Despite Claire's initial apprehension, her first week on the Enterprise had been rather pleasant. McCoy had decided that she was an able enough doctor and she had been allowed to even begin helping him with his personal research. She realized after a while that his sense of humor was primarily based on complaining. While annoying occasionally, she was getting used to his constant whining. It usually meant he was in a good mood.

It was these human intricacies that always confused Claire as a betazoid. Her race was unerringly transparent, something outsiders occasionally found unnerving. Claire was no exception, though perhaps less so than a full betazoid. Every time she went to visit her mother she had to adjust for her mothers unreserved criticism, primarily regarding her lack of a gene bonded mate.

Of course Claire had options growing up. Her mother was powerful in the Third House, a prominent spiritual healer among her people. Even though Claire was half betazoid and rarely planet side many families saw an opportunity to ally themselves with the powerful family. Claire was, however, less inclined to make any decisions regarding mating. Her mother would have fully bypassed Claire's decision to abstain if not for her father's support, ensuring that Claire was unbonded for the foreseeable future.

This had resulted in Claire's mother, Liaxiya Tolbru, incessantly commenting about Claire's age and prospects. The fact that betazoids were not monogamous did not change her perspective, since she woefully predicted that Claire would be child and mateless, choosing instead the grueling and transient life of Starfleet officer. So far Claire had proved her right, opting at every turn to choose freedom and adventure over constriction.

However the Enterprise had shown itself to not be as adventurous as she had hoped. Perhaps she would have to wait patiently for a derelict spacecraft or mysterious alien illness, but so far her days had been predictable though interesting and her evenings mundane. When faced with a full weekend to occupy her time, Claire had come up empty.

Claire wasn't quite sure how the galaxy's most advanced spaceship could have such a limited supply of leisure activities that didn't involve sitting down, but it did. Back on earth she would have spent her days doing any number of things, but primarily she enjoyed the novelty roller skating rink on the outskirts of the city, blues and swing dancing and even the occasional pool hall. Either way she wasn't sitting still in front of a game of 3D chess in the mess hall in the middle of the night trying to relearn the game her father had taught her. Unfortunately that was where she found herself on this Saturday night.

The computer was taking it easy on her, she knew that. Her novice level experience with strategic play was very apparent as she stumbled through the game.

"I am unfamiliar with the technique you are implementing." The voice behind her made her jump as she dropped her game piece.

Claire put a hand on her chest and laughed as she realized it was Spock was interrupting her game. "Gods you scared me." She picked up the chess piece, placing it back on the board. "And that would because there is absolutely no technique. I'm allowing entropy to guide me."

"An unwise strategy." He said, his arms behind his back as he observed her.

"With a computer as a partner, the incentive to improve is rather low."

"I am sure other crew members would be happy to be partnered with you."

"Most people find mind reading to be an unfair advantage in an opponent."

"I was unaware your abilities were so advanced."

"They aren't but I can usually get an idea of when they are doing an important move. From there I can assess the situation."

"Are all moves not equally important?"

"Only if you care about the outcome I suppose."

"Is the point of the game not to win?" Spock asked, perplexed by her indifference.

"My goal, as it so often seems to be on this ship, is to not be bored."

"Do you find your duties boring, cadet?"

Claire sighed, realizing this was probably not an appropriate conversation to have with an officer. "My REM cycles work differently than that of humans and I require less sleep. On earth I was very active, usually doing physical activities at my leisure on any given evening. Outside of my duties I have a surplus of time and not much to do with it."

"There is a recreation hall on deck 3."

"Which I was at for 2 hours today." Claire was thoughtful for a moment. "I have considered that making friends may be helpful at this point but I'm bad at it."

Spock cocked his head to the side, as he had a habit of doing. "Was I wrong to think that betazoids were a social species?"

"You weren't wrong, but I have still not adjusted to humans lying. It makes me like them less and consequently they dislike me when I make them accountable for their lie." She explained. "I also apparently have a terrible sense of humor." She said dismissively, making a move before the computer called out a resounding "Check Mate."

"Damnit." She muttered before leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms.

"As a Vulcan, I too require less sleep and often find myself playing chess alone. Perhaps I can teach you some techniques in order for you to be a worthy opponent."

"I'm not sure I can out logic a Vulcan."

"Between your telepathic ability and my logic, perhaps we will be more evenly matched."

Claire scoffed before looking up at him. "Sure, what's the harm. I suppose a Vulcan won't be bothered by honesty."

Spock looked confused for a moment. "As I am incapable of lying myself, I am not sure why I would have any reason to oppose another person being equally unable."

"Oh just sit down then." Claire said, ready to get started.

Spock sat down across from her, carefully rearranging the pieces back to their starting position.

"I don't suppose you will take it easy on me." She asked, knowing he likely wouldn't.

"You would not learn nearly as effectively." He replied.

Claire considered pouting, but decided against it. First Officers likely did not look fondly on bratty behavior, though she did have a propensity for it.

"The first thing to consider when starting a game of chess is to choose your strategy wisely. This can be done best when you know your opponent. However, not all players utilize the same strategy consistently, so there are many other factors to consider."

