Disclaimer: I don't not own Star Trek. I make no money from this work.
Author's Note: Please be aware this work has not been beta'd. I apologize in advance for any mistakes that may be lurking within.
Five times Spock saw Nyota shed tears and the one time she saw them fall from his eyes.
One
The group had been remarkably quiet, as human children go, while they were guided through the Vulcan embassy's visitors center. They did as they were instructed by their teachers, asking their questions by way of raising their hands and waiting quietly to be acknowledged, speaking in subdued tones.
Spock watched curiously from a corner as the students progressed from one exhibit to another, some smiling and pointing at items of interest, while others held hands and, 'skipped' was how his mother described the movement, as opposed to walking from place to place. His dark eyes tracked their journey as he waited for his mother to arrive from a meeting with his father so they could visit his human grandparents. He was fascinated at the myriad of facial expressions on display as the children, looking more than half his years, took in the sights and sounds of a vastly different world from their own, many openly gawking at the Vulcan assigned to accompany them with their teachers.
He observed one of the children as they took, then tugged on an elders hand rather insistently. After a short conversation with the child, the teacher addressed the entire group and several little heads shook vigorously. From the way the first child started to squirm, Spock surmised a toilet break was in order. The teacher, a female human spoke to the Vulcan guide and he nodded and indicated for the group to follow him and they quickly formed a line. They would file past the young Vulcan on their way to the lavatories.
Spock studied the string of children as they passed him by, not feeling obligated to look away as they were unabashed in their scrutiny of him, more than one pointing and giggling, even as their teachers attempted to discreetly chastise the behavior. The group was almost past him when a boy began snickering and made a rude and rather loud remark about Spock's ears, which was new for him as he was generally harassed in regards to his human half. Before the teacher could respond, there was a small gasp, then the offending smart mouth let out a loud yelp and burst into tears on the heels of a sharp slap, the unmistakable sound of an opened hand connecting with its target. The boy crumpled to the floor wailing, as he held his ear that had been very efficiently 'boxed', revealing his surprising assailant, a petite brown skinned girl with braids in her hair and indignation and tears in her large chocolate eyes.
"How dare you pick on him Zachary Martin, you dim-witted, nasty little tribble herder!" The tiny tyrant seethed, drawing the few remaining individuals who had not turned toward the commotion in. "I've put up with your foul mouth all day while you said mean things to me, but I won't let you do it to him. They invited us here!"
Spock ground his teeth, not in anger, but to assure himself that his mouth had not dropped open on his jaws way to the floor, betraying his shock at the little girls defense of him.
The human teachers quickly descended on the warring children. One went to the boy sobbing on the floor, trying to soothe him as she inspected him for damage. Spock's uncle Silek appeared on the scene and assisted in ushering the other children on to the bathrooms, while the second teacher took hold of the infuriated girl.
"Nyota Uhura! Shame on you!" The teacher admonished, attempting to both whisper and convey her deep displeasure. "You've no business behaving in this manner. Mrs. Wilson and I are fully capable of dealing with Zachary. What on earth has gotten into you! You know better than to strike another child."
"I've had it!" Nyota exclaimed. "He's been saying awful things about the Vulcan's all day, Mrs. Roberts. It's not right!" Incensed, hot, angry tears of injustice streamed down her face. "I've gotten used to him picking at me this week, but I won't stand for Zachary doing it to him." Her wet eyes darted to Spock's motionless form as he sat transfixed. "I think..." she started, then dropped her eyes to the floor, before finishing quietly "well I...I think his ears are beautiful."
Spock felt said ears darken several shades as he blushed with embarrassment at her declaration. He discovered, though he knew it was highly improper to look on, that he could not pull his eyes away from her small trembling frame. He didn't know what to think of her extreme display of emotion for him; a complete stranger to her. He was slightly unsettled, but much more fascinated.
She thought he was beautiful.
He watched with rapt attention as Nyota's teacher, Mrs Roberts, visage softened at the little girls words of indignation on Spock's behalf. "Sweetheart, you worked so hard to earn the right to journey all the way from Africa for this cultural exchange." She sighed. "You would be more disappointed than your parents if you were sent home early."
Nyota's head shot up at her teacher's words. Her devastation at the thought of being expelled from the program clear on her face. Her lower lip trembled and she started to apologize, only to be interrupted by the young bully who had started the ruckus in the first place.
"It would serve you right! You stupid, scrawny little snot!"
Nyota's eyes went wide.
"Stupid?" She whispered the word, but Spock heard it loud and clear and it was laced with fury. She trained her eyes on Zachary, her teachers words forgotten as Mrs. Wilson groaned in embarrassment, blushed bright red and began to drag him away while quietly outlining his forthcoming punishment in his ear. Mrs Roberts was trying to thwart Nyota's imminent explosion, telling her that it was okay now, Zach would be punished for his rudeness, that she needed to calm down.
Spock understood the sting of an unchecked tongue. He was acquainted with the consequences of being provoked beyond your limits and losing control over your emotions all to well. He stood to his feet in one fluid motion, the movement successfully drawing Nyota's attention to him and away from the offensive little boy.
"Mr. Zachary Martin's words are highly illogical." Spock stated, with far more authority than his years should permit, even for a child of Vulcan. "You would not be in the program that brought you here if you had not shown yourself to be of exceptional intelligence."
Nyota looked at him, stunned to silence. Just as Spock had hoped.
Mrs. Roberts stepped forward offering apologies for Zachary's rude behavior and Nyota's emotional outburst in response to it. She had become so mortified she was beside herself. Spock heard every word she said to him, but never turned his gaze from Nyota's moist and wonder filled eyes, even as she was towed away sniffling and wiping away her angry tears. Just before she was lead around the corner and out of his sights she gave him a wide, warm smile.
When Spock and his mother arrived at his grandparent's home, he greeted them both politely, then asked them to tell him about the continent of Africa.