"You'll never guess what just happened to me!" Jim throws open the door to their room and tosses his bag onto his bed.

"You fell down?" McCoy offers after sparing a glance up at Jim before returning to his coursework.

"No. Well, yeah, but that's not what I'm talking about." Jim rolled his eyes. He starts pulling off his mud-stained uniform. He'd taken a nasty spill on the run back from the meeting, resulting in a tear on one of the knees of his pants. He blamed a certain sexy Vulcan for suddenly intruding his thoughts. "I met the one!"

"The one what?" McCoy tried to remain stoic, but Jim could see the small switch of a smile behind his lips.

"Don't be an idiot." Jim was down to his boxers and started digging for clean clothes by the foot of his bed. "My soulmate. He was the one Nyota wanted me to meet with."

"He?" McCoy actually shut his textbook, and looked up in full interest. "What's he like?"

"Sexy…a teacher, actually, and a Vulcan." Jim tried to sound nonchalant as he stuck his head under the bed to pull a t-shirt out from underneath.

"It's Spock!?"

"Yeah! You know him?" Jim tugged the shirt on and didn't bother with pants before leaping onto his bed and reaching for his bag.

"Know him?" McCoy scoffed. "He comes in to watch students on the simulations. Practically every cadet in medic is scared shitless of him."

"He's not that bad." Truthfully, Jim could see why people would be afraid. The stoicism and intense gaze gave him chills when he recalled it. "Anyways, he let me in the club."

"Nepotism?" McCoy asked with a smirk before reaching for his textbook once more.

"Maybe." Jim didn't care either way.

He started on his readings for class tomorrow but found he couldn't concentrate. His thoughts kept wandering back to his soulmate. Spock had left their meeting in such a hurry, that Jim didn't even get to say anything about it. He finally just reached for his padd and looked up Spock's email in the school database.

"For God's sake, are you gonna go to sleep, or what?!" McCoy growled from his side of the room.

Jim had been emailing Spock for a while, before the professor insisted he retire to meditate, as he had many classes the following day. Jim reluctantly agreed, even though he himself only had afternoon classes on Fridays.

Instead of going to bed, Jim stayed up researching everything he could find online about Vulcans. There wasn't much, since they were very private, but he didn't want to sleep until he heard back from Nyota. He'd emailed her asking if she would maybe consider sending him Spock's schedule so Jim could drop by unexpectedly during office hours.

"In a minute…" Jim stifled a yawn. He wasn't used to sharing a room with someone so grumpy, or anyone at all, really. He pulled the blanket over his head so the light from his device wouldn't bother McCoy anymore.

When he woke up the next morning, it was to the rustling of McCoy getting ready for class. Jim pulled the covers down and watched through bleary eyes as McCoy combed his hair in front of a tiny mirror on the wall.

"What time is it?" Jim asked, his voice hoarse.

"Almost six. What time did you fall asleep last night?" He met Jim's eyes in the mirror.

"Ah…Like two-ish." He lied. It was more like four-ish when he finally closed out the pages of reading he'd pulled up for school work. He'd gotten the urge at about midnight to actually start the homework for his classes today.

"Well, you look like shit."

"Thanks, Bones." Jim pulled the covers back up to his chin.

"Why do call me that?" McCoy chuckled and shook his head.

"Cuz it's a funny nickname." Jim smiled and closed his eyes.

"Go back to sleep, you baby. You don't have class till like noon."

"I will…" Jim heard McCoy grab his bag and leave their room, gently shutting the door behind him.

He did try to fall back asleep, but found that despite his tired muscles, his mind was too awake. He got up and started the coffee machine that McCoy had plugged in on his dresser.

While waiting on the coffee, he reached for his padd and his heart leapt to his throat when he saw he had an email from Spock.

|| Good morning. I have something I wish to discuss with you. When can we meet to discuss this matter?

Jim stuck out his tongue at the alienating formal tone. Hopefully this matter Spock was talking about wasn't anything too serious. He was about to reply when he saw he had another email from Nyota. He opened it and saw it was it was Spock's schedule, like Jim had asked for. Attached was one short line that he could practically hear in her voice.

|| Please don't use this info to be obnoxious and bother him during his classes.

When would I ever?

He typed back with a laugh before reading over the schedule. So, Spock would be in class until noon. Jim sighed and realized they probably wouldn't be able to see each other until the end of Jim's last class, which was about twelve hours from now. That wouldn't do.

Jim got out of bed and scrambled for a clean uniform. He put it on also trying to find his hair brush. He hadn't been living here long, and he'd somehow already lost half his stuff. He gave up and just smoothed out his hair as best as he could before reaching for his coffee and sucking it down. He winced as his tongue was scalded, but paid it no mind.

One last glance in the mirror made him realize how McCoy was right. He really did look like shit. His eyes were framed by dark circles. He couldn't see Spock looking like that. He fished around the dresser before finding a pair of sunglasses. They would have to do.

