A/N: after a long pause we continue our voyages. Kirk is counting scores.

No beta, sorry for mistakes.


Captain Kirk was somewhat sorry for his lapse at the bridge but that was the price of the play. But he was rewarded for withstanding his penance. Soon enough Spock continued without any comment to relieve Kirk's pain. It was enough and it wasn't.

Spock's hands brought certain kind of energy with them, some real… well pleasure. That could be explained by lifting up his pain but Kirk was more honest to himself. The contact was pleasure and Kirk couldn't help but wonder how it would feel like on bare skin. The hand shake was intensive enough to discourage any less brave man but Captain Kirk was notorious for his inclination towards risks.

His play did develop like a play of chess he led against Spock. He never once gave up on playing against him. Despite his superior intellect Spock had disadvantage before Kirk. He didn't risk it, he played it safe and that made him vulnerable. Kirk had no reserves in using another man's weakness to his advantage. Especially when the advantage would be so fun.

Bones was no fun, he was like crow screeching on his shoulder but Kirk knew Spock better than Bones. Maybe he knew him even better than he knew himself. Being Vulcan made Spock neglect his emotions as non-existent. But Kirk knew they were there. He observed his Vulcan careful enough to notice them glancing around his perfect surface.

And he was perfect, for Kirk he was perfect in every sense of the word. It was silly really but Kirk kept his gaze upon Spock most of the time, it was like his personal window. In space windows were important and window into Spock was a glorious one. You could always find something to admire to. The funny thing was no one else could see what Kirk sees.

Everyone just dismissed him as unemotional, as he advertised himself to be, and stopped looking at him. Kirk on the other side paid attention to every move of his brow. He soon became so in tuned with his expressions that there were no need for words between them but Kirk still used words often. Mostly to poke on his shell, to make him wonder, to make him argue. It was the best fun around.

But it wasn't all fun and games. It was serious and heart wrenching because beside admiration Kirk started to develop certain deeper emotions towards his Vulcan. Those that couldn't be easily met. Sometimes it seemed to him that Spock knew, that he noticed them, but decided to be polite enough to stay quiet about it. Other times he just seemed oblivious.

Like that time they had to evacuate whole city and Kirk had to navigate his full ship towards new planet. Everyone was around him and they kept talking and touching him. Kirk was soon irritated by the noise and the contact trying to stay polite and slowly make his way towards his cabin but there was too many people on the corridor.

"Make way for the Captain" Spock suddenly appeared and shielded him with his body. "The Captain needs to go to a meeting" he was clearing their way and people moved aside as he led Kirk through the corridor but they reached the bigger crowd and Spock put his hand over Kirk's shoulders and navigated with other one towards first door.

He opened them without asking and soon they were alone in someone's dark cabin but Spock still held him by his chest like there is crowd around them to protect Kirk from. Kirk started to breathe heavily. Only scent around was Spock's and for some time Kirk found that scent intoxicating.

"Are you well Captain" Spock spoke up all worried and turned Kirk towards his chest looking all worried to his face.

Kirk lost all his words. They were so close in the dark, alone and Spock held him. Kirk shivered. This was way too dangerous for his heart, too close to losing control.

"You're distressed" said Spock oblivious to his condition. "I'll call Doctor McCoy."

"No" Kirk grabbed him by his forearm. "Don't call him, I'm… fine. I just need some alone time. This crowd was overwhelming we should have taken two rounds."

"You know that was impossible" Spock said with his serious tone still not moving away. "If we left anyone behind they would be killed Captain, you made a logical choice."

"Logical Spock" Kirk's voice was now husky his control was maintained by mere certainty that Spock would nerve pinch him if he tries anything. Bones was right about that. "Since when do you find my decision logical? You flatter me."

"Well" Spock straightened himself up but didn't let go, on contrary his grip on Kirk's shoulder became firmer, Kirk feared he'll nerve pinch him anyway. "For a human you do tend to make good decisions, which makes you a good Captain. I wouldn't serve you if you weren't logical, as a human can be logical."

"That's… very flattering Mister Spock, I'll keep in mind that I must remain logical for you to serve me" his mind played tricks on him but he kept himself stead. Spock was Spock, he simply forgot how close they were, and Kirk wasn't willing to back away, it was some pleasure in the restraining his instincts to stay still.

"No Captain" Spock frowned leaning his head sideways like when he's solving a hard puzzle and all Kirk could think of was how he could just slip his arms around his waist and pull him near. "I did pledge to serve you and I will."

Kirk sighed heavily restraining his tongue but his hand did escape him touching Spock's hand on his shoulder it was somehow endearing that Spock could stand so near to him and not notice the condition Kirk was in.

"That's very nice of you Spock" he said and Spock didn't withdrew his hand. "I'll keep that in mind, it's important to me to have your support."

"I am your first officer" said Spock flatly and Kirk wondered again how he can just miss out all the passion. Kirk would restrain himself before others but here there were no witnesses and Spock seemed so oblivious that it was endearing.

"I'll hug you now" said Kirk knowing he can't just pass on this chance of closeness he did need a hug.

"Hug Captain?" Spock asked like it was something unseen.

"Yes, deal with it" Kirk said and just put his arms around his back hugging him tightly. Spock just stood there awkwardly but Kirk didn't let go. This play of his was a dangerous one and Kirk wasn't sure he was still playing it. It seemed real as he hugged Spock. There were no need for more, just mere presence of Spock was enough to make any day better and Kirk should have been worried about that but Kirk just wasn't that kind of a person. He decided to roll with it, whatever it was and wherever it takes him.

"For how long I have to deal with it?" asked Spock finally and Kirk laughed out loud moving away. Spock was sometimes like a child and it was cruel to mess with him too much so Kirk let go and moved away.

"Thank you my fist officer" he said formally. "I was your lady in distress and you were a gentleman towards me. I relieve you of your duty. I'll be fine, carry on with your duty."

Spock nodded and went towards the door there he paused.

"But weren't you going somewhere?" Spock sounded worried.

"I was, to rest in my quarters but I'll take few seconds of solitude here and be fine. It was just too noisy out there" Kirk pressed his temple that still ached.

"Noted" Spock said and exited.

In solitude Kirk laughed out loud.

"The joke is on me" he said loudly.

Spock did get to him without even knowing it but Kirk will continue with his game. It was too fun to chicken out just because of few emotions, besides he never cared for the outcome, he cared only for the play. One day he would be all cocky and felt he was winning, and other one, like this one, he would think he's losing and he should give up.

But there were moments that told him Spock is playing too. Although he was too Vulcan to notice moments like this one there were other moments where he seemed more than playful.

Like when they were having their daily exercise fighting in the gym. Kirk enjoyed their duels and he did his best but with his strength Spock didn't have to put a lot of effort into overpowering Kirk. More so he let him win often enough. But in their last duel Kirk pulled unexpected stunt and threw Spock out of balance. That provoked competition in the Vulcan and he put an effort into their fight quickly pinning Kirk to the ground.

"You don't mean to strangle me for real?" Kirk joked but it took a moment for Spock to come around. He breathed heavily but when he pulled out he looked ashamed. Kirk couldn't find another word for it but shame. Spock withdrew quickly but the whole following day he looked like pouting not looking at Kirk at all.

That lack of contact made Kirk aware just how involved two of them got, how often his eyes darted in Spock's direction. It was a dangerous play but Kirk like it that way. Besides what was life without a strip of adrenaline?


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