Ari leaned against the ancient red car. The Vulcan in her said that her plot was illogical and very dangerous. Her Human side said that it was very dangerous and stupid. Her rebellious troubled teen side told the Vulcan and Human side to shut up and that it would be fun. The teen side won out.

She pushed off the car and pulled out a long durable piece of wire. Bending the wire into a hook, she slipped it into the crack between the glass and rubber. She shifted it about a bit until the primitive lock gave a satisfying click.

A small smile curled her lips. She opened the door and slid in. Closing the door she turned her attention to the starter. Folding the wire, she replaced it and removed a small leather tool holder from the inside of her jacket. She pulled out two thin tools and placed them into the ignition.

The engine started and purred gently. Ari's smile grew. She pressed down of the brake and put the car in drive. She then shifted her foot and pushed down on the gas, hard. Gravel spun out from under the tires.

Ari took off on to the deserted road. She pushed down harder and harder on the gas, pushing the vehicle to its limits.

The communicator in the dash went off.

Ari glanced at it and pushed the smooth screen to answer.

"Listen up, you damn thieving bastard," a man shouted. "Bring my car back right now! I swear if there is even one scratch on it I'll take it out of your hide! Are you listening to me?"

Ari pushed a button and the man's voice was cut off. Now that his voice was gone she could hear another car behind her. She glanced up in the review mirror and saw another vehicle following her. A man in the passenger seat seemed to be having a fit in his seat.

"Logic," Ari muttered, "says that he is the owner." Her smile returned. "Fascinating." She gunned the engine and made a sharp right turn.

The tailing vehicle shot pass the turn.

Ari's vehicle swerved but she regained control with little difficulties. She continued down the road at top speed. After a short time the communicator went off again.

Glancing down she hit the button again.

"Last chance," the same man shouted, "Give me my car back!"

Ari smirked and hung up on him. She pressed a button under the first and music began to play. It was human old rock. She liked this style and turned it up as high as it would go.

Another vehicle pulled out in front of her.

Startled she spun the wheel and the car followed suit. The skidding vehicle stopped a few feet from the halted one.

There was a screech of brakes and someone opened the door to Ari's stolen car. The man who owned said car grabbed her arm and yanked her out.

"I warned you, you piece of," he shouted. He froze as his blood shot eyes focused on her face. "You're a Vulcan," he said in confusion. His eyes traveled down her body, "and a girl."

"Amazing," Ari said lightly. "You have the competence to recognize obvious features to deduce that I am indeed Vulcan and female."

The drunken man's eyes hardened with anger. "Damn Vulcan," He cursed and swung at her.

Ari ducked and moved swiftly out of the punch's rang.

The man snarled like an animal and threw another punch.

Ari stepped sideways and watched his fist slam into his car, denting it.

"Man," one of the men from the other car said carefully. "Calm down."

Ari looked at the owner, her hands clasped behind her back. He looked like he was hyperventilating.

"She's just a kid, Joe!" the two men leaped forward and grabbed the enraged man as he rounded on the young half Vulcan.

"You little bitch! Look what you did!"

"You logic is flawed," Ari told him, stepping forward. "I did not harm your vehicle, you did." She reached up and pinched a nerve on his neck. "Perhaps you should take a nap, when you wake up you will be thinking clearer."

The man collapsed in the arms of his friends. They both looked up at her in surprise.

"Baby," a woman shouted from the car that had pulled in front of Ari, "they're on their way!"

Sirens could be heard heading towards them.

"Uh," one of the men said, glancing towards the sound. "Listen we'll make you a deal… We'll make sure he doesn't press charges for taking the car and you don't press charges for him attacking you. What do you say?"

"Not at all a problem. I will even pay for the repairs for the dent."

"Re-really?"

"I see no reason why not," she said evenly. "I had every intention of returning the vehicle unharmed and to pay for any damage that befell of it."