There was a thin layer of dew on all the grass, soaking the cuffs of his pants as he made his way across campus. It was relatively deserted out, with only the occasional student walking to the day's first classes. Jim passed by the dining hall on his way to Spock's classroom and the inviting smell of food reminded him he'd skipped dinner last night.

Figuring he had time before he could see Spock anyways, he ducked inside and ordered real bacon and eggs. The dining hall was more crowded than he expected, and it took him a moment to find a table. He spotted Sulu sitting with a younger student. They were sitting practically in each other's laps, despite the fact that the table was empty aside from the two of them.

"Hey, can I sit?" Jim didn't wait for an answer before dropping his tray down.

"Hey, you're the one who almost ran me over yesterday!" The younger student said in a thick Russian accent. Jim had almost forgotten about that, but a closer inspection made him realize he did recognize those curls.

"Oh, yeah." Jim offered a smile. "Sorry about that…I was late for this thing."

"The nerd club meeting?" Sulu chuckled before reaching for the toast on his plate.

"Nerd club?" The younger student furrowed his brow.

"The xenolinguistics club." Jim corrected, shooting Sulu a glare that he wasn't sure the other could see through his sunglasses.

"Ah, zat is the one Mr. Spock is in! He is very brilliant." The younger student's eyes practically sparkled.

"Yeah!" Jim nodded. "You in it too?"

"Oh no!" he chuckled, turning bright red. "I can barely speak Standard. You would not want to hear me butcher another language."

"Well, I love your accent, Pavel." Sulu whispered by the younger student's ear. "It's adorable." The younger student –Pavel, giggled and leaned further into Sulu's lap.

Jim suppressed an inward groan and secretly hoped this wasn't going to be how it was from now on. He liked Sulu well enough, he was always cool at fencing training, but Jim didn't think he could handle all of this.

"Well, uh, you'll never guess what happened to me yesterday." Jim lowered his voice and leaned in closer, despite the fact that no one else was close enough to overhear. "I met my soulmate. It's Spock!"

"I knew it!" Sulu laughed. "I saw your words…I knew it was a Vulcan. For a sec, I didn't think it could be him, but he's the only Vulcan in the school."

"Hey! You looked at my words, even though you freaked out when I looked at yours?"

"Well, it's not like you go through lengths to hide yours." Sulu actually blushed. "Plus, yours don't say anything dirty…"

"Dirty!?" Jim practically burst into laughter, his eyes going over to Pavel. He tried to image someone so precocious looking saying anything dirty, and found the mental image almost impossible to conjure.

"For the last time, it's not dirty! You have been translating it wrong." Pavel hissed, his face even redder than Sulu's. "Yesterday, I said I liked your backpack, not your –"

"Hold on." Jim peered at them from over the top of his glasses. "You two just met…yesterday? But you're already so close."

"Da…er, yes." Pavel nodded. "That is the point, no? Your soulmate is forever, so there is no need to take things slowly. In fact, once I am eighteen, I'm sure Hikaru and I will get married."

"That's cool. I'm happy for you." Jim mumbled, focusing instead on his breakfast.

"Well, we gotta get to class. Come on, Pav." Sulu sighed and the two of them detangled from one another and made their way out of the dining hall.

Jim tried to focus on his food, but he kept thinking about Spock. Did Spock want what Hikaru and Pavel had? Maybe that's what he wanted to talk to him about. Jim thought about what that would mean. Did he want to get married right away, the way they did?

Memories of the last few years in Riverside filled his head. Waking up alone. Eating alone. Talking to no one, and finally falling asleep alone. The idea of someone with him...his soulmate, it was comforting. He thought of long nights spent not sleeping, just talking. And cooking together…well, Spock better be a good cook, because Jim could barely make toast.

Grinning to himself at the thought, Jim decided that if Spock wanted that, it wouldn't be so bad. After eating, he grabbed a muffin from the replicator and put it in a paper to-go bag before heading to Spock's classroom.

The class ended just as Jim made it to the room. Waiting outside, he found he could hear Spock's voice from in the room instructing everyone on their homework. Jim couldn't help but think of how authoritative and sexy he sounded.

Students began filing out, and Jim actually held his breath in waiting. When Spock walked out, he looked just as he had yesterday, amazing in his uniform.

"Hey!" Jim fell into step beside him and gently bumped his shoulder with his own.

"Cadet Kirk, I did not expect to see you here." Spock said calmly, looking only the slightest bit frazzled. "Do you have a class in this building?"

"Nah…" he replied with a yawn. "I don't have class for a couple of hours. I just wanted to see you." He glanced at Spock and was pleased with what could be described at Spock's own pleased look at this. "Muffin?" Jim held up the bag.

For a second, Jim thought Spock was going to refuse. "Thank you." When Spock took the bag from Jim, there was a split second where their fingers brushed together. It felt like a static shock zapped Jim in the pinky. He gasped and yanked his hand back. Spock's eyes were wide and there was a faint verdant blush on his face.

