Only in retrospect did either of them admit that it was, in fact, their first official date. The feelings that they were busy denying kept getting in the way – in the way of their work; in the way of Jim having recreational sex - with anyone; in the way of Spock being able to concentrate on anything except the sensuality of his Captain, a sensuality made all the more pervasive by the fact that Jim did not acknowledge it. Except when he was trying unsuccessfully to have anonymous sex with anonymous beings he met in anonymous settings.

After they had been on the latest anonymous planet for five days, the negotiations finally wound down, the treaty signed, sealed, and proverbially delivered to Federation Headquarters. When their hosts insisted that the four members of the Command Crew remain throughout the celebrations, they had no choice but to agree. They were given lovely accommodations, all four rooms on the same corridor of the palace. Uhura told them that she would absolutely be locking her door so if they needed her for any reason, they would have to knock. Loudly. Scotty laughed as he closed his door, after wishing them all pleasant sleep.

Jim didn’t really understand why they were turning in when the bright golden sun was still high in the cloudless purple sky, and remarked about his confusion to Spock.

“It is 2312 planet time, sir,” Spock said, looking at Jim with an unreadable expression. “0123 ship’s time.”

“Oh. Must be like Norway on Earth. Sun shines all the time part of the year,” Jim said with a shrug.

“Indeed. Do you not wish to retire for the evening as well, sir?”

“I guess I should. But what I really want is something to eat,” Jim admitted, going to the window to look at the small village below. “Think any of their restaurants would still be open?”

“I have no facts on which to base an answer at this time,” Spock responded, making Jim laugh just the way he knew his answer would.

“’I don’t know’ is a perfectly acceptable response,” Jim said with a smile.

“But that would not make you laugh,” Spock said, a change in his tone that Jim thought he might recognize but did not want to risk being wrong in his guess.

“I see,” Jim said, studying Spock once again. “Want to go find out?”

“Certainly,” Spock agreed, walking down the corridor with his Captain. They encountered one of the residents of the castle who assured them that, yes indeed, they would be able to find an open eatery at any hour of the day.

“Thank you, bestemor,” he said to the older woman who nodded and smiled before walking away.

Once they were outside, they went toward the area of the village that seemed to be the most active, finding a small restaurant that proclaimed itself Tony’s Tasty Tastes and smelled of tomatoes and garlic and basil. “Here?” Jim suggested.

“It seems a likely location, even if the name is somewhat redundant,” Spock said, making Jim laugh as they sat at one of the tables on the wide welcoming sidewalk.

“Yeah. Must of seen too many movies in Standard,” Jim said, looking up at the round man wearing a white apron who stopped by their table to inquire as to what they would like. By unspoken agreement, Jim ordered an extra large vegetarian pizza, their version of beer for him, water for Spock.

As they waited, they chatted about the negotiations and the success of the mission. Jim watched as two dogs passed by, one that looked remarkably like the cocker spaniel one of his neighbors in Iowa had owned, the second a grey dog of mixed heritage. He thought no more about them as they entered an alley that lead toward the back of the restaurant. Instead, he returned his full attention to Spock and what he was saying.

Slowly, as they enjoyed the pizza and their company, the conversation become less business and more…personal. More intimate even.

“Because I’m not interested in having sex with any of the junior crew,” Jim assured Spock. “I don’t want to lose their respect or my position.”

“Very wise,” Spock agreed.

“Didn’t think I had it in me, did you?” Jim laughed. They both reached for the same slice, their hands colliding briefly. “I’m sorry,” Jim said, snatching back his hand.

“I am not,” Spock said, studying Jim intently. “Is a loss of respect the only reason you do not sleep with your crew?”

“No,” Jim admitted, staring at Spock and seeing a new light shining in his eyes. “Why do you think I don’t do it?”

“Because there is one person in particular with whom you do wish to engage in a sexual relationship.”

“Is this how you always seduce your Captains?” Jim asked with a light laugh.

“As this is my first attempt, I can say I have no previous record on which to stand,” Spock said.

“That is what you are doing, right? Propositioning me?” Jim had to ask, very much hoping he wasn’t wrong and that instead of suggesting they enter a relationship, Spock was getting ready to try and kill him. Again.

“Seducing you. Admitting how I regard you. Wishing to know if you are in the same position.”

“Yes,” Jim said very quietly. “I don’t really want the rest of this pizza. Do you?”

“I too am ready to move on to dessert,” Spock agreed, waiting as Jim paid before returning to the castle where they took advantage of only one of the fine chambers they had been assigned.