Wow! Thank you so much everyone for taking such an interest in this story! A huge thank you to those who reviewed and for those who left a kudos! You are all wonderful readers and I am so thrilled that you are enjoying this concept!

I apologize for any mistakes in here and I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Two

Spock stepped into Grind Me and automatically he searched for Jim. He spotted the human behind the coffee machine, face set with concentration as he made a coffee. Uhura's words from yesterday came to Spock's mind as he joined the line to order.

Human's – he was finding – were quite perceptive when it came to reading emotions. Spock had been on Earth for eleven months, sixty two days and eighteen hours and he still struggled reading the human emotions that they projected. He was, however, surprised that Uhura had picked up on his interest in Jim when he could hardly admit it to himself.

He found Jim fascinating. As apart of a telepathic species Spock found it difficult to be surrounded by cadets all day, most of them projecting high levels of stress and anxiousness along with all the other complicated emotions they projected unconsciously.

Jim projected a calm that reminded Spock of his mother. It was a small comfort he found himself indulging in even though it was illogical. He was a most peculiar human and Spock was curious to know more about him. He felt drawn to Jim in a way he had not felt with any other human or any Vulcan.

"Spock!" Jim greeted brightly when he approached the counter.

Spock watched as Jim promptly knocked the coffee cup in front of him, coffee spilling into the saucer. Jim winced, cheeks blossoming in a fascinating colour as he quickly scrambled for a cloth. Jim's movements that always seemed to be one step a head of his thought process intrigued Spock.

"Good morning, Jim," Spock said. "I trust you are well."

"Umm yes. Yes!" Jim winced as his voice carried and took a deep breath to settle himself. "Good morning Spock. What can I get for you?"

"I am here to collect Nyota's juice this morning as dictated yesterday," Spock said. "She would like the berry mango juice."

Jim nodded and entered it into the system. "No problem. That's um-" he faltered, searching through the lists.

Spock recognized the frustration mounting on Jim's face and did not understand why. Jim, despite his clumsiness, engaged his customers in a way that Spock could never replicate or begin to truly understand. Jim had made them loyal in the way that Spock saw with Captain Pike and their crew.

"I believe the price to be four credits," Spock offered helpfully.

"Right," Jim nodded, his face falling every so slightly. "Four credits."

Spock handed over them correct amount and followed Jim down the bar to where the juice station was.

Jim started adding the ingredients to the blender, constantly checking his cheat sheet he had plastered on the wall to help him remember how to make it.

With his hands clasped his hands behind his back, Spock watched Jim work. Jim was an aesthetically pleasing human and Spock had never seen such blue eyes before.

"Jim?" Spock asked.

"Yeah?" he looked up, dropping the last berry into the blender.

Uhura's words from yesterday came to the front of his mind again and so he shifted his weight and squared his shoulders. "I would like to inquire whether you are available tonight to accompany me to dinner?"

Jim fingers hit the button and the blender whirled into life. Spock was startled as liquid started spraying into Jim's face. The lid had not been placed on. Jim scrambled to turn it off and the blender died slowly. Jim squeezed his eyes shut, feeling the juice drip down his face and down the front of him.

"Are you in pain?" Spock asked as Jim hung his head.

"No," Jim said, carefully wiping his eyes and blinking them slowly.

Spock heard chuckles around them and as he turned he glared at those who thought it appropriate to laugh. He was satisfied when they immediately stopped and they returned into their meals. He turned back to Jim and reached over the counter to pick up a tea towel.

"Here," Spock offered.

Taking the offered towel Jim wiped himself down as much as he could and cleared his throat.

"Still want to take me on a date?" he asked.

Spock frowned as Jim's voice had lowered in pitch and had lost his usual inflections. "Yes," he answered promptly. "Is 1930 an acceptable time for you?"

"Ummm, maybe?" Jim frowned. "I don't really know what time that is."

"7:30pm," Spock corrected.

Jim brightened. "Yeah, that's fine. Where do I meet you?"