"Been walking on carpets?" Jim chuckled and reached over with his other hand to rub at the spot. "The air's a little too damp for static, though."

"Indeed." Spock sped his pace up just slightly. "It is most peculiar."

Even though they walked in relative silence, Jim couldn't help but be hyperaware of all of Spock's movements next to him. He knew from the schedule Nyota had sent him, that Spock's next class was in a building on the other side of campus. When they opened the doors to go out, Jim groaned when he saw how grey the sky was. Gaila's umbrella was somewhere under his bed right now.

"Cadet Kirk, why are you wearing sunglasses in such weather?" Spock asked as he opened the bag and carefully broke off a piece of the muffin.

"I…didn't get a lot of sleep last night." He yawned as if on cue.

"Perhaps you could visit the infirmary, if you are feeling unwell." Spock offered.

"No way, man." Jim chuckled. "My roommate will be there, and I know he'll get onto me for not sleeping or whatever." Spock actually turned his head completely towards Jim to give him a look that made Jim chuckle. "Please don't lecture me about responsibility…" It came out like a weak plea.

"Very well." Spock was silent for another moment. "Did you receive my correspondence about meeting with me for a discussion?"

"Yeah. What's that about anyways?" Jim's heart beat sped up when he remembered what Pavel had said about getting married.

"I believe we should wait to discuss this matter in private." Spock's voice betrayed nothing.

"Oh…kay." Jim swallowed. "I'm uh, free tonight? You wanna get together?"

"Very well. I will send you my address, and we can –" Spock froze as his eyes locked onto something up ahead. His posture immediately became impossible straighter. Confused, Jim looked ahead and saw what, or who it was.

"Hey!" Jim grinned and shouted at Pike. "Lovely whether, right? I thought I moved out here because you convinced me it was supposed to be sunny!"

"Don't whine." Pike tried to sound firm as he approached the pair, but he soon broke into a grin. "I'm actually surprised to see you up so early. Hopefully you're not being too hard on him, Spock? After all, it's still so early in the semester."

"Of course not, Captain." Spock said quickly, resisting the impulse to salute.

"Relax." Jim whispered, unable to keep back a small smile. "He's kidding. I'm used a way more…friendlier version of Pike than you probably are."

"Of course…" Spock said again. He let out a small breath of air and his shoulders slumped a fraction. Perhaps this was his way of relaxing. "What brings you this way, Captain?"

"I got a meeting with Admiral Barrett. There's a couple of things we have to discuss…" He was attempting to sound nonchalant, but Jim could tell there was something more.

"Is this about the Enterprise?!" Jim asked, his voice full of more excitement than he previously thought he could muster at this early in the morning. He couldn't help it. Ever since he first saw her in the shipyard, he was in love.

"It's about none of your business." Pike chided, though he gave Jim a smile. "You just focus on your work, and graduating."

"Of course, Captain." Jim sarcastically attempting to channel as much of Spock as possible, complete with salute.

Pike actually rolled his eyes. "God, you really are your father's son. And why in God's name are you wearing sunglasses when it's about to storm? Hangover already?"

"No! My soulmate likes them." Jim nudged Spock's shoulder with his own once more.

Expecting either a calm and Vulcan response, he was in no way prepared for the way Spock's eyes widened and immediately looked to Pike in what was unmasked fear. Jim looked over too and saw Pike looking between the two of them like they'd just sprouted wings.

"Oh…my god!" His face was red in what Jim momentarily mistook as anger, until he smiled. "Really!?"

Jim didn't respond. He just looked back towards Spock, worried about his momentarily lapse of his emotional suppression. His face was back to its normal neutrality, save for a persistent verdant blush that didn't seem to be going anywhere as long Jim was around.

"Y-yes, Captain." Spock gave a stern nod. "It is true. Cadet Kirk and I are…soulmates."

Pike looked between the two of them once more, now with a slight bit of skepticism in his face, as if he expected the two of them to suddenly reveal it was just a joke. After a second, he just laughed.

"Gotta say, I never would've expected this. Still, I guess it does sorta make sense…in a strange way." He chuckled. Jim figured it was a good sign that Pike thought so, considering that he knew each of them better than they knew each other, at the moment. "Now uh," He voice was serious again. "You're aware that –"

"Yes." Spock said quickly. "I am aware, Captain. I will make sure everything is taken care of."

"…Good." Pike seemed to accept that answer. "Well, I don't wanna keep Barnett waiting. You kids stay out of trouble." He gave the sky a nervous glance as if to asses if an umbrella was need or not, before heading into a nearby building.

"Hey, what was that about?" Jim absentmindedly took off his sunglasses and hung them from the collar of his uniform. "What are we supposed to be aware of?"

