A/N: wow, I have no excuse for taking so long to upload another chapter other than I am a very slow person. Sorry for any spelling errors. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Persuasion and Checkmate

"I still don't see how Starfleet allowed us to use the ship before it was rechristened. Don't you think it's a little unsafe?" Bones took another sip out of his smoothie. Jim and Bones decided to have breakfast together the next morning.

"Nah, she had enough repairs done already. Besides, what can I say, my charm gets me what I want." Jim winked while taking a bite out of his apple. Bones rolled his eyes in response.

"So you're telling me you slept with a Starfleet official in order to use your ship for a simple cargo delivery?"

"Bones! I'm appalled. What kind of man do you think I am?" Jim said sarcastically.

"I'm sorry Jim, I forgot that's in the past." Bones took another sip out of his smoothie until the very last drop of strawberry and banana was gone. Jim was confused by his comment and put his apple down.

"what do you mean?" Jim asked. He wasn't angry or offended, just really confused by his comment.

"Look kid, all I'm saying is that it's been ages since I've seen you be a flirt with the ladies. But if it makes you feel better, that doesn't stop them from giving you googly eyes 24/7."

"That's not true! I still got it!" Jim responded, throwing his apple into the nearest trash bin. He put his feet up onto the seat next to him.

"I'm not saying you lost your mojo. It just seems like you're more faithful now…" Bones said, looking down at his cup. Jim lifted an eyebrow.

"To your work." Bones added.

"Well enough about me, what about you Bones? You and the admiral's daughter, eh? Seems you and Carol seem to be messaging each other back and forth quite often now." Bones stopped playing with his straw and put his cup down.

"Yeah, well, it's all friendly banter. Seems like I can't get anything past that." Bones sighed.

"Well you'll get to see her soon. She'll be at the ceremony so you can invite her to the party then. Besides, I think she'll be assigned to our ship after that." Jim reassured Bones and patted his shoulder. Bones smiled and nodded his head.

"Strange," Jim started. " I always thought you'd go after Uhura after she and Spock separated."

"Well Jim, Uhura's one hell of a woman. Intelligent, beautiful, not to mention her big heart, but at this point, she pretty much feels like family. I wouldn't wanna ruin what we have. Besides, I heard Scotty might have a thing for her." Bones picked up his tray along with all the trash and motioned with his head for them to start walking.

"True. And I can understand what you see in Carol. Trust me, she has a slammin' hot body." Jim nudged at him. "I mean really, she's got a great-"

"Alright, hands off brother. She's mine." Bones said jokingly. Both caught sight of Spock at the end of the hall making his way towards them.

"Well, I'll leave you two then. See you around Jim." Bones patted his shoulder and walked off to the hall intersecting with theirs. Jim felt the need to flatten the wrinkles off his shirt and clear his throat. He made his way toward Spock.

"Hey Spock, whatcha up to?" Jim asked cheerfully.

"I was unoccupied at the moment and was wondering if you would perhaps be able to-"

"play a game of chess?" Jim chirped. Spock paused for a moment then nodded.

"You're on!"

While making their way to the captain's headquarters, they chatted about Spock's shift at the bridge. The first half into the game was mostly silent. Both were very concentrated on each others moves. Finally, Jim spoke up.

"To think it's been practically a year since the whole thing of Khan huh?" He moved his rook on the board. Spock tilted his head at his action.

"Indeed." Was all Spock managed to say. He moved his bishop halfway into the board. Jim leaned more towards the board, deciding which move would be the most efficient.

"You know, you guys haven't really taken the time to tell me what exactly happened after I died." Jim stated, lifting his hands to create air-quotations at the last word. Jim noticed Spock tensing up at the question. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to ask. Was spock still sensitive to the subject?

"I prefer to discuss this some other time." Spock said in a stern voice. His gaze did not leave his chess piece. Jim dramatically sighed.

"Fine. I guess I'll force an answer out of you some other time." Jim smiled at him. Spock seemed to be in deep thought. His eyes were staring at him, but his mind was somewhere else.

"Spock?"

Spock blinked and looked down.

"It is your turn, Captain." Jim huffed. He might as well change the subject then.

"Sooo, ready for the celebration?"

"I've spoken with Uhura and it appears the celebration is not mandatory to attend. Therefore, I plan on staying in my headquarters."

Jim looked like a kicked puppy.

"What? No! Come on Spock!"

Spock lifted an eyebrow.

"Who am I suppose to hang out with?" Jim whined.

"I am certain you will be able to find any individual willing to spend the night with your company."

"As if! Bones is gonna be all over Carol Marcus. And as far as I know, Uhura is gonna be busy dancing the night away with Scotty. And Sulu, well Sulu is definitely gonna be busy with Chekov. I mean, have you seen them lately?-"

"Captain," Spock chimed in.

"-It's ridiculous! Like, just kiss already! And don't even get me started on-"

"Jim."

Jim was thrown off his thoughts. There was always a wave of happiness that washed over him when Spock called him by his first name. It wasn't that rare anymore to be honest, but it still caught him by surprise every time.

"There will be many guests attending this celebration. As I've stated before, I am certain many individuals would be willing to spend their time with the captain." Spock looked down at the board. Jim was puzzled.

"Why don't you wanna go?" Jim asked.

"I have no interest in participating."

Jim rested his elbows on the table and locked his hands together. He leaned forward staring into Spock's eyes. Spock lifted one eyebrow ever so slightly and leaned backwards for the sake of his personal space. Jim was studying his face.

"I see," Jim nodded and sunk back into his own chair. "You-" he pointed at him. "-don't wanna dance."

"That's preposterous." Spock rebutted.

"Or maybe perhaps, you don't know how to dance?" Jim had a mischievous face.

"Or perhaps we should end this game and carry on with our duties." Spock huffed out annoyed. Jim quickly sat up.

"No no! I'm just saying, if that's what's bothering you, I won't dance. I'll stay by your side throughout the whole night." Jim smiled at him. Spock didn't budge.

"Promise."

Spock seemed uneasy and avoided eye contact. "You do not need to-"

"Please go. Please." Jim begged. Spock looked at him.

"It'll be fun. Trust me."

Spock stared at him. Jim gave him almost the exact same look as the day they were reassigned when Jim told him he'll miss him. Spock wanted to respond to his words but a million thoughts ran through his mind and all he was able to do was stare back and let his jaw slightly drop, which was, in fact, highly illogical. Kinda like what he was doing right now.

Spock let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. "Very well then."

Jim clasped his hands together in excitement. "Awesome!" A beep came from his communicator. He reached into his pocket to retrieve it.

"Ah crap, seems they need me on the bridge. Well I guess we'll call it quits on the game. Besides, we both know that I was going to-"

"Lose actually. I was one move away from putting your king into checkmate with my queen and there were no possible moves for you to save your king." Spock interrupted rather rudely. Jim froze from getting up his seat to look at Spock. There it was. That small gleam in his eyes that showed he was rather contempt with himself being ever so witty. Jim said nothing.

Instead he walked over to Spock, leaned over and flicked his queen off the board all while holding his gaze. He laughed and walked out of his headquarters. Spock sat there, amused.

His captain was always most illogical.

Flicking the queen off the board was against the rules.

daaang. I gotta make these chapters longer! sorry! Anywho, to compensate, I'll try to include some cute scenes in the next chapter! Remember to review, follow & fav! Thanks! I'll try to upload soon :)