Not Mine, Never Mine, Usual Disclaimers.
Jim watched the two of them play chess, impressed that Uhura had taken it upon herself to try an activity that Spock enjoyed, as he was certain that most of the things that the two of them did together were things that Uhura enjoyed more so than Spock. At dinner time, the two of them left, after Spock refilled his bowl and Jim was beginning to feel sleepy again. Curling up against Spock's pillow, he dozed until he heard the door open. Spock entered and sat down next to him, seemingly lost as to what to do. Jim nudged him in encouragement and Spock began to speak.
'I don't know if you understand me or how much of what I say you understand, but as first officer, it is my duty to inform you of the ships status.'
Jim would have smiled if could have as Spock spent the next hour filling him on what was going on aboard the Enterprise. When Spock was finished, Jim let out an involuntary yawn, alerting Spock to his fatigue. Spock went over to the closet and pulled out the shirt Jim had taken a nap on earlier, folded it up and placed a spare pillow under it.
'Nyota said that a familiar smell comforts young animals, besides it would be more comfortable,' Spock explained.
Jim had to agree, he liked the closet, it felt safe and it would be more comfortable with the pillow, as for Spock's scent, well he wasn't objective to it. Spock went back to his paperwork while he curled up and went to sleep.
Over the next few days they settled into a routine. Spock would feed him in the morning, before he left for work, returning after his shift to check on him before accompanying Uhura to lunch, then spending half the afternoon in the labs. Kirk napped and kept himself entertained by playing himself at chess with the board, and if the pieces were scattered when Spock came back, nothing was said. The other half of the afternoon was spent with Spock at his desk, doing paperwork and filling Kirk in on how his ship was running. At dinner, Spock would leave and both he and Uhura would return, feeding Kirk on arrival and spending the evening playing chess, with Kirk watching. Bones would show up with the hypo as Uhura left, causing him to flee under the desk until he was dragged out and given his shot. Spock would talk to him afterwards, until Kirk was drowsy and headed to bed. Everything was going fine until one night Uhura brought up the idea of letting Kirk out during the day.
'You know that is against regulations,' Spock pointed out.
'So? He's the captain, bend the rules.'
Jim did not like where this was going and began to whine slightly.
'The crew believe the captain has become ill and is in quarantine in sickbay.'
'The crew also know that you have dog that no one is allowed to see.'
Jim saw only one way to end the argument before it truly started.