"It is of no importance at this moment." Spock began walking towards his destination once more, and Jim jogged to catch up. "As I was saying before, I will email you my address and we can meet to have a discussion." He curtly walked up the stone steps in front of the building. "Good day, Cadet."

Jim took a nap in the library until it was time for his afternoon classes. He would have gone back to his dorm, but he knew McCoy would chew him out if he caught him.

In his first two classes, he listened intently to the teachers going over the same reading he'd done last night. Most of the points the teachers touched on were ones he'd already inferred from reading. Something about doing his homework at four in the morning made his tired brain transcend reality to the point where the notes he took were pretty comparable to a professor's, when intelligible.

In his last class, it took about five minutes before Jim stopped paying attention and let his mind wander. He wonders what Pike was really discussing with the Admiral, and if it had anything to do with the Enterprise at all. He also wondered just how well Pike actually knew Spock. Either way, Spock seemed to hold him in quite high regards. Jim yawned and was just about to consider falling back asleep when he saw an alert for a new message on his padd.

|| Cadet, please meet me at this address tonight at seven.

Jim recognized the address as being an apartment complex not far from campus. He typed back his own message.

You got it. :P

|| What is :P ?

It's a face with its tongue sticking out. Tilt your head.

Spock didn't respond for the rest of class, but Jim maintained a small smile at the thought of Spock looking at his padd and tilting his head sideways. Hopefully he wouldn't think to look up emoticons and rob Jim of the satisfaction of confusing him with them again.

Spock simply took Jim's word for it, that that's what the message was supposed to represent. He slipped his padd into his briefcase and began walking towards the exit of the. Soon, it would be winter again. Spock was incapable of the emotion of hatred, but he greatly disliked the cold.

He paused by the doors and carefully wrapped his scarf around his face, and pulled up the hood of his coat to protect his ears. It was only September, but it felt freezing to him.

He had to try and prepare himself for what was to come. Jim may be coming over, but that was simply to discuss an important matter. Last night after preparing his lesson plans, Spock had consulted the academy's handbook on its policies about student and teacher romantic relationships. Just as he'd suspected –they were forbidden.

Of course, there were some exceptions, and soulmates were included. However, the exception could only be made after both parties met in front of an academic council and the council reviewed their case. It was widely considered unconstitutional to keep soulmates apart, but the academy did have a right to make sure no one was being taken advantage of in a relationship where one ranked higher than the other.

Since reading that, Spock had done two things. One, he sent a formal request for meeting with the council. Second, he purged all thoughts of Jim from his mind. Until it was safe to do so, he would not think of Jim in a romantic or sexual way.

It was relatively easy, and he thought he'd thought he'd done it in one meditative session before bed. He'd made it through his entire first lesson without thinking of Jim's eyes or his smile. That was, until Jim showed up outside his classroom.

Jim had looked slightly disheveled, with sunglasses mostly masking the dark circles under his eyes, and slight stubble on his face. Spock found this oddly endearing. It was almost impossible to suppress all romantic thoughts when Jim was offering him a muffin.

After noon, he'd spent his free periods in his office. After grading the quizzes he'd passed out, he spent the rest of the time mentally preparing for tonight. He had to break the news to Jim that they could not be involved until the hearing. It was already unfortunate that Jim had told Pike. Even if Pike was what Spock could consider a friend, his first loyalty was to the federation, meaning he could potentially get the wrong idea that they were already romantically involved and tell someone higher up.

Yes, it was best if Spock made sure Jim didn't tell anyone else until it was all approved. Hopefully Jim didn't take it badly. Spock didn't think that he would. Hopefully he'd see the logic in it all.

The walk home wasn't far, but it was just far enough that he was starting to shiver just slightly by the time he unlocked the door and stepped inside. According to the time, if he was punctual, Jim would be here in about an hour.

Spock decided to make some tea before Jim arrived. It would warm his insides back up and keep him calm, not that he was uneasy. Vulcans didn't get worked up over these things.

He stood at the counter and sipped his tea. The Vulcan spices and honey combined to calm his mind in a way Earth tea rarely did. He was just savoring the last of it when there was a knock at the door. He put down the cup and went to answer it.

"You are early." Spock's eyes moved up and down Jim's body, taking in the fact that he wasn't in uniform. Instead, he was wearing jeans and a sweater. For a moment, Spock was surprised he was not cold, until he recalled that humans were more used to Earth's weather. Still, he found himself feeling out of place still in his uniform.

"Is this a bad time? I can come back in a little while." Jim leaned against the doorframe.

"Not at all." Spock stepped aside. "Come in, Cadet."

"You don't have to call me that off campus. You can just call me Jim." Jim stepped inside and instantly went up to tug at his collar. "Holy shit, it's hot in here…"

"Would you like me to adjust the temperature?" Spock asked. He was used to keeping it extra warm for his Vulcan biology.

