Not Mine, Never Mine, Usual Disclaimers.

A/N: I've been sitting at my computer all day so I finished already. Also for those of you who have been wondering Uhura is jealous and doesn't know how to tell Spock she wants to spend more time alone with him. There is some more bitchiness, but it's not as bad and she will calm down, I promise, I just need to work it in.

Spock watched as Dr McCoy set up simple toys designed to develop a child's most basic reasoning and logic skills. Spock could see how they worked easily enough, but failed to see how someone without the use of hands would be able to operate such objects. Apparently the captain was equally unimpressed, and wore an expression that Spock could have sworn was disgust. As soon as the doctor was sufficiently distracted, the pup stole the PADD that McCoy had brought with him, pushing it across the floor and under the desk where it was not visible. Spock began to wonder if the captain was of a higher intelligence that anyone had given him as of yet.

'Did you see where I put my PADD?'

Spock was saved from answering by the faint sound of cracking plastic. McCoy ducked under the desk to investigate and the captain slipped out just as McCoy pulled out the now rather chewed PADD.

'Rascal,' McCoy commented.

The pup responded by lifting his hind leg, making it clear what he intended to do.

'Oh no you don't,' McCoy said, lunging for the pup.

The pup skidded across the floor and slithered back into the slightly open closet. Spock was wondering if this was normal behaviour for a dog.

'I think, you should return and try again when the captain is feeling a little more co-operative,' Spock said, in his usual tone.

Without a word McCoy packed up and left, somewhat red in the face. Spock headed for the closet the minute the door to his quarters closed. There was a large bulge in the shirt on the floor that indicated the pup's chosen hiding place.

'Come out captain,' Spock coaxed, wishing he knew what he was doing, this was illogical to the extreme, 'McCoy is gone.'

'I was wondering what McCoy was doing in you quarters,' Nyota commented from behind.

Spock had been so preoccupied with the captain he had not heard her some in.

'I was not expecting you back so soon,' he commented.

'I was looking for my book, then realised that you still had it.'

'In the cupboard.'

As she pulled the door open, she saw the chess set sitting on the shelf. She pulled it out and turned to Spock, who had coaxed he pup out of the closet.

'Teach me to play?' she asked.

'Do you not already possess this knowledge?'

'I know the rules yes, but I'm nowhere close to being good.'

Spock considered the implications of the scenario before replying, 'very well, if you desire a chess match then we shall play.'

The pup jumped up and sat next to the board as they played, seemingly interested in what they were doing. Several matches later and Nyota's skills were improving marginally. He wondered if she was truly interested in improving her skills or if she was just trying to spend time with him, in an activity that he enjoyed.