The sirens came closer and the police had them surrounded in a matter of moments. Another moment after that another car pulled up. A man in a red uniform stepped out of the car and walked towards the group.

"Ari," the man called, "Administrator Sparik requested that I return you to the Star Fleet Academy."

"Of course, Commander," Ari said lightly, walking to the uniformed human, her hands still clasped behind her back in the Vulcan fashion.

The Star Fleet Commander opened the back door to the sleek black vehicle. Ari sighed inward and climbed into the automobile.

The drive was quiet. Ari stared out the window as the land rolled by, her chin resting on the palm of her hand. The Commander's eyes flicked up constantly to look at her in the review mirror.

After about an hour of driving they reached the Star Fleet Academy. The Commander halted the car in front the Academy and got out. Before he could open Ari's door, she was out.

The Commander was confused by this Vulcan. She had the features of her people but there was something in her eyes. It reminded him of a look he had when he was a teenager.

Ari glanced sideways at the Commander and found him studying her. A smile curled her lips and it grew as his confused look grew.

"Tell me, Commander," she said, looking out across the San Francisco Bay. "Where is my father?" She was no longer smiling and there was a coldness in her voice.

"Uh," he said, taken aback by the sudden mood swing. "This way, please."

"I do not require an escort, Commander. Only directions."

"I- I'm sorry, but my orders are to not let you out of my sight until you are with the Administrator."

Ari let out an aggravated sigh. "Very well, Commander. Lead the way."

The Commander was very confused by the young Vulcan as he led the way into the building. One moment she seemed calm, then amused and now she seemed angry. He was beginning to think that he preferred the unemotional Vulcans. They may be pains in the asses with their total logic but at least they're predictable.

"Here we are," he said indicating a door.

"Wonderful," Ari muttered. "Thank you, Commander. I do not think you need to follow me inside." She walked forward, pausing for the door to slide open and walked within.

Two Vulcans stood at a large table, the older of the two was Ari's father, Sparik, while the younger was her aunt's youngest son, Spark. They both looked up as she entered.

"Ari," Sparik said with a nod.

"Father," Ari replied with a cold edge to her voice. She sat down in a chair at the end of the table farthest from the two other Vulcans and propped her feet on the metal table. "Spark," she added nodding to her older cousin.

"Ari," Spark said. He glanced at her boots. "You have been in the desert."

Ari made a noise in the back of her throat and crossed her arm.

"Why were you in the desert," Sparik asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No reason," Ari said evasively, looking over at a board with equations written on it.

Spark sighed softly. "Ari, what did you do this time?"

She glanced over at her cousin and then fixed her eyes on her father. "I borrowed some guy's car and took it for a spin."

"Did you have permission to use his car," Sparik asked, rustling through the papers in front of him, not looking at her.

"No, I suppose I did not. He and his friends were inside becoming increasingly intoxicated."

Spark dropped his face into his hand in total defeat. She had to do it, she had to break the final straw.

"I see..." Sparik said carefully. "There is someone I would like you to meet."

The door behind Ari opened and a Vulcan dressed in a blue uniform entered.

"Ah, Commander Spock, perfect timing," Sparik said.

Ari twisted her chair slightly, keeping her feet on the table, so she could see the newcomer better.

"Administer," the Vulcan said, inclining his head. "Spark," he added.

Spark nodded to him.

Spock looked at Ari, who met his gaze.

She had heard of Spock. He was a Vulcan hybrid, like herself. He had turned down acceptance in to the Vulcan Science Academy to pursue a career in Star Fleet. To her understanding it was like a kick in the head to the Council and she couldn't help feel some respect for the older Vulcan hybrid.

"This is my daughter, Ari," her father was saying.

"Ah, yes," Spock said with a slight familiarity. "Your father has told me much about you, Ari."

"How nice," she said carefully. A growing suspicion was filling her. This was eerily like when her father introduced to Spark 4 years ago. "I have heard of you as well, Spock. Your reputation is quite something."

