A/N This was originally posted under my 'fluff postings'. I think it 'got lost in the sauce' so I have now posted it as a stand alone. This is a sort of A/U, Spock and Nyota are both younger and have met anonymously. It takes Spock's curious mind to put two and two together, or in this case one and one.

Botsey

When You Wish Upon A Star

The baby squirmed and let out a loud cry as she was unwrapped from the comfort of her light blanket. The questioning mind would ask, 'Why in the middle of Kenya, United States of Africa, would a baby be wrapped in a blanket?' It was the presentation blanket. Upon it was embroidered the name of every infant who had every been swaddled within its folds. This infant was no exception, Nyota Diaplia Uhura lay in the lap of her great-great grandmother to receive the family blessing.

o say she was beautiful, would be an understatement. But that was not the reason for wonderment on the part of her parents. After three hundred years, and the birth of her four male siblings, there was finally a female born into the Wakufunzu clan. It was with the help of science, at last an infant would wear pink. But there had been a price to pay.

Her mother had prayed for such a thing. With no female, to whom would she pass family recipes, dress prettily, take shopping and plan her wedding. But M'umba Uhura was not ready for the female that was growing up in her house. Instead of recipes, she waned equations, instead of shopping she wanted to read books, she could think of no logical reason for more two outfits, besides her school uniforms,. And at an early age had announced, she would never marry because she wanted to become the captain of a star ship. Her mother wept.

As it was, when she had reached school age, she was tested and found to be in the one percentile for her age. She was an acknowledged genius and was already fluent in seven languages. She was constantly surrounded by her male brothers and cousins but due to the fact she was wiry and slippery as an eel, she also excelled in every sport she attempted. She was sought after when her cousins played team sports because they all knew, she would be pivotal to their winning. This was especially so if the game played required running, tackling, catching or corralling for Nyota could not be caught or contained.

When ever clan members were at home they always came to the Uhura's home for the Sunday evening meal. At this particular dinner one of her cousins had bought a friend. He had a very interesting facial features-pointy ears, slanted eyebrows, and a greenish tinge to his skin.

Her cousin introduced him as Sybok of Vulcan. He had come to The University of Kenya to do some archeological studies. Nyota's cousin was likewise involved in that project, and they became summer roommates. This Sybok fellow was very demonstrative, picking up the children and swinging them around, kneeling to listen to some of them. Nyota, hidden away on the porch, reading, of course, took note. She would do some research on his home planet later this evening..

It is a fact, the darkness of night comes to sub-equatorial Kenya quickly and the stars appeared low in the sky. They were like diamonds sprinkled on black velvet. As she listened ,Sybok told a group of youngsters gathered around him,

"Follow my finger, I will point out my home to you. The children's eyes followed his hand that was illuminated by a full moon, "See that faint star, to the left of the cluster of four? That is my home, that is Vulcan."

From that day on Nyota became obsessed with anything Vulcan. The language, people, government, educational system and that wonderful gift they processed, telepathic communication. But, the more she studied, the more she concluded that the Vulcan named Sybok, was not your usual Vulcan, as a matter of fact, he didn't ACT like any descriptions of his race that she read.

As she entered her teen-age years she graduated with honors, received a full scholarship to Harvard, which she pursued through her comm-link. She completed the four year course in two receiving a joint bachelor's and master's degrees and then proposed her thesis for her doctorate, "Vulcans, The Unexplored Race". Her argument would present the fact that after first contact, the Vulcan race revealed very little about its internal society, structure or history. Only what was necessary to maintain a semblance of partnership with other Federation planets was ever revealed. Nyota wondered how she would research such a closed group of people, then she had an idea.

On her comm link, this was posted, 'Havard post graduate student desires input from similarly educated student for research project: Subject-Vulcan. Presently working on Phd and have exhausted all written research materials.. Only the open-minded need to reply.'

On Terra, at Star Fleet Academy, eighteen year old, third year cadet Spock, reads postings and is intrigued by the one by the Harvard post graduate. He too had attended that institution of higher learning, thru his comm link of course. The thought of a research partner seemed to appeal to him. His thesis, had appeared to be an opposite of this inquirer, "Terrans, Their Subtle Forms of Communication".

Once he established a link with this Terran he was advised of the wish for them to remain anonymous. They would refer to each other as V-1 and T-1. No pictures would be exchanged and there would never be any reference to whether they were male or female. Spock thought this was rather far-sighted on this Terran's part. By their identifies remaining unknown, no fallout could ever reach either one of them.

t was in truth, a impersonal research project. It was determined that the organized study would be carried on as an interview. T-1would voice questions, V-1would supply answers It was guaranteed that credit would be given V-1 as source material when the work was finished. And whatever pseudonym was supplied would be used. So now began many conversations, exchanges, views, corrections, and at times arguments on everything allowable about Vulcan.s and their home planet. And at times these two exchanged thoughts of a personal nature. T-1 was always two steps ahead of him if questions, or views might compromise the non-personal nature of this study. He truly admired this person's mind, for he or she was truly brilliant.

Once the interviews were finished, T-1 promised to forward the completed work within a few earth weeks. Once he received it Spock marveled at the composition, style and empathetic insight revealed on each page. He determined the work was outstanding and was even worthy of widespread recognition. .The next time they were in contact he suggested once the work is bound, it should be submitted for a special award.

The author was hesitant and so he advised that thought should be given before a final decision was made. Submission information was supplied. No more thought was given and then there was this final message from T-1 which read, "Thank you for your support. Maybe we will meet one day. T-1"

Not surprisingly, Spock graduated at the top of his class. Since his appointment to a star ship would have to be delayed at least three years, he was offered a teaching tenure. His assignment would be classes in Vulcan Language and Culture, Computer Sciences and Romulan I. As he prepared the syllabus for the Vulcan course he went to the library listing and to his surprise found, "Vulcans, The Unexplored Race." . He determined he would get the hard copy so he could read the author's bio.

That afternoon he started going over the downloaded student information . His search stopped as he viewed a beautiful brown face with large amber eyes. Name, Nyota Uhura, age seventeen, Harvard Phd and he wondered…The answer to his unvoiced question was revealed once the book was in his hand and he turned to the back. The same stunning features touched him, and with good reason, for she knew him better than even his mother. While sitting at his desk he determined how he would introduce himself to her.

Immediately after that first class in Vulcan was through he requested that Cadet Uhura see him in his office. She followed him down the corridor and stood before his desk, a worried expression clouded her face.

"At ease Cadet, please take that seat."

He then walked over to her with his hands behind his back and said, "T-1, I am V-1, I am pleased to finally meet you in the flesh."