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D/C: Still don't own Star Trek. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow?

Chappie Two: Chess Games

Spock was not pleased when the captain walked into the room. He had been mentally preparing himself for the chess game later that evening. Though he needed no preparation for the game, he was in dire need of preparing himself for some romantic gestures by Dr. McCoy.

How could the doctor be infatuated with him? He wondered. He was not more handsome than anyone else on the ship—if Dr. McCoy had been going for looks, he would have chosen Captain Kirk. McCoy's former wife had been a top sociologist in dealing with xenophobic humans and their alien neighbors—if McCoy had been looking for intellect, he never would have been divorced. And emotion? Well, if McCoy was looking for an emotional person, he had come to the wrong humanoid.

"Spock?" Kirk asked, looking down at the Vulcan. "May I speak with you? I understand this is your free time, and I apologize-"

"It is fine, Captain." Spock said, rising from his bed. "What is it that you want?"

"I was asking...what did McCoy say to you?" Kirk said, looking curious.

"He believes we should become friends."

"Just friends?"

Spock surveyed the captain with an almost suspicious look. What does he know? Spock wondered. "Yes, Captain. Is that all?"

"Er...no." Kirk hesitated. "Are Sulu and Chapel alright? They seem rather...sick, or...I don't know. Do you?"

"That is a question for the doctor, not myself." said Spock. "Sulu did seem abnormal on the bridge, however. I agree."

"Thank you. Have a good night." Kirk smiled at the Vulcan and left.

A good night? Spock thought to himself. He was not sure it was going to turn out good at all.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

McCoy set up the 3-D chess, hoping for two things. One: That Spock wasn't going to blow the whole thing off. And two: That he'd be able to beat the damn Vulcan at least once.

He needn't have worried about the first. Spock arrived at the correct time, though he looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else in the sector. A few ensigns eyes widened as they saw Spock sit next to McCoy. "Well, well, well!" Juliet said to her friends. "Their first date. How cute. Look at Spock. I bet he did his hair for this and everything!"

Just to let the readers know: he didn't.

"Good evening, Mr. Spock. How are you?" McCoy said, putting the queens in their right position. "Well, I hope?"

"Quite, Doctor. And yourself?" Spock asked, making sure the pieces were in the correct spots.

"Dandy." McCoy said. "Everything good?"

"The pawns always start on Level 3." Spock replied, moving them. "You know the correct procedures for the game?"

"Who doesn't?" McCoy said, straightening the board. "All right, let's do this. You begin."

Spock did, and they played in silence for a while. Spock, surprising himself, found the experience rather enjoyable. McCoy, on the other hand, seemed upset.

"Is there something wrong, Doctor?" Spock queried.

"Only that you've taken both my damn bishops." McCoy grumbled.

"Is that all?"

"No." McCoy admitted. "Joanna wrote me."

"And?"

"She's getting married. To a, uh, Mr. Sportik...I don't know his last name-"

"Y'Kor'Ta'Vor." Spock finished.

"No wonder I don't know it. And great—now I won't be able to pronounce my daughter's last name." McCoy muttered. "Wait. How do you know Sportik?"

"He is a Vulcan of high standing. Sportik is the youngest Vulcan to be accepted into the Logistic Research Center on Vulcan."

"Oh dammit. He's all logical." McCoy grumbled.

"He is a Vulcan." Spock pointed out. "Is that why you are unhappy?"

"No. I've just...never met him. I wish I could have been...never mind. Damn." McCoy swore. "You have to take my last rook."

"Will you be there for the wedding?" Spock asked.

"If I can make it." McCoy said. "I hope I can."

"I am sure that the captain can arrange it." Spock replied, vying for his bishop to near McCoy's queen.

"Not so fast, Spocko." McCoy laughed, moving his queen away.

"Oh look." one ensign said to Juliet. "He has a cute little nickname for him and everything."

