Jim's blue eyes scanned across the library. Students moved around the update tomes and carried PADDs in their hands. They sat comfortably among each other in plush chairs and at tables. Jim Kirk was here on a mission though. His eyes continued until they landed on exactly what he was looking for. In the far corner sat a few tables with layered chess sets. A smile curled his lips to his eyes. He made a beeline for the tables and studied the sets. Noone else seemed to pay them any mind but him which seemed a bonus to him. He moved around each table, sitting in the chairs occasionally changing his position and faking as if he were actually playing a game. He couldn't help that laugh that bubbled in his chest and didn't mind the looks he got for it. His plan was going to turn out well. He could feel it as he sat in a chair next to a window that was the length of the wall. He sat in the chair opposite and confidence seemed to burst from him as he jumped up from the seat and headed to the shelves, pulling down a few books he had scoped out earlier.

With the books in hand he left the building and walked with a fast pace down the halls to his first class of the day. It was a rather boring class in his opinion. He had already learned all of the material a few summers back out of boredom. He set his books out on his desk and skimmed through them, occasionally typing something down on his PADD, completely ignoring the lecture. His professor was becoming irritated and the complete disregard he had to the lesson. Jim glanced up and gave him a challenging look, his eyes scanning over the board then back to the professor. He typed something he had read from his book into his PADD then looked back to the board then the professor who looked to have calmed. Jim rolled his eyes before looking back to his book. He read one passage over and over and sighed outwardly. The specific movements of the chess pieces were more difficult than he had planned. It seemed impossible to learn it all by the end of Spock's classes. He looked back to that passage again and wrote a few things into his PADD, determined to have the entirety of the text memorized by the afternoon.

Jim continually studied the book through his next two classes as well. He occasionally would take a break and read a bit from the other book he had selected from the library. It was an easier read than the first and definitely more interesting. He would catch himself laughing lightly and calling the attention of the professor. He would simply wave them off and continue his studying. He wasn't sure why, but the study of Vulcan culture had amused him, especially when he read about the sensitivity of their hands. He would make mental notes of behaviours that would not drive Spock away completely. When he would find himself becoming too distracted by the book he would switch back to the book on Chess and suffer through learning the rest of the pieces.

When his classes came to an end he made his way across the courtyard and the the linguistics building. He had another hour before Spock's next class ended so he settled himself under a tree just outside the building and pulled out his book to study continue his study on the structure of chess again. He was nearly done with the book and he could feel his chest swell with pride. He turned through the soft pages with a brilliant smile on his face. The komorebi glinted across his eyes making them mimic the spring sky that hung above. A soft breeze took away from the intensity of the sun that begged for the heat of summer. The breeze rustled that leaves lightly, adding a symphonic sound to the white noise that surrounded Jim as he waited patiently and read intently. The perfection of the spring day settled on Jim's skin and pulled in his lungs with every breath. It sent a relaxing sensation through his body and his focus on the book began to drift. His eyes began scanning across the page trying to find his place and he frequently read the same sentence. His mind became a haze and his lids fell heavily across his eyes as the spring afternoon relaxed him further.

He was stirred awake at the sound of footsteps in the grass next to him and pages folding over in a book as it was lifted from a the ground. A nearly inaudible sigh was given to the owner of the feet. Jim's eyes blinked open and they trailed from the feet up the figure to see the stoic faced Vulcan he had set out to see. If Jim had not known any better he would have swore displeasure crossed the Vulcan's face as he stared down at the blonde. Jim stretched and gave the man a large grin.

"Spock, just the man I was waiting for." Spock gave Jim a knowing look and the boy corrected himself, "I mean, Commander."

"If you are going to borrow books from the library you are to treat them respectfully and not allow them to lay face down in the damp grass," Spock lectured.

Jim's face softened into a guilty expression and he stood, holding his hand out for the book. Spock handed it back, being sure to keep his fingers a safe enough distance to not brush with the blonde's. Jim noted this with a small smirk, his studies paying off. "It's not like I meant for it to fall like that. I just fell asleep while reading. I normally take better care, books are practically and endangered species."

Spock raised his eyebrow that smallest few millimeters he could. "A sound analogy. I feel it is safe to assume that you share the same opinion in that these texts should be well kept and treasured?"

"Absolutely." Jim's smile reached his eyes again.

"Spock seemed almost pleased with the cadet's answer. He glanced at the book in Jim's hands. "You are learning to play chess," he stated.