"Are you familiar with the establishment San Fran?" Spock asked.

Jim nodded.

"If you find that an acceptable place to dine then I shall meet you there," Spock said. "If not I have several other establishments we could dine in instead."

"San Fran sounds good," Jim said and smiled stupidly at Spock.

Spock nodded and stared for a minuet before raising an eyebrow.

"Jim?" Spock prompted.

"Yeah?"

"Nyota's juice."

"Oh shit. Sorry," Jim said and scrambled to make another, this time firmly putting the lid on. With red cheeks he handed over the juice. "See you tonight?"

Spock inclined his head. "Have a productive day, Jim." He stared for another 3.2 seconds, taking the time to memorize Jim's smile and left, counting down the hours until he saw Jim again.

"Whoa, kid, slow down," Bones said, catching the tray of dirty dishes before they went crashing to the floor with Jim right behind them. "What's got you acting like a skittish foal in a thunderstorm?"

"Where do you come up with those?" Jim asked.

"Shut up," Bones growled. When Jim was steady he handed back the tray and watched him warily as he headed behind the counter to dump it in the sink.

"I'm going on my break," Jim called and came back around, ushering Bones over to a free table.

"I have a date with Spock," Jim blurted out.

"You finally asked the hobgoblin out," Bones said gruffly.

"Actually, he asked me out," Jim blushed and was very much aware of the stupid smile that was spreading across his face.

"Well, I'm not sure what you see in the green blooded hobgoblin," Bones said and scowled at Jim's glare. "But congrats. Where's he takin ya?"

"San Fran," Jim said. "That's a good first date place, right?"

Bones nodded. "Classy. So, what's the problem?"

"Who says there's a problem?" Jim scoffed.

"You nearly brained yourself with those dirty dishes a minuet ago," Bones pointed out with a smirk. "And you called me sounding like a little girl to come meet you for your break."

"I did not sound like a little girl," Jim huffed.

"Bones!" Bones mimicked in a high pitch voice. "You have to come meet me for my break."

Jim scowled. "You're mean."

Bones smirk grew more pronounced. "Spill it kid."

"I have a date with Spock," Jim repeated sounding queasy even to his own ears.

"Wasn't that the goal with all your blushing like a school girl?" Bones grunted.

"Bones, he's a Vulcan. He's smart. I drop plates every time I get distracted by his eyebrows or his ears," Jim sighed.

Bone's face darkened like an in coming storm. "What have a I told you about putting yourself down and comparing yourself to others," he growled.

"I'm not," Jim said. "I'm not."

"Then what the issue?"

"What if I can't hold a conversation?" Jim said quietly. "You know I get…flustered when I have to think. He uses big words, Bones. He's going to know I can't keep up."

"You're not an idiot, kid," Bones growled. "And if that green blooded hobgoblin insinuates that you 'aint got the smarts I'll knock into next Sunday."

"I don't get dinner dates, Bones," Jim said. "I get taken home as the bar closes. Spock's going to realize he made a mistake."

"Kid, you and Spock have been doing something that sort of resembles flirting for months," Bones said. "Not that you would know it with a Vulcan. He asked you out, Jim. Not the other way round. Stop selling yourself short. He likes you kid. Your tea aint that good."

Jim squawked. "My tea is great!"

Bones smirked and then grew serious once more. "Spock wouldn't purposefully string you along, kid. Vulcan's don't do that kind of shit. For him to ask you out – he's interested in you kid. God knows why."

Jim grinned, feeling better and knew that Bones was teasing him with that last comment. "So what am I going to wear?"

Bones rolled his eyes and pushed away from the table. "I aint no three year old with a Barbie. Dress yourself."

"But Booonnnesss," Jim whined playfully.

"Shut up, infant," Bones growled over his shoulder and left Grind Me with Jim laughing at his back.

Jim felt marginally better after speaking with Bones but there was still an underlying lingering doubt. He really didn't want Spock to think that he was an idiot. He enjoyed Spock's company. He liked Spock's dry humor and the way that he talked. He was also incredibly hot and Jim really wanted to nibble on his ears.