"Thank you," Spock said, studying the young female in front of him. She had made no move to rise since his entrance, she was dressed in combat boots, olive green cargo pants and a matching canvas jacket. It was very 21st century.

"Ari," Sparik said bringing his daughter's attention back to him. "Spock is the number two and Chief Science Officer on the USS Enterprise."

"Yes, Father," Ari said in the same coldness as before. "I am aware of Spock's accomplishments and position."

"Of... Course," Sparik said. "Well, he has agreed to take you under his wing."

Ari stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"You will join the Enterprise crew as Commander Spock's assistant."

Ari stared at him, her eyes hardening. "I see," she said in a quiet voice, "and when is this to happen?"

"The Enterprise is to ship out tomorrow morning," Spock answered. "We will join them an earth hour before we ship out."

"I see," Ari repeated. "I had better go pack then." She swung her legs off the table and rose to her feet gracefully. She swept across the room, passed Spock without a glance and left the room.

"I will go help her," Spark said. "Uncle," he nodded, "Spock."

The two Vulcans nodded to him as he left the room after his cousin.

"You must forgive Ari," Sparik said to Spock. "She is very emotional and refuses to conform to the Vulcan way. I think, as does Spark, that to embrace the Vulcan way and turn away from Human emotions she feels would be an insult to her mother's memory."

"When did her mother pass," Spock asked, stepping closer to the table.

"When Ari was 8. She did not take it well."

"It is hard to lose a parent at a young age," Spock noted.

"Indeed," Sparik agreed. "It was then that she started to fully embracing her human side. I took her to Earth when she was 10 hoping that it would help her. I believe my logic may have been flawed and it became apparent when she turned 12."

"What happened," Spock asked.

"She disappeared for 3 days. The authorities found her walking along a dirt trail in the middle of a dense forest. She told them who she was and that she needed a lift back home."

"What was she doing in the forest in the first place."

"Camping," Sparik sighed. He sank into a chair and covered his eyes. "She went out with the most primitive camping equipment and spent 2 days alone out in the woods." He lifted his face and looked at Spock. "It was shortly after that that Spark came to Earth. It had been my father's idea that a Vulcan a few years older then Ari may be a good influence on her. My sister volunteered her youngest son."

"It did not work very well?"

"It worked in a way. Before Spark, Ari refused to listen to logic at all. After half an Earth year, she began to listen to logic even if at times she chooses to ignore it. Apparently, Spark told her something she had done been illogical and she asked him who said it had to be logical."

"Fascinating," Spock said.

"Indeed. But that was it. As she grew older, her activities grew more and more dangerous." Sparik looked at Spock. "I found out that just before she was brought here, she stole a human's car from outside a bar, while he was inside drinking."

"What," Spock was startled.

"Indeed. I am worried that if she does not stop this then she will cross the wrong person and end up dead from the encounter."

"I will do what I can to guide her, Administer," Spock promised.

"I certainly hope you can, Spock. I certainly hope you can."

Spark wasn't able to catch up with Ari until she was entering her room. Just before he could follow her inside the door slid shut a mm away from the tip of his nose. He blinked and took a step back so he could focus on the door. He pressed the console beside her door.

"What," came the angry voice from behind the door.

"Ari," he called. "It is me. Please let me in."

There was a pause and the door slid open. Spark entered and saw his cousin throwing a bag onto her bed. She stormed over to her dresser, started grabbing handfuls of once neatly folded clothes and throwing them roughly into the bag.

"Ari," he said calmly, "you are making a mess."

"Who cares," she snapped at him, going back to the dresser.

Spark sighed and gently took the clothes from her. "You are angry."

"You think," she half shouted at him.

Her cousin studied her with one raised eyebrow and a calm look.

She looked away. "Sorry," she muttered.

"That is alright. As I was saying. You are angry and I understand that. But you must understand that your father does not know what to do anymore."