Jim looked down to the book dumbly before remembering what he had been sitting out there for. "Oh, no I was simply honing my skills," he lied through his teeth. "I heard that you were quite the chess player and I was waiting out here to challenge you to a game. I noticed there were some boards in the library and thought it would be the perfect place."

Spock fought the urge to sigh outwardly, "Cadet Kirk, if this is what will get you to stop following me then a game would not hurt." The Vulcan Spock calmly and nodded for Jim to lead the way. The blonde thrusted his fist upward in a gesture of success as he turned and headed for the library, the dark haired Vulcan in tow.

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Jim sighed in frustration as he lost for the third time in a row. He had placed his moves very carefully, almost textbook perfectly but the Vulcan saw three steps ahead of him. It had only been half an hour and Jim sat in defeat. Spock watched him groan with almost a smirk on his lips.

"You play by the textbook and I have every reason to suspect that you were lying when you said you were not learning. I assume you started only today as well," Spock's voice played on amused.

"Ah, well, yeah," Jim sighed. There was no way of hiding it. He was absolutely horrible at the sport.

"If you don't mind, I could teach you how to play. It is the least I could do after you went out of your way to select this spot and give me the seat near the window. The sun kept this spot at a higher temperature than the rest of the air conditioned room. Not very many humans know about the difference in temperature that Vulcans have. Where, might I ask, did you learn of this?"

Jim perked up at Spock's words, having finally sparked some interest in the man. "I heard it in passing at a bar about a year ago. Someone was complaining about how hot Vulcan was when they visited for some Starfleet meeting or other. I just assumed that with Vulcan being so hot then Earth was probably pretty cold to Vulcans. Which lead me to assume that you were some reptilian and you would prefer to sunbathe while brutally creaming me in chess," Jim laughed. Jim could see a smile form in Spock's eyes but not make its way onto his facial features.

"While I am not a reptile, I am grateful for your consideration. If you would like we could start the lessons when you are most available."

"How about now?" Jim smirked. Spock was almost taken aback. "I don't have anything to do for the next few hours, and I could use all the help I can get." Jim paused for a moment then considered Spock, "that is if you are not busy."

"Now would be a suitable time, as we are already here, and I have nothing planned for the next short while."

"Alright. Now could you explain how the whole, three layer thing works?" Jim gestured with his hands to the different layers, his face shifting to a curious gaze as he contemplated the object.

Spock sat forward in his seat and began to explain the fundamentals of three layered chess to the cadet. Jim became enamoured in his explanation and began to quickly pick up on the game. He found himself interjecting when Spock would show him a logical situation and finishing the move for the man about halfway through the first hour of the lesson. Spock seemed impressed as Jim began to move the pieces with skill. Though he still made multiple beginner mistakes. Around the second hour Spock shifted the lesson into game play where he would comment every so often on Jim's moves and give him advice on a better move he could have made. When they were not discussing chess they both found it easier to strike up conversations with the other. They had begun to learn of their favourite studies, foods, and various miscellaneous topics. Jim was most amused by how quickly Spock could retort and return his witty banter. The Vulcan was more than just logic and facts, he had a sense of humor, even if he would not have admitted it. Jim checked the time at around six thirty and he jumped up in surprise. They had been there for about three hours.

"Sorry to leave so suddenly Spock, er, Commander. My shift at the bar starts in about thirty minutes. This was fun though." Jim smiled to the Vulcan and placed the pieces back to their starting points.

Spock stood as well and nodded to Jim, a smile in his eyes. "This was an enjoyable afternoon. Thank you for inviting me. When would be a convenient time for your next lesson?"

Jim beamed, "how about next Saturday? We can meet here around noon?"

"That would be an acceptable time. I will see you next Saturday."

With that the two parted ways, Spock heading to his personal quarters and Jim to his dorm to change before heading to work.

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Gaila watched Jim as he chatted with customers, his grin making his eyes sparkle more than usual. She scrunched her brows together as she washed the counter, trying to figure out what was the cause of his elation. He seemed on the brink of cloud nine, which either meant trouble or something really great. She bumped his hip with her when he was finished serving one of the guests and raised her eyebrows in a curious stare.

"Alright, what's up? You have helped six unhappy ladies already and it is only the second hour of your shift. What has you so chipper today?" She brushed her ginger locks back and placed a hand on her cocked hip as she waited for his answer. He chuckled lightly and cleaned a few glasses.

"Remember that Vulcan from the other night with Uhura? I ran into him again and I decided that I wanted to befriend him, Which, if you have ever tried to befriend a Vulcan wouldn't seem like a very easy task, but I actually think I am on his good side."