"Jim, breaks over," the owner called.

Jim jumped to his feet, shaking his head and trying not to think about nibbling on Spock's ears.

Spock waited patiently outside the restaurant for Jim to arrive. He surveyed those who walked past him, some sparing him a curious glance while others paid him no attention. 1.5 minutes since he arrived he saw Jim jogging towards him and he straightened his posture further.

"Good evening, Jim," Spock greeted when Jim reached him.

"Spock. I'm not late am I?" Jim asked, checking the chunky watch that surrounded his watch.

"Do not concern yourself. You are on time," Spock assured him.

"Great. Ready to go in?" Jim asked, nodding his head at the restaurant.

"Yes," Spock said.

The entered and were greeting by an Android who led them to a table for two. She left them with a menu and poured them each a glass of water before retreating.

"So, uh, how was your day?" Jim asked.

"It was satisfactory," Spock answered. "I had three classes to teach and I am currently working on an experiment."

Jim's jaw had dropped through his explanation and his blue eyes seemed to shimmer with something that Spock couldn't name.

"Wow, that's pretty cool," Jim said.

Spock frowned. "I do not understand what this evening cooler temperature has to do with the experiment. However, the temperature does affect the experiment."

"Oh," Jim frowned and Spock understood that he had misconstrued what Jim had said and mentally scolded himself.

The waiter returned and they each ordered a meal before they were left alone again.

"I would like to enquire as to how the rest of your day proceeded," Spock said.

"Yeah, it went pretty quick. I was excited for tonight," Jim said. The appealing flush appeared on his skin again and Spock catalogued it for later review.

"I am…pleased to hear this," Spock said. "I too found my concentration had dropped 0.36% in anticipation for this evening."

"Is that bad?" Jim asked, a small pinch creasing in between his brow.

Not liking that he had put this expression on Jim's face Spock said, "I found that I did not mind."

The crease disappeared and Spock was pleased.

"So what is your experiment on?" Jim asked.

"I am cataloguing the exposure of a new plant species to earth's atmosphere from samples collected from the Enterprises last mission," Spock explained. "Introduction to new species can benefit or abolish native species if introduced without proper research."

"Abolish…," Jim repeated slowly and the crease returned.

Spock noticed throughout the months of having known Jim that this crease appeared when he used certain vocabulary. He realized that Jim did not often understand the meanings of some words and he mentally scolded himself for talking in such a way that made Jim feel uncomfortable.

"My apologies," Spock said. "It could destroy native plant life."

"Yeah, yeah!" Jim started nodding very quickly. "That's really bad. Really bad." Jim suddenly turned very serious, much to Spock's surprise. "Be very careful, Spock. Please."

"I am always careful and follow protocol when dealing with research and active specimens," Spock said.

"Here you are gentlemen," the waiter returned and placed their meals down in front of them. "Enjoy."

The conversation became less stilted as they spoke, Spock limiting his vocabulary for Jim and found that he did not care in the slightest. Spock often found conversing with people tiresome but with Jim it was entertaining and the passion and enjoyment his demonstrated was something that Spock found himself drifting towards and never wanting to end.

"Jim? Are you currently experiencing an unpleasant sensation?" Spock asked halfway through their meal.

"Yeah, may face feel weird. How did you know?" Jim frowned.

"Your face has been turning purple a steady rate of 1.4 seconds and you are currently breaking out into what I believe is hives," Spock explained.

Jim scrambled for a spoon that was placed on the table and stared at his reflection. "Fuck! I'm having an allergic reaction."

"I did not know you had allergies," Spock said.

"Yeah, I'm pretty much allergic to everything," Jim managed to choke out, hand busy rummaging through the pockets of the leather jacket he wore and Spock suddenly found a hypo being shoved into his hand.

