I can not adequately describe how relieved I was to finally just sit and play a game of chess with Jim. It had been a long and tiring day. After we had rescued Jim and the others we all had to be debriefed. A process that took us two hours. We then had to write up our reports on the incident and send them off to Starfleet. Yes, it has been a very long day indeed.

"Queen to Queen's level three." Jim moved his piece and leaned back in his chair. He looked weary-though I could not blame him. He had been very taken by the woman on the planet; I believe he had started to 'fall' for her. I leaned forward to grab my king.

"King to Queen's level two." I leaned back in my seat and looked around the room. Christine and Uhura were sitting at a table in the corner; they were fully engrossed in a fashion magazine. As I observed Christine's gentle features I couldn't help but reflect on this afternoon. Once we had finished our debriefing I had gone to see Christine in sickbay. My headache had gotten so bad that I could hardly see to walk. Christine had led me to the examination table and gently laid me upon it. She made sure the room was clear and dimmed the lights so as to not irritate my sensitive eyes. I was having a good deal of trouble controlling my emotions through the pain and Christine's gentle and loving ministrations nearly broke me down. After a few moments in her watchful care though I noticed that me headache had started to decrease. After ten minutes I no longer even noticed any pain. Neither Christine nor I could come up with a reasonable excuse for what had caused so severe a headache, nor why it would so suddenly disappear. Christine reluctantly let me go after she had run every test she could think of.

"Spock."

I shifted my gaze from Christine to Jim. "Yes Captain?"

"Its your turn, and it's not polite to stare." He gave me a sly smile and leaned back in his seat.

"I was not staring Captain."

Jim tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. "No? Then what were you doing?"

I glanced back over at Christine as I answered. "I was observing a work of beauty." Christine lifted her head and gave me an embarrassed, yet pleased smile. Good, she had heard me.

"Really Mr. Spock, I thought you believed that beauty was transitory. So what's the purpose of studying something that doesn't last?"

I shifted my gaze back to Jim. "Indeed I did say that it was transitory. However I believe you brought up a valid point when you said that beauty survives in those who behold it. Therefore it is only logical to study what one feels is beautiful so that it will indeed survive."

Jim gave me a smile and opened his mouth to reply.
"Captain and First officer please report to bridge." The voice of Checkov announced over the intercom, successfully ending our game and discussion. The Captain rose and headed to the bridge with Uhura and I enroot. I was almost out of the room when I felt Christine grab my arm and pull me back into the room. She ran a hand over my chest and looked in my eyes.

"Those were some very nice complements Spock."

I opened my mouth to respond but was stopped. Her soft, warm lips were touching mine in a passionate kiss. She broke the kiss a moment later and looked at my eyes.

"That- that was quite stimulating.' I managed after a moment. She gave me a devilish grin.

"I believe your needed on the bridge my love."

"You are quite correct, perhaps we can continue later tonight?"

"Oh yes, that would satisfactory thy'la." She then reached up and gave me a quick peck on the cheek.

"Spock! You coming?" Jim's call was coming from the turbolift. I gave Christine a long look and then turned to leave.

"What kept you?" Jim asked me as I boarded the turbolift.

"I was finishing my studies Captain." Jim stared at me for a second and then a look of realization came over his face.

"Ohh."