"Nah, it's fine." Jim reached over his head and began tugging off his sweater. Spock could not help but stare at the exposed bit of his stomach as the t-shirt underneath momentarily rose up. Some help all that meditation had been. "So, what's this important thing we need to talk about?" Jim wadded up the sweater and tossed it onto the couch.

"Just a moment, I will make you some tea." Spock was not used to having guests, but luckily his mother had taught him the proper etiquette when it came to that. "Please, make yourself…at home."

"Okay." Jim took off his shoes and sat on the floor in front of the coffee table as Spock went into the small kitchenette. "It smells good in here."

"It is the incenses I light for meditation." Spock took down a second cup from the cupboard and tried to ignore the fluttering feeling in his stomach and the beating of his heart in his side. Spock was not used to the way another person's presence could evoke emotions in him. He was momentarily reminded of the small shock he'd felt that morning when they'd touched hands. He was still unsure what that was.

"What do you do when you meditate? Sit there and think?" Jim looked over, watching Spock in the kitchen.

"The goal is to clear your mind." Spock placed the tea and a small jar of honey on a tray and carried it into the living room before placing it on the coffee table.

"I don't get how you're supposed to just think about nothing…" Jim picked up his cup and blew on it.

"It comes with practice." Spock sat opposite him and picked up a spoon to add honey to his tea. "It also helps strengthen my shields against unwanted telepathic signals."

"Oh yeah…" Jim nodded adding honey to his own tea with a curious look at the substance. "I guess you wouldn't want to read other people's minds when you accidentally bump into them."

"I cannot read their thoughts, but their emotions. And yes, it is rather inconvenient when that happens." Spock's breath hitched in his throat as he watched Jim lick the honey from the back of his spoon. His mind immediately raced to construct a scene in which Jim would do the same thing to Spock's skin. He just as quickly chased the thought away, but not before the faint affects showed in the slight blush on his cheeks.

"Alright. What is it?" Jim spoon rattled as he quickly slapped it onto the table. He fixated Spock with an intense look. "What did you want to talk about? It must be serious…I can see it on your face."

Spock closed his eyes and put his hands in his lap. He took a long breath as one last moment for his thoughts. "I am afraid there is a situation. Who, other than Captain Pike, have you told of our…relationship?"

"Well, I told Nyota…" Jim chuckled at the memory of the way she'd laughed. "And my roommate, and a couple of my other friends…Why?"

"You must not tell anyone else." Spock tried to channel the authority in his voice that he also used while teaching. "According to the rules, we are not allowed to pursue an involvement, due to our ranks."

"What!" Jim raised his voice. "They can't do that! That's against the law, right?"

"Unfortunately, it is not. They have a right to employ this restriction, if they see the power imbalance as a significant potential issue."

"But you're not even my teacher this semester!" Jim cut his eyes down staring darkly into his cup.

"I…am aware." It was harder than usual for Spock to well emotions down. "But the fact of the matter remains. The school board does have a way around this, however."

"What?" His eyes snapped up again, the intense blue burning into Spock's.

"A meeting with them to state our case." He said calmly. "I sent in a formal request for a hearing, and they scheduled us for their next available slot – in December."

"December?! That's like…forever away!" Jim raised his voice again.

"It is not forever." Spock knew such a statement was illogical, but he could see how Jim believed it to be that far away. It did feel that way when all the days were counted. "It is what they gave us. The twelfth of December."

Jim didn't say anything for a while. He just leaned on the table with his elbow and picked up his spoon, stirring his tea until there was a tiny whirlpool. Spock didn't say anything either, silently sipping his own drink. He understood the need for Jim to have time to process it all. He'd been a state of processing as well, since learning of it all.

"…This isn't against the rules, is it?" Jim asked, suddenly breaking the silence. "Us hanging out together, I mean."

"I do not see why it would be. After all, I frequently spent the afternoons with Nyota last semester."

"Ha, okay, so we're already learning to cheat the system…" Jim laughed. "Oh, and don't worry. I'll talk to my friends and tell them not to tell anyone else."

"That would be most helpful." Spock nodded.

Jim drank his tea, even though it was mostly cold at this point. His eyes roamed over the shelves, focusing on a few books on the shelves whose titles were in Vulcan. He smiled when he noticed a chess board on one of the shelves.

"You wanna play some chess? I'm pretty good." He smirked.

"That sounds most acceptable." Spock put their empty cups on the trey and began clearing it away. "But I must warn you. I am very skilled."

"I think I can handle it." Jim laughed.

Spock returned with the board and set it up on the table. There was no argument over who would take which color, and they quickly launched into their respective strategies.

Spock found Jim's playing to be highly illogical. Spock watched the board and tried to calculate how likely it was that Jim would make a certain move, only for Jim to make an entirely different move than Spock ever considered. Jim was a worthy opponent. When it looked as if Jim was actually going to beat him, Spock made the choice to engage him in conversation in an attempt to lower his concentration.

"You inquired Captain Pike about the Enterprise this morning." Spock said before moving a piece.