"How soon do you use the strategy?"

"Immediately. Your first goal typically is to occupy the center for tiles of the game. These four tiles offer you the most options for mobility." Spock pointed to the four tiles in the middle tier. "However, I think it would be wise for you to begin with a Sicilian defense. You were implementing a flawed variant of it against the computer."

Spock continued to explain the game to Claire, teaching her about fool's mate, pins, skewers, forks and the various other strategies. After a solid hour of teaching she finally cut him off.

"I think I will learn better by playing."

"Chest masters spend hours studying theory without ever touching a game piece."

"I am content being a layman. I shall embrace my mediocrity, celebrate it even. Now let's play."

The game was short. Claire tried to listen in on his thoughts but every move was given the same intentional thought as every other with no special weight attributed. He did occasionally pause to compliment a move or inform her of a missed opportunity, but was otherwise relatively quiet.

Claire was delighted to lose, noting that she was able to pinpoint the exact moves in which he gained his advantage.

"Another?" She asked, not quite ready to sleep.

"Cadet, I am afraid I do not have the same luxury of a weekend as you do. I must return to my quarters and rest adequately in order to perform my duties." He paused for a moment. "However, I would not oppose another game on some other evening."

Claire stood up, straightening her outfit. It was her Saturday so she had opted for a royal blue dress over a pair of purple leggings. Betazoids preferred to wear jewel tones, enjoying the beauty of the vibrant colors.

"Of course. Shall we say tomorrow evening?" She asked.

"I will be heading an away team planet side to assess the status of an abandoned mine. I do not think I will return until Monday." Spock replied.

"Of course. I am on call for injuries so better not get hurt. I don't want my day off ruined." She said, cracking a smile.

"Was that a joke cadet?"

"An attempt at a joke."

"I see. Fascinating."

She could tell he didn't find the joke funny but rather her attempt at humor to be amusing.

'Better charming than obnoxious.' She thought, noting that he didn't seem to dislike her poor attempts at humor as much as most humans did, finding her to be awkward. Which she admittedly was.

"Oh and commander, I wanted to apologize."

"You do not have to apologize for being a poor chess player. It is only to be expected-"

Claire cut him off. "No, not about that, though 'poor' seems like a bit of an exaggeration. I'm sorry for bringing up Pon Farr and questioning your preparedness."

"You were concerned for my health and that of the crew. It was wise to ask."

"Wise but perhaps inappropriate." She said. "I understand that Pon Farr is a rather private experience for vulcans. I also wasn't sure if you had a bond mate, as I know many vulcans bond at a young age."

"As do betazoids, from what I am aware."

Claire laughed. "Yeah, my mother loves to remind me of that. I am blissfully unmated. There are no strings on me."

"How fascinating, a pinocchio reference when discussing marriage. Do you think of marriage as being controlled?"

"Hardly, but being bonded to someone as a child seems hardly like a choice at all."

"I did have a mate, but she died when Vulcan was destroyed."

"I see." Claire was quiet for a moment, her expression softening. She tried to sense his emotions regarding the subject but could not determine his feelings. The only emotion that ran through him was a relative indifference. "I am truly sorry to hear that. I can't imagine losing as much as you did in a single day."

"There is no reason to be sorry." He said, his feelings still a steel wall of impassible logic. "Besides, I had very little communication with T'Pring over the course of the years and was under the impression that she preferred my absence."

"I would say that she missed you, but I imagine you have a better assessment of her affections than I do."

"I was informed she had taken an interest in another male as a possible mate." He replied.

Claire couldn't help but chuckle, immediately realizing how inappropriate that was, she stopped laughing. "I'm sorry. I did not realize infidelity was an issue on vulcan. I always thought you were ruled by more logical impulses."

"I am sure he was a more logical choice in a partner than I was. I do not doubt her reasoning. Her logic was usually impeccable."

"I don't suppose you ever feel obligated to leave Starfleet and join your people on New Vulcan?"

"I have been encouraged to explore the possibilities aboard the Enterprise. Should the captain no longer require my advice, perhaps then will I reconsider taking a role on New Vulcan." He paused for a moment. "Perhaps you will leave Starfleet upon entering your Phase."

Claire let out a genuine full bodied laugh, partially caused by the question but also by his clear discomfort around the subject. "Oh that pesky old thing. I'm not sure. As a half betazoid I can only hope it's half as powerful. But seeing as I have been happily single for a very long time, I don't worry too much about it. I doubt I will suddenly desire a mate."

"Pon Farr has no such luxury."

"So I have studied." Claire paused. "This seems silly to say, but should you decide meditation is not effective, I can attempt some telepathic practices to ease your. I have a low level of projection skills most of the time, but I have found that I am slightly more skilled with other telepathic beings."

"I will consider your offer. I highly doubt it will come to that."

"But if it does." Claire tapped her forehead and winked. "I'm a real killjoy when I need to be."

"I will make a note of that."

"Yes, please add it to my file."

"I doubt that is necessary information to include in your personnel records."

"That was a joke."

A flash of enjoyment flashed through his mind, making Claire smirk. "Perhaps you need lessons in both humor and chess." He said, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Can't wait."