"You are more logical than I take you for, Doctor." Spock said, again moving his bishop.

"Yeah, right." McCoy laughed. "Logic...who knew my daughter would go for a Vulcan. What does she see in him, anyway?"

"I would suppose she sees the normal facial features of-"

"I'm talking about romantically." McCoy said, his eyes on the queen. Spock breathed deeply, again preparing himself.

"I do not know." Spock replied slowly.

"Can't be his logic..."

"You do not find logic appealing?" Spock asked quickly.

"Well—Checkmate on level four." McCoy said. "Drop your king down, Spock. Huh. I'm gaining on you."

"I see. I made a mistake."

"Happens to everyone...even Vulcans." He looked up at Spock. Their eyes met, but Spock looked down once more.

"Quite." Spock said. "No one is perfect."

"Yeah." McCoy replied. Then, as if he was unable to stop himself, he said, "What if Joanna's making the wrong choice? I don't know, I haven't met him...but-"

"You must trust her."

"If only marriages could be settled a better way. Like, the Vulcan way." McCoy stopped himself in amazement. "I cannot believe I just said that Vulcans do something better than humans. Is there something in this drink?" McCoy looked at his bourbon as if it was poisonous.

"Vulcans have many different customs from humans. Some are better."

"Some are worse." McCoy said with a small smile.

Spock said nothing.

"But you choose your partners at a young age, correct? Is that better?"

"I... am not to judge." Spock said.

"Checkmate on level three." McCoy announced. "Did you like T'Pring? As in, love?"

Spock was silent for some time as he moved the pawn. "Why are you asking?"

"I'm sorry." McCoy said at once, feeling as if he'd crossed a boundary he hadn't wanted to step over. "Forget I-"

"No."

"No, what?"

"I did not love her."

"Oh." McCoy said. "But you had to marry her."

"Correct."

"Well, we're more alike than different in that regard."

"I bet they're alike." A lieutenant murmured to his friend. "They're playing for the same team, if you get my drift."

"I do not understand."

"I...didn't love Janine. My wife." McCoy said, his eyes on the queen. "Look at us. Two men who completely messed up their damn love lives. Well, at least on my account. I don't know about you." McCoy moved his queen slowly. "But I want to start over. I want to redo that part of my life. Ah! Checkmate on level two. Are you sure you're alright Spock? One more checkmate and I win. Is there something wrong? You seem distracted."

"I am fine." Spock said. Perhaps Spock could lie after all...

"I'm sorry if I said something wrong-"

"No." Spock cut across. In his mind, however, he desperately wanted McCoy to shut up. Apparently McCoy had no liking for Sportik, one of the finest Vulcans Spock knew. He was logical, intellectual—but McCoy did not like him. So why would he like Spock? That doctor was the most contradictory human he knew...

"So, yes. I've talked my heart out this evening, and I apologize for that. You know, the more I'm near you, the more verbose I get. Must be wearing off on me. And-" he stopped, looking around. "Why is everyone looking at us?"

And it was true. Since the time Spock had sat down, nearly everyone in the Rec Room was staring at them. The only people who weren't was Kirk and Uhura, who out of respect for them was talking as if nothing was going on. But everybody else was whispering and gossiping about the two men.

"Dammit, you'd think we were two teenagers making out at a damn grocery store for all the attention this is getting." McCoy said to Spock. "Checkmate." McCoy said in surprise. He nodded happily. No. 2: Check. He'd finally been able to beat the Vulcan at his own game. "Well, I won. Beginner's luck, I guess."

"Congratulations, Doctor." Spock said, standing up. He was choosing to ignore that 'teenager' comment from the doctor, hoping against hope that it didn't have any undertones for himself. "I believe that I do not have time for another match."

"Another time then?" McCoy asked, sipping his bourbon.

"Perhaps. Have a good night. I do wonder what's going on..." McCoy mused, looking again at the staring people.

Yes, Spock thought. So do I.