The next morning Jim headed back to his quarters without a word and the two didn't mention the night at all. They barely even saw each other outside of normal bridge duties for two days.

It was on the third night that Spock was interrupted from his meditation by a tepid knock on his door. When he opened the door it was to find Jim standing before him, looking tired and ragged, age far beyond his mere twenty-six years shown in his eyes.

"Hey did I- I didn't wake you did I?" Jim asked with a cringe.

"You did not Jim." Spock answered, technically not lying; because although he had been meditation he had not actually been sleeping. "May I assist you with anything?"

"I just um-" Jim sniffed and Spock could see tears brimming in his eyes. "I had another dream, and I thought I was strong enough to handle this but-"

"Jim, your succumbing to nightmares over a traumatic experience in no way reflects poorly upon your inner strength. Do you wish me to do anything specific to assist you?" Spock asked again gently, giving the Captain his full attention.

"Can we just do something? I don't care what, sit, talk, play chess, just something."

"Of course Jim."

So that night Commander and Captain spent their time chatting mindlessly and playing game after game of chess. When the time finally came for the two of them to get ready for their first shift Jim stood and made his way back to his room, pausing just inside the door to turn back and give Spock a small smile. "Thanks." And Spock could tell it was one of the most sincere thank you's he had ever received.