On Vulcan…

"Look, it's him…" said a young Vulcan boy to his friends.

A young Spock lifted his head up slowly, his back turned to the three Vulcan boys.

"I presume you are going to make fun of me again today? This has been the 35th time this month alone," he stated unperturbed by the three larger Vulcan bullies.

He turned to face them. One of the boys, the leader, sneered and stepped forward, shoving him hard. Spock did not fall.

"Well it's your mother's fault you're the casualty of our fun. She is the human…" but he was cut off by an angry voice.

"Hey, leave him alone!" a girl his age walked up to the group and stood near Spock.

The Vulcan boys stared at her. Spock couldn't help but stare as well. No one had ever defended him before, not even his own father, and here was this girl…Spock noticed her ears…this human girl, on the planet Vulcan, yelling at Vulcan students who were trying to bully him.

"I always see you trying to pick on him and no one says anything! What you're doing is wrong. Just walk away now and there won't be any further problems," she finished trying to stand tall.

Spock looked back at the Vulcan boys. The leader smirked slightly and walked forward moving straight up to the girl and shoving her hard. She went flying to the ground with a yelp.

"Mind your own business human. Why don't you go back to your planet and stop infecting ours? Maybe she could take that traitor father and human whore you call a mother back…" he never finished his sentence as Spock shoved him hard.

The bully went sliding down the ramp that led to their testing area. Spock followed after him and punched him square in the face. The bully got one hit, but that was it. Due to Spock's natural quickness and superior fighting skills, he had the bully on the floor in seconds and proceeded to beat the hell out of him. The bully's friends stared, not attempting to help. A Vulcan is never supposed to lose his cool like that. Spock went to strike the bully again but his arm was caught by a firm grip. He looked up to see the girl holding his arm.

"That's enough…you got him…I think you won…" she said slowly letting go of his arm.

Spock stopped hitting him and stood up. A stern voice called his name and the two looked up seeing Sarek, the ambassador of Vulcan and Spock's father. The girl bowed her head politely and Spock followed his father as they walked. They stopped by a bench in the testing center's lobby and sat down. Sarek explained to Spock that emotions were not becoming of a Vulcan and that although emotions ran high in Vulcan, sometimes higher than humans, they would not be accepted. Spock asked why he married his mother and his father told him it was his obligation as ambassador. It was logical. He told Spock he had a choice and it was up to Spock to choose which path he would follow, being a child of two worlds. Spock exited the room and stepped outside. He was greeted by none other then the girl. She walked up to him casually.

"Hey, I hope you didn't get in trouble. You didn't do anything wrong," she said softly.

Spock finally took a minute to observe her. She was his age. She had short, dark brown hair and big green eyes. Her skin was a soft ivory color. The girl smiled as she watched him assess her. He noticed her elbow was scraped and bleeding slightly. She followed his eyes and grimaced.

"Ugh, I don't like blood…" she said, trying to cover it with her hand. Spock raised an eyebrow.

"My mother can fix that for you if you'd like…" he said, trying to keep a monotone voice. The girl's smile widened.

"Good, because I really didn't want to go home…" she said laughing. "By the way, my name's Olivia…Olivia Monroe. Your Spock right?" she added. "Yes," he said and started walking. She followed.

Amanda Grayson was so kind that Olivia didn't know how she could be married to the stern faced ambassador.

"There you go Olivia, all better," Amanda said kindly. Olivia thanked her.

Then Amanda turned to Spock. "What happened to you Spock? Please tell me," she said gently, running her finger over his bloody lip.

Spock looked away not wanting to tell his mother what those boys said about her. Olivia spoke up.

"These Vulcan boys were teasing me because I wasn't like them and Spock helped me out. I'm grateful that all I got was a scrape. Please don't be mad at him," she fibbed.

Amanda smiled proudly at her son, who was shocked that the girl lied for him. He knew it was wrong to lie but for some reason it fit in this case.

"I'm so proud of you Spock, standing up for her like that. You did the right thing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Amanda was shocked when her son brought home a friend and a human girl no less. Spock could only muster up a nod.

"So Mrs. Grayson I was wondering if maybe Spock could go outside with me for a little while…it's hard making friends around here and I could sure use one," she said sweetly.

