at him with an emotion akin to amused disapproval.

"Cadet Kirk, as I am sure you are aware, inebriation during study does not help to retain information and will not help when you become an officer."

"When you put it that way." To be honest, Jim kind of liked the fact that the professor had checked up on him with his professors. Maybe whatever emotions Jim had weren't one sided. Jim looked the Vulcan in the eye. "Checking up on me, huh?"

"I was merely attempting to discern whether you were in need of further guidance."

Right. And I'm a Klingon, Jim thought. He leaned over the table until his hands were almost touching the Vulcans'. The professors eyes flicked down to their hands and back up to Jims. If Jim didn't know any better, he would have sworn that the Vulcan's pupils were dilated. "Maybe I do need further guidance." Jim paused and inched his hand closer to the Vulcans'. "I never caught your name professor."

It took a moment, and then that voice washed over him again. "I am Spock."

Jim shivered. Finally the eyes and voice that had haunted him for almost a month had a name. Spock. It suited him. Jim didn't know much about Vulcan names, but he was certainly aware of how the Vulcan's name rolled off of his tongue.

At that moment, Jim decided that he had had enough of the library. "Coffee?" Jim asked hesitantly. "There's a nice coffee shop on the south side of campus."

Spock tilted his head to the side slightly. "Might I suggest tea in place of coffee?"

Jim knew absolutely nothing about tea. "Uh, sure. Why not. Name the place."

Spock simply nodded and gestured for Jim to follow him. The walk towards the eastern border of the campus passed quickly. Apart from a handful of passerby in cadet red uniforms, the path was deserted. It's a good thing Spock knows where he's going, because I don't have a clue, Jim thought. He had seen this section of the campus on a map, but had never explored it.

"Have you never ventured here, Cadet Kirk."

If Jim didn't know better than to think that Vulcan's weren't able to feel emotion, Jim would have sworn that Spock was amused with him. "That obvious huh?"

"Indeed. It is simply that your cursory glance towards all buildings and structures of note are in keeping with unfamiliarity with the area."

Jim had no idea what to say to that. Both men swiped their access cards to sign themselves off campus when they reached the security gate. Jim was about to ask the Vulcan where they were going when Spock rounded a corner and held open well concealed door.