Gaila's facial expression changed from curious, to shocked quickly. "You got Mr. Stoic to let you into his little circle? I have known people that have tried since he got here and all they get is a nod and a hello occasionally. Like, how close are you?"

"Well we spent over three hours in the library today."

"You actually spent it together, or you were in the library at the same time and you just consider it as spending time with him?" Gaila smirked.

Jim rolled his eyes at his Orion companion. "I am not some creepy stalker. He was teaching me how to play chess after he creamed me quite a few times. Granted I had just learned how to play that morning and I think I held my own pretty well."

"You didn't last ten minutes did you?" Gaila gave him a knowing look and he just smiled in answer. "How did you get him to agree to the play chess with you?"

"Well I pestered him the day before and got him to talk to me for a little, then I waited outside on of his classes today and he thought if he played chess with me it would get me to leave him alone. But I charmed him by appealing to his Vulcan nature and he offered to teach me to play Chess. We are actually meeting up on Saturday to continue my lessons." Jim moved on to help a few guests and Gaila watched his, astonished.

"How impossible are you Jim Kirk? You show up at Starfleet, charm all of the ladies, and befriend Spock within days."

Kirk gave her a charming smirk, "I am a man with goals, and I don't believe in no win scenarios."

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Kirk lay in his bed and stared up at the dark ceiling while he listened to the soft snores of his roommate. He fiddled with the locket around his neck and brought the hologram of the gauge up. It had been bumped up quite a bit from his shift at the bar that evening. It sat just below the second mark. If he got numbers like this every night he would be more than halfway done before the summer even started. He opened up the locket and waited a moment before Other Spock's face appeared.

"Good evening Jim," he greeted. "I see you have been very busy today."

"All of that was just from the past few hours," Jim chuckled lightly. "I wish I could say I have been working at it all day, but I have had a bit of a distraction."

"Does this distraction happen to look like a younger version of myself?" Spock gave a grin.

"I think that same friendship bond from your universe is in this universe. It was amazing, we spoke so easily this afternoon when I invited him to play chess with me. He taught me to play chess too. I don't know why everyone says he is so hard to become friends with." Jim whispered as Bones stirred in his sleep. He didn't want to have to deal with accidentally waking the man up.

Spock chuckled lightly, "When I first was at the academy I was not particular to people being intrusive. But my Jim was quite nosey and did not give up. As I presume you did. Though you were so easy to trust. I was not sure why until years later though. I am sure you will find out eventually why you Spock was easy to open up to you."

"Even if he hadn't had opened up to me today I am sure you know very well I would have gotten to this point eventually, no matter how long it took," Jim said, jubilation lacing his words.

"I understand that quite well," Spock's eyes looked sad. "I will let you call it a night Jim. McCoy is sleeping and I know you do not want to wake him."

"Thanks Spock, see ya."

"Live Long and Prosper, Jim."

Jim closed the locket and peeked over at his roommate who was still sound asleep, He let out a sigh of relief and crawled under his covers. His mind absently played with the locket once again, running over the small, smooth, rounded surface. It brought him a reassuring feeling as his mind began to drift. He could do this. He didn't believe in no win scenarios.

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Jim gazed across the bridge as the headed for their planet. Another recon mission. He buzzed with the excitement to go down on another planet. By now everyone had given up on insisting that he stay on this ship and send a few crew members down. Though they probably should have been more persistent about it considering the trouble their captain could get into. What good their persistence would do, no one knew, and no one was resilient enough to find out. Even the ever logical Spock had given into their Captain.

Spock walked across the bridge and landed at Jim's side. A small smile playing on his lips. Jim had insisted that Spock be on the recon team this planet, while it was not one of his better ideas Spock obliged. He couldn't say he was not excited, he would say he was intrigued. The species on the planet communicated through visualizing sound waves and he found that, unsurprisingly, fascinating. His eyes wandered over to his Captain as he felt the man's gaze fall upon him for longer than a socially passable time. He gave the man a curious look.

Jim smiled up at his first officer. He held a hand up discreetly with his first two fingers extended. Spock's lips turned up in a small smirk but his eyes read as amused disbelief, though it was not the first time this had happened. Spock lightly pressed his first two fingers to Jim's. Jim's smile widened as he turned back and faced forward. Their not so discreet exchange being easily noticed by nearly everyone on the bridge. They all added a tally to how many time that had happened in the past month and continued their work with a roll of their eyes.