Spock stared at her and then turned to his mother. Amanda smiled warmly.

"Of course he can go with you. I think it's great that you two are friends. I bet it will be a long and prosperous friendship. Go on now, and Olivia, call me Amanda honey. No formalities needed here." Olivia grinned and nodded. Spock followed her out into the hot sun and they began walking.

"Do you have a destination in mind, Olivia?" he asked her, trying to execute what he knew as, 'casual conversation.' Olivia smirked.

"Nope, that's the best part. I have no idea where we're going. I just know that it's away from all those tests and bullies." Spock stared at her and this time she looked back.

"Why do you live on Vulcan?" he asked and she lowered her head.

"It wasn't by choice, that's for sure…" she muttered.

She looked back up at him, the sadness gone and the grin there.

"I'll tell you what you want to know but first you have to come with me. I want to show you something."

Spock nodded and they took off. When they came to a stop he watched as Olivia crawled into a small opening in the rock. It was a small cave. Spock followed. He had never been around this area, always so close to home or studying. A dim light shone in the cave.

"Why are we here?" Spock asked curiously.

"I come here when I don't want to be anywhere else on Vulcan. It's dark and cool, not hot and bright like this planet. I brought you here because I want to share it with you…" she said kindly.

Spock furrowed his eyebrows trying to figure out a logical explanation as to why he was brought here.

"Why?" he murmured. Olivia giggled. "Because you're my friend. And friends share things." Spock raised an eyebrow.

"Why did you defend me against those Vulcan boys?" he asked bluntly, changing the subject for the time being. Olivia smiled sadly.

"I think we share a bond of loneliness that no one can understand here on Vulcan…perhaps we were both just not meant for this place," she stated simply.

Spock stared down at the floor. He would not admit those feelings or any for that matter. He barely knew her. Olivia watched him.

"My parents came here from Earth…they worked for a place called Starfleet Academy back there. Their job sent them to different planets. This one was there favorite planet, so after my mom went on leave and my father retired due to a leg injury, they came back here to Vulcan. Because of their allegiance, they were welcomed. They've been happy ever since, but not me. I know once I get to the suitable age, I'm going to Starfleet Academy. That's where I belong I know it."

Spock became curious.

"Starfleet Academy?" he asked and Olivia nodded.

"It's a school for people who want to captain spaceships or become communications officers or something like that. We would go to learn about different things and then later on teach there. We would be sharing our knowledge with people from Earth and receiving knowledge in return."

Spock nodded. He knew that. But why hadn't anyone told him of Starfleet Academy?

"You've taken the exams here?" he asked, realizing she used words like 'we' and 'us.'

"Yes I have taken some and I passed with fine grades. There are some tests I can't take because of my race, but that's okay. I know you guys are private and don't really share much. I'm happy I got to take some of the exams. I excel at communications and strategic development, you know, different languages and planning different points of attack. I have a photographic memory too. That helps…"

Spock was surprised. She's human and she passed Vulcan exams. She was quite intelligent.

"I know what you're thinking, but I'm really not that smart…don't get me wrong, I'm not dumb, but I'm not brilliant either," she laughed softly.

Spock felt the corners of his mouth twitch. He knew he wanted to smile. She was funny to him. He wanted to ask her a question, more of a request but he didn't feel as if it was his place to ask her.

"May I ask a personal query?" he went for it anyway.

He was feeling quite bold around her. Olivia nodded.

"When you go to this Starfleet Academy…perhaps, I may join you?" he asked in almost a whisper.

Olivia stared at him for a moment and then smiled wide.

"That would be amazing! Of course you can come with me. I was going to ask you but I didn't think you'd want to. That's what I get for over analyzing the situation…" she said chuckling.

Spock let out a small smile. Olivia caught it.

"Hey, I'll make you a promise…" Olivia said and Spock waited.

She had his full attention.

"You teach me how to fight and be quick like you…and I'll teach you every language I know…which is many," she said staring at him.

"Why do you wish to fight?" he asked sincerely.

Olivia smiled.

"So I don't need you coming to my rescue when we go to Starfleet…" she stated.

Spock agreed.