"Yeah." He smiled sheepishly. "I saw it just when it construction started, and…I dunno…I feel like it's destiny. Does that make sense?"

"You believe it is your destiny to Captain the Enterprise?" Spock raised an eyebrow.

"Sort of…yeah. I think that's what he…er, my dad would have wanted for me." Jim's eyes were on the board, but he wasn't really watching the game. Something else was in his gaze, as if he were looking somewhere far of.

"Captain Pike was a good friend of your father's." Spock said softly, no longer watching the board either.

"Yeah…he says I'm such a wise cracker, that that's a good sign of diplomatic skills." Jim laughed softly. His laughter grew when he recalled a specific instance of Pike saying those words.

"I suppose…in a way." Spock truthfully thought such a thing was dangerous, especially around new civilizations, but he did not voice this.

"What about you? Did your parents want you to come to Earth?" Jim glanced down at the board long enough to move a piece, but Spock didn't think he actually paid much attention to what he was doing.

"My father initially wanted me to apply to the Vulcan Science Academy. I had interests in Starfleet, but I let my father's opinion influence me. Not until I was a teenager did I find out that I had a soulmate…a human soulmate. That is when I decided to pursue my interests in Starfleet."

Spock found he did not want to return his attention to the board, despite it being his turn. Jim was looking at him with what could only be described as fascination, and Spock was suddenly aware of his heartbeat once more. "Despite my decision being rooted entirely in logic, my father had some difficulty accepting it. However, my mother fully supported it."

"What made your mom so willingly to let you go to another planet just for a job?"

"She is human. Earth is her home planet."

"Oh!" His eyes went wide, their crystalline color captivating Spock once more.

"In addition, I did not leave Vulcan and come to Earth just for employment." There was a small twitch of his lips that may have been a smile. "I also came…to find you."

This time the blushing was mutual, and there was no mistaking the look on Spock's face. It could be described more as pure contentment than a smile, but the happiness was there all the same. He was vaguely aware that he was straying just over the boundary that he'd previously set, but he was finding it hard to care.

"Am I how you thought I'd be?" Jim asked, his gorgeous smile growing.

"Not entirely. I suppose, in a way, you resemble what I had been anticipating." Spock saw no reason not to be truthful. "However, I expected you to be a woman."

"Really? So, you weren't expecting a guy at all?" Jim's eyes went back down to the board, even though it wasn't his turn.

"You were not also expecting a woman?"

"No. I mean, it didn't matter either way to me." Jim lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

"I also find that it does not matter." Spock assured him, looking down at the board long enough to make a move, before looking back up again.

"Good." Jim's face went even redder as he looked at Spock with a slight smirk. "I'm sorry, I know what we agreed…but, I gotta ask. Do you think I'm hot?"

Spock stared blankly for a moment. Jim subconsciously bit his bottom lip in anticipation for Spock's answer. "…Would you like me to adjust the temperature?"

Jim actually laughed, slamming one hand down onto the table so that the board rattled a fraction. Despite the fact that Spock was sure he was being laughed at, he found Jim's laugh illogically fascinating just the same.

"No…" Jim shook his head, taking another second to get his breath back. "Hot is slang…for attractive."

"Then yes." Spock nodded. Again, he saw no reason to lie. The abruptness of the answer made Jim inhale sharply. He found that even though it was an outright question, he hadn't been expecting such an outright answer. "I believe…for the sake of keeping the conversation fair, I should inquire the same thing?"

"Well, sure I did. It was like the first thing I noticed about you…besides the fact that you were Vulcan…and a teacher. So, I guess it was the third thing I noticed." He chuckled. "What was the first thing you noticed about me?"

"That you were male…and attractive."

Jim didn't laugh this time. His breath caught sharply in his throat, and he could suddenly feel his heartbeat in all of his pulse points. He found he didn't want to look away from Spock's gaze, even if it were possible.

"It's like…insane how bad I wanna kiss you right now." Jim's voice was a noticeable fraction deeper, and Spock found that the sound had a considerable effect on his body.

"For the sake of keeping the conversation fair…" Spock noticed the slight change in his own voice as well. "I should admit that I share the desire."

"It's a good thing there's a table between us, then." Jim leaned over it, and Spock mirrored him, noticing the dilation in Jim's pupils.

"Yes…" Spock's eyes roamed from Jim's face down to his neck. The low collar of his t-shirt exposed the entirety of his throat, and Spock did not know if he had a stronger desire to bite it or treat it gently. He'd never felt such urges before now.

Jim suddenly moved from his spot, going around to Spock's side of the table so fast that Spock didn't have time to react before Jim was beside him. Spock instinctively turned to face him just as Jim leaned in closer.

"I really wanna kiss you." Jim repeated, his half-lidded eyes roaming over Spock's body now. "And, I know what the rules say…" Jim placed a hand on Spock's knee and Spock felt as if electricity was passing through the thin fabric that separated their skin.