At their brief touch he felt Jim's emotions – panicpainfuckedupembarrassment

Spock pushed them aside and stood, crossing to Jim's side and gently administrating the Hypo in Jim's neck. He felt Jim sag into his chair, his breathing becoming steadier and he watched the relief as Jim's colour began to return to his natural state, if not looking paler than usual. He frowned as Jim's head hung low to his chest and his hands were squeezed into fists resting on his thigh.

"Sorry," Jim mumbled though Spock's superior hearing caught it.

"Do not apologize where no offense has been taken," Spock said. "How are you feeling now?"

"Better," Jim said quietly.

Spock nodded and gestured to the waiter who had noticed what was happening and hovering uselessly waiting for an opportunity to intervene.

"Please bring us our bill," Spock said.

The wait darted away and Spock returned his attention to Jim who now sat dejectedly in his chair.

"I guess the night is over, huh?"

"The dining portion of the evening has deceased," Spock said. "However, I wish to return you safely to your home. You need rest."

The waiter returned and Spock handed over the appropriate credits before escorting Jim out. He wished to hold Jim's arm but he was not big on personal displays of affection and so he merely stood closer than usual.

"I'm sorry I ruined our date," Jim mumbled sadly.

"You did not 'ruin' our date," Spock said. "It is an unfortunate incident that has led to an early end of the night, but I can in no way reflect on tonight's company in a negative manner."

Jim was silent as they walked before he spoke quietly. "I'm not sure I get what you just said."

Spock nodded. "I am very pleased you agreed to come on a 'date' with me. I have enjoyed your company very much and would like to engage…I would like to spend more time with you in a romantic setting again."

"You would?" Jim asked, finally lifting his gaze to look Spock in the eyes.

"Very much so," Spock said. He hesitated for a moment before brushing his fingers lightly against Jim's, feeling a pleasant tingle where they did.

Jim grinned and linked their fingers together so they were holding hands.

Spock could not contain his gasp, a jolt of pleasure running down his hands as their fingers tangled together. Immediately there was something comforting nudging at the back of his mind and he was startled to find that it was Jim.

"Is this…is this not okay?" Jim was suddenly unsure.

"Vulcan hands are sensitive as we are touch telepaths," Spock explained. "On Vulcan, this would be a very amorous gesture. Vulcan's kiss with their hands."

Jim's eyes widened and he released Spock's hand, making the Vulcan twitch with the effort not to take Jim's hands back, to feel that sensation once again.

"Sorry! I had no idea. I didn't mean to. Sorry," he stumbled over his words.

"Do not apologize," Spock said. "I enjoyed your touch." Heat spread across his cheeks and he (illogically) wished that Jim could not see the green flush on his cheeks.

Jim grinned but kept his hands to himself.

It took them 10.7 minutes to reach Jim's accommodation and Spock calculated that his quarters were 15.2 minuets from Grind Me and the Academy. Spock walked Jim to his door, finding that he was displeased for their night to end.

"Since I didn't ruin our date, does that mean I get to see you again?" Jim asked.

"Affirmative."

"I'd like that," Jim smiled. "I did have a good time, tonight. You know, before my allergic reaction to whatever it was."

"I am pleased to hear this," Spock said. "I admit that I was…hesitant that you would not find this evening enjoyable. Human actions such as 'dates' are foreign to me and I only wished to please you."

Jim ducked his head but Spock saw no sadness in the gesture.

Looking up again, Jim took a step forward, placing himself in the Vulcan's personal space. Very slowly he leaned in close and finally touched his lips to Spock's. The kiss was gentle, soft, slowly coaxing Spock into participating, which he did.

Spock was reluctant for the kiss to end but he could feel Jim's tiredness and so he slowly broke the kiss.

"You must rest now. I shall see you tomorrow, Ashayam," Spock said gently.

Jim nodded, smiling tiredly. "Night Spock."

Spock waited until Jim was safely inside before turning around and making his way toward the Academy where his own quarters were, mentally replaying the feel of Jim on his lips.

Please review and I hope you enjoyed!

Happy reading :)