"Yeah, yeah," she said trowing herself into a chair. "You told me this when he brought you here from Vulcan."

"Yes," he agreed, removing the crammed clothes from the bag and started to fold them neatly, "I believe I did. But this time is different."

"Of course it is," she said hotly. "Because now he's shipping me off into space with a Vulcan I know only by his reputation!"

"He does not want to send you, Ari, but he feels like he has no choice."

"Pff." Ari crossed her arms and spun her chair absently.

Spark grabbed hold of the back of her chair and spun it around. He met and held her gaze, with a calm steadiness.

Ari shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and looked away.

"You may not think so, Ari," he said, stepping back and going to her dresser. "But your father does care greatly about you. You are his only daughter and his youngest."

"And as such I hold a special place in his heart, blah, blah blah, blah."

Spark paused with a neat pile of clothes balanced on his arm. He looked at her and slowly raised an eyebrow.

"I know," she sighed.

"All I am trying to tell you is that you are going to be on the Enterprise for at least several months perhaps a year or more."

"If you are trying to make this seem better, Spark," Ari said flipping around in the chair so her chest rested on the back, "you should stop right now because you really suck at it."

A rare, thin smile curled Sparks lips. "Can you just get along with your father for the rest of the night?"

"If I do that he might just have a heart attack," Ari said seriously. She sighed, "but I see your point. I will try not to drive him insane."

Spark nodded and place the clothes inside the bag. "One more thing, Ari."

"Only one, Spark," she said lightly.

"Yes. I know you, so I am asking you not to torture Spock and the rest of the crew."

"What makes you think I torture anyone?"

"Because you tortured me for the first half year."

"I hardly think I tortured you, cousin."

"What do you call locking me in a closet for 5 hours?"

"Extremely entertaining," she grinned. "Not to mention finding out how gullible a Vulcan can be."

Spark just shook his head, remembering the first day as her "mentor." She had been spinning around in a chair when his uncle introduced them.

"So you're my cousin?"

"Yes, we have met before," he said, feeling surprised by her tone and way she spoke.

"I don't remember," she said, sounding bored.

"You were quite young," he explained.

"Do you want to play a game," she asked suddenly.

"A game? I suppose so. What is it you want to play?"

"Hide and seek."

"Hide and seek? I am not sure I know how to play that."

"It's easy," she said, jumping out of the chair. "You close your eyes and count to 30 then come find me before I get to base." She pushed her startled cousin into a corner. "Now count and no peeking!"

"Wait, just a moment."

"Count, count," she shouted as she ran to the door. "And no peeking!"

Spark sighed, closed his eyes and started counting then went looking for his younger cousin. Down the hall there was a closet and a stifled giggle drifted out of it. He opened the door and looked inside. It was filled with uniforms. He heard the giggle again and started pushing aside clothes.

Suddenly something pushed him in the small of the back. He stumbled forward and the door slide closed.

"I can't believe you fell for that," Ari's mirth filled voice called through the door.

"Ari," Spark called. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," she called back innocently.

"Let me out of here, Ari," he said.

"Nah, I don't think I will. I'm going to go get an ice cream instead."

"What? Wait, Ari. You cannot leave me in here."

"Watched me," she called. "Or watch the inside the door. Which ever works for you!"

Spark had sat inside that closet for several hours until his uncle had returned and let him out. He had then... stretched the truth to get Ari out of trouble for the whole event.

"Oh, I am putting your uniforms in the top part of the bag."

"Uniforms," Ari repeated.

"You are joining the crew, remember? As a crew member you must wear a uniform."

"Lovely," Ari said in a tired voice.

"Let us go get something to eat," Spark said.

"Let us," Ari said standing up.

"What do you want," he asked as they left the room.

"I think a hamburger," Ari said.

Spark sighed, "meat, Ari?"

"You do not have to eat it. They make veggie burger, you know?"

Spark just shook his head and followed her.