"I…" Spock's small noise of protest died down as all of his thoughts went into enjoying the sensation.

"I promise I won't do anything you don't want. Okay?" Jim's eyes met Spock's again. Spock nodded once, in spite of part of his mind insisting that they stop immediately.

Jim's hand slid up from Spock's knee to his thigh. His thumb stroked back and forth and every inch made Spock's heartbeat faster.

"Do you like this?" Jim whispered, his hand inching higher.

"Yes…" Spock actually shivered. He inferred simply from the expert contact alone, that Jim had done this before. He found the thought actually aroused him. It was as if he was no longer the one of higher rank.

"…You can touch me too, if you want." Jim's hand was slowly going back and forth. Spock could barely think, as all of his sensed insisted on focusing instead on the contact.

"Perhaps…we could continue this experiment elsewhere." Spock's voice was beyond his own recognition.

Jim's eyes lit up, and enthusiasm spread across his face. Only after another split second, did he go back to his calmer tone. "Only if you want to." He nodded.

Spock reached down and grabbed Jim's wrist. All of his nerves sparked at the contact, and he could tell Jim felt the same. Spock stood up and started down the hallway, pulling Jim with him. In his bedroom, he stopped in the middle of the floor and dropped Jim's hand. He stood still, overwhelmed, and as if he couldn't recall walking in.

"Do you wanna sit down?" Jim prompted softly. Spock nodded again. He felt as if a stranger in his own bedroom and was grateful Jim was taking the initiative. He gingerly sat on the edge of the bed, before moving further in and crossing his legs. Jim sat down across from him the same way, their knees almost touching.

"I'm gonna touch you again, okay?" Jim's hand hovered above Spock's leg, and he waited for Spock to nod before lowered it and returning to the earlier ministrations. "Tell me if I'm going too fast, or you wanna stop." The mix of care and authority in his voice made Spock's head spin.

Spock instinctively closed his eyes as Jim's hand stroked a hot path up and down his thigh. His breath quickened and his eyes snapped open as he felt the mattress dip. Jim was leaning in, and Spock could see that his pupils were blown almost to the point that it obscured his irises.

"Can I kiss you?" He was waiting for Spock's answer, but he still leaned in a fraction. Spock could actually smell his scent.

"Yes."

Spock leaned in the rest of the way. Their lips met, gently tasting each other for the first time. Spock's skin felt like fire, the embers burning and settling low in his core. Jim's hands went up to gently cup Spock's face, and deepen the kiss. Jim moaned softly as his tongue was eagerly invited in Spock's mouth.

Spock's hands fisted into the sheets on the bed on either side of him as their mouths molded together; Jim's fighting to conquer and map every inch, and Spock's as an eager recipient.

Spock tentatively let his shields lower. He longed to feel what Jim was feeling. Immediately his senses were flooded with intense arousal. Their mouths broke apart and Spock moaned loudly, both at the telepathic sensations and as a protest from losing it. His head slipped down to rest on Jim's shoulder and he eagerly inhaled the scent.

"God…" Jim panted. "I haven't…I mean…God…" He fell silent, trying to will down his arousal. He was sure Spock had never done this before, and he wanted to take it as slow as possible.

"Indeed…" Spock's breath was hot against Jim's neck. Jim gasped as he felt a wet and rough tongue dart out and slide across his skin. His entire body tensed up and he moaned when Spock did it again. "We must be gentle. I do not wish to leave a mark on you."

Jim moaned, his hands going to Spock's shoulders to push him back onto the bed. Spock's head landed on the pillows and Jim climbed on top of him. He hoped Spock just said that because he didn't want to leave evidence someone else might see. Truthfully, he wanted Spock to mark him, just as he wanted to mark Spock.

"Is this okay?" Jim's hands went to the collar of Spock's uniform.

As if to answer, Spock reached up and began undoing his shirt, letting it fall to the floor to reveal the black undershirt underneath. There was a low growl in Jim's throat as he went to tug at the hem of it.

Spock sat up long enough to let Jim pull that off too. He curiously reached for Jim's own shirt, and his fingers barely closed around the fabric before Jim reached down and tugged it off. Jim leaned over him and their hands began to map each other's chests, roaming and feeling the muscles beneath their fingers.

"…Is this okay?" Jim asked again as his hands roamed over Spock's chest, his fingers lightly tugging at his nipples. Spock sighed and seemed to sink down further into the bed.

"Jim…" Spock actually whimpered as his lowered shields allowed more of Jim's emotions to pass to him. The intense arousal burned low in his stomach and he barely resisted the urge to buck his hips.

"…What?" Jim leaned back a bit to look down at him. "What is it? Do you wanna stop?"

"No, I…" Instead of finding the words, he arched his hips, driving up into Jim until their erections pressed together.

"Jesus Christ." Jim covered Spock's body with his own, angling himself until he could push back. The two of them found a steady pace, grinding against each other until the fiery sparks in their skin was all they could feel.

