If Spock showed his emotions, he would have sighed. Sitting across from him was Captain Christopher Pike, who insisted there was no need for the use of title as they were friends. He had stopped by his office on what he called important business.

"Come on, Spock," he said with a slight smirk. "As an officer of Star Fleet, it is part of your duty."

"While I understand that, I have not be required to attend such an event before." Spock leaned forward in his chair, lacing his fingers together and placing them in front of him on his desk.

"Well, that may be so, but I'm saying you are required to now. If I have to go, then you do too. Plus, the fundraiser gala won't be so bad. I would suggest you bring a date though," Chris said with a smile.

"I do not have any relationships that would be agreeable to such a proposition."

Chris sighed. "Spock, you either bring a date or you will have every single female there fighting to dance with you."

"I don't dance, Captain."

"I know, so you need a date just for appearances and to keep girls from flirting with you. Can you think of anyone you may ask?"

Spock paused. He wasn't unliked by his female coworkers; however, he did not wish to confuse them by asking them to attend the gala with him. The only person he would even consider asking was his teaching assistant, Cadet Uhura. The idea gave him a small sense of excitement; however, asking Cadet Uhura was too large of a risk. She could say no, which would make working with her uncomfortable.

Chris smiled at Spock's silence. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone suitable. Let me know if you want me to set you up with someone." Chris stood and reached out his hand. Spock stood at the same time and glanced at his outreached hand.

"Ah yes, forgive me, Spock. I sometimes forget," Chris said withdrawing his hand. He turned to the door, paused, and turned back. "Say what about your TA?"

"Cadet Uhura?"

"Yeah, maybe she'd like to attend the gala with you."

"Captain, I doubt that would be-"

Just then the door to his office swished open, and Cadet Uhura walked in, her eyes focused on the pile of PADDs in her arms.

"Hi, Commander. I have the PADDS from the Communications 103 extra help session. Cadet Williams hasn't finished the assignment yet, but the rest are here. I can get-"She glanced up and stopped mid step. "Oh, hello Captain Pike."

"Cadet Uhura, a pleasure to see you as always. Let me help you," Chris said taking half of the pile out of her arms and placing it on Spock's desk.

"Thank you, Captain." Uhura said, shifting the remaining PADDs in her arms. "If you would prefer, I can come back later when you are finished with your appointment, Commander."

"No, that's not necessary, Cadet. Captain Pike was just leaving."

"Yes, that's right." Christ turned back to the door and walked towards it. He turned back and glanced at them, