4. "There's No Room for You Here" ~The White Stripes

I'd like to think that all of this constant interaction
Is just the kind of make you drive yourself away
Each simple gesture done by me is counteracted
And leaves me standing here with nothing else to sayCompletely baffled by a backward indication
That an inspired word will come across your tongue
Hands moving upward to propel the situation
Have simply halted
And now the conversation's done

"Sulu, status update."

"Approximately ten hours, forty minutes until we arrive at our destination, Captain. Warp four in progress, all engines functioning normally."

"Excellent." Kirk loved mornings (those during which he didn't suffer a hangover, at least). They suggested so much time for the day to progress in whatever possible way: a fresh day, a fresh mission, perfect. "Sulu, you have the conn. I'll be in the briefing room until 1100."

"Yes sir."

As Kirk turned to leave the deck, he found Spock a few feet to his left, the picture of professional composure. "I would accompany you to the briefing, Captain. As we are both required to attend the meeting it is only logical to arrive at the same time." Kirk grinned, gave a mock salute to Sulu, and marched off the bridge with Spock close on his heels.

"So Spock, we still on for chess tonight? 2100? Or now that I've won a game are you going to begrudge me the chance to do it again?" Kirk's morning was all the better because, last night, he had finally beaten his First officer in a game of chess. It had taken him months of focus and attention to Spock's game play. So worth it.

"Actually, Captain, I wanted to inquire of your interest in pursuing other activities this evening." Kirk could swear that the Vulcan had a suspicious gleam in his eyes, but he brushed it off as slight annoyance at him bringing up the defeat. He was probably getting more excited than he should have at the mention of 'other activities.' Surely he meant debate, or checkers, or the reading of another obscure text. "I've discovered a popular human game that I researched briefly this past week. As it seems to be game that Vulcans would not normally participate in, I would like to play this evening so as to better understand the pastime."

Knew it. Checkers or backgammon or something, we haven't played anything other than chess so far. "No doubt hoping to beat the pants off me in this one too!" As the two reached the briefing room they paused outside the door. "I accept, same time in my quarters this evening?" Spock nodded. "What game are we playing tonight?"
Spock turned to enter, hands behind his back and head held high as always. Kirk, however, could still see the slight upturn of the mouth even as his face disappeared.

"Poker."

Kirk had been baffled all afternoon. He barely listened to the listen briefing Uhura gave on the customs of the planetary colony they would be visiting tomorrow; he had time to read the PADD later anyway. He was focused on Spock, trying very hard to be subtle as he attempted to glean any understanding from the face of his First officer across the table. Spock's attention, as it seemed, remained completely on the information being relayed.

Poker. A game based on chance, risk, and the reading of emotion. Of course Vulcans wouldn't play this game: they wouldn't fathom going all in or bluffing (although they had the visual emotional range a master player). Chances would be evaluated to the decimal point and betting would follow accordingly. How was Spock going to fare in a game that relied on the opposite of logic?

Spock was the picture of normalcy the rest of the day, his and Kirk's shift passing in a blur as Kirk tried in vain to focus on the tasks of arriving at the planet and directing orders for the next two days of preparation and shore leave before the meeting with colonial officials. Any time Spock commented on something, it seemed that his eyes would stay just a fraction of a second longer on the captain's. 2100. Four hours away.

Two hours.

Ten minutes.

Spock arrived just as Kirk was rummaging around for the set of poker chips he and Scotty would occasionally break out down in engineering. There was no sign of them in the rec area or in his quarters. Scotty must have them somewhere.

"Sorry Spock, we're gonna have to find something else to bet with for our game tonight. Scotty's already on his shore leave and I don't want to interrupt him just to find some chips. We'll make do, right?" Kirk said a bit sheepishly. This was Spock's first ever game of poker and he couldn't even get all the proper shit together in time.

"Affirmative, Captain. As I said this morning, I have done some previous research and I have found an alternative that uses quite commonplace items to bet with."

As the two sat on the floor, Jim shuffling the deck of cards after throwing the jokers onto the bed, he replied "Spock, as always: Jim when we're off duty. Alright, we're all shuffled." He paused after dealing a card or two. "So you know the basics of the game from reading, right? Five cards each, betting based on a hierarchy of hands?"

"Yes, Jim." Kirk grinned – for a few weeks Spock had been responding without protest to his requests about calling him by his name. "Normally, the betting would begin with a standard pool and progress during the game, but in the version I suggest tonight the rules appear to be somewhat simpler: you either win or lose the hand. If you lose, you lose."

Kirk finished dealing the two sets of cards and picked up his hand. "Lose what?" Excellent, two eights already.

"If I'm not mistaken, an article of clothing."

More later, I will continue this moment soon! Please let me know what you think when you read, since this is my first ever fanfiction work I'd like feedback and advice. Cheers!