Jim was halfway between fear that it was too much too fast for Spock, and wanting to shed the last few layers that separated their sensitive skin. He pulled back, looking down at Spock to assess.

His eyes were squeezed shut, and his hands were knotted in the sheets once more. A dark green flush spread from his face down across his chest, and Jim thought he'd never seen something so beautiful.

"I wish to feel all of you." Spock whispered, one hand going up to grab Jim's arm. The electric buzz was a fascinating thing. Spock's thumb slipped to the inside of Jim's forearm and passed over the words there.

"Oh…" Jim melted as Spock's other hand went to his hip, his other thumb hooking down into the waistband of his jeans. "Are you sure? This isn't too much for you?"

"It is not enough." He said urgently, his voice a lust-filled growl.

Jim went to action, immediately going to give him what he wanted. He undid his jeans and slid his boxers off with them, letting it all fall to the floor. He then reached for the front of Spock's pants, hooking his fingers into both the waistband of his pants and underwear and practically tearing them off.

They pressed together again, desperate to feel all of each other. Spock's arms wrapped around Jim's back, his hands pressing against the rolling muscles. Jim's hand slipping down between their bodies and wrapped around the straining flesh of Spock's erection.

Before he could ask if this was what he wanted, Spock was rocking up again, fucking into Jim's hand. Jim leaned up enough to watch Spock's face as the Vulcan's strength moved both their bodies with every thrust.

"Let me just…" Jim's hand pulled off, leaving Spock whimpering at the loss. Jim reached up and licked into his palm, gathering as much wetness from his mouth as possible before returning to wrap his hand around Spock once more.

Spock moaned loudly, his hands going down to grip Jim's hips. Jim silently prayed it would be hard enough to leave bruises. Jim angled his fist with each stroke, desperate to find the pace that finally made Spock lose control.

"Jim…" Spock whimpered again as his entire body started to tense up beneath Jim.

"Come for me, Spock." Jim was unable to look away from Spock's face. "Come for me."

Spock trembled from his first orgasm. He wanted to cry out, but found all his muscles locked. He was unable to think of anything at all as pure pleasure zapped through his body and spread down to the tips of his fingers and toes. The pure scent of Jim was all he could sense as he breathed in and out.

Afterwards, all of his muscles as seemed to melt into the bed beneath him. He looked up at Jim with glassy eyes amazement, unable to truly believe his own body could feel that.

Jim pressed on top of him again, his own cock gliding between the firmness of their bodies, slick from semen. Only half a moment later did his own orgasm shake him, his hands on Spock's shoulders and his fingers digging in.

"God…" Jim panted, his muscled slackening and his entire weight falling onto Spock.

"Indeed." Spock's voice was small and hoarse. He shifted so that Jim rolled off of him and onto his side. Spock arranged himself behind him, so that Jim's back was flush against his chest. The skin on skin contact gave him the calming feeling of Jim's contentment.

"That was…" Jim paused to pant a bit.

"It was amazing, T'hy'la…" Spock murmured, not really aware of his own words.

"Is that Vulcan?" Jim rolled over to face him, their eyes locking once more.

"It is…" Spock found himself blushing. "It means soulmate."

Jim just smiled, his own cheeks flushing. Despite the warmth of the room, he reached beneath them to pull the blankets up over their bodies. They settled under them, watching each other with a warmth to their cheeks as they couldn't help but replay what had just happened over in their minds.

Beneath the covers, Spock hand found Jim's. With the last of the emotional transference he could handle, Spock sensed Jim's apprehension. He wanted to assure him everything was alright, but he could not promise what he was unsure of himself.

Now when their eyes met, there was a shared expression of worry at what they'd just done, of what was to come. Jim silently decided not to speak of it. Tonight, it didn't matter. Tonight was about them exploring each other's minds and bodies, as first nights among soulmates should always be about. Who the hell was anyone else to tell them this was wrong?

"You know…" Jim's voice was still hoarse, and he paused to clear his throat. "When you asked me here today, I thought you were gonna ask me to marry you."

"Marriage is quite a commitment." Spock's eyebrows went up.

"I know, but a lot of soulmates get married like, right after they meet."

"Is that what you want?"

"I…" His voice broke off into a chuckle. Earlier, he'd thought it was appealing. Now he'd just be grateful to be able to stay the night here. "I dunno yet."

Spock just nodded once, feeling the same thing. It was silent between them. Jim tried to stay in the moment and bask in it, but reality was rearing its head. As soon as he climbed out of this bed in the morning, everything would be more complicated. He still had so much weekend homework, not to mention they'd see each other bright and early on Monday for the club meeting.

"Sleep now, Jim." Spock said, as if still reading him. Really, he was just telling Jim what he also wanted to tell himself. "Sleep now, and everything will be alright tomorrow." Jim closed his eyes and Spock did the same.