Jim had thought long and hard about what Spock Prime had told him and showed him. He saw the touches on the bridge, the heart-wrenching worry when the other James T. Kirk was in sickbay after an away mission, the blinding jealousy whenever he would bed another alien princess, and then the totally unsubtle eyesex during boring shifts, conversations, and debates. With all of that to run rampant in Jim's oversexed mind, there were many a night spent using his own hand for pleasure, wishing it was the one person he couldn't have sleeping in the next room over.

Of course, there was Lt. Uhura. Now, despite how much Jim may have wanted Spock for his own, he wouldn't ruin a seemingly happy relationship (sometimes it was just too damn hard to tell that they were even a thing!). His blooming feelings of attraction and hope had been dashed in the transporter room before him and Spock went aboard the Narada. They were openly lovely-dovely and Jim didn't need another demonstration.

Since Jim didn't have the chance to be Spock's T'hy'la (he finally got it right), he would settle for less: Spock's best friend. That was Jim's goal, be the best friend Spock EVER had. It sounded easy enough when he was thinking about it during one of his slower shifts, but when it came down to actually confronting Spock, it was the mother of all the pain-in-the-ass challenges the universe had thrown at him so far.

Whenever he would try to invite his Vulcan First Officer to do something with off-duty, he would always get the same response, "I believe that I have more pressing and productive matters to attend to than the extracurricular activity such as (fill in the blank), Captain. As do you." Which would of course would be accompanied with the traditional right eyebrow raise (Jim was starting to believe he had his own degree of eyebrow lift on Spock's face). Eventually, he got him to do meals with him but everything else was impossible.

At first, he took the refusals easily and left it at that, but the number of times Jim had asked Spock and received an 'up yours' from his commander was starting to reach the triple digits.

"286.3 to be exact sir."

Their shift had just ended and Jim had once again asked Spock to join him for a chess game after dinner but was turned down...again. This time, Spock was on the receiving end of Jim's attempt at "the eyebrow." It didn't work. 'Dammit, how can Bones and Spock do it so well?!' Now he was angry, but it didn't deter him from his course.

".3 Spock?"

The Vulcan officer had now fully turned around and was facing Jim directly, "Yes Captain-"

"Call me Jim, Spock, we're off duty."

"I will not sir, for that would be improper and against regulations as stated in article-"

"Ah ta-ta-ta, let's just get back to your original story."

Spock's jaw clenched and unclenched, but he continued, "You began your daily proposal, but were then distracted by a yeoman with a fuel report from Mr. Scott who had-"

"Anyway," Jim interrupted once again, "I would again like to offer to you a game of chess tonight after dinner."

Up went the eyebrow. "Sir, I do believe I have made my position clear as to my response to your constant questioning."

Jim had to grit his teeth together to keep from almost violently shaking his touch-sensitive first officer. However, he didn't stop the glare he sent to the emotionless man standing in front of him. "Mister Spock, we have been working together for six months and you have yet to give me the chance to get to know you!"

The eyebrow then came down and a small crease formed on his forehead, unnoticeable at first glance but Jim was really looking. He was furious and upset by how easily Spock kept brushing him off.

"And you know what, if you had given me a chance, you might've been surprised at what you found." There was no way that Jim didn't believe in having the parting blow, so he turned to leave but felt a warm, strong hand branding his arm.

"Captain...Jim, I do not think that I have anything that needs my supervision at that time, is your offer still available?"

Jim had yet to turn and look at Spock, but answered, "I'll see you in my quarters then, Mr. Spock, " and left. This was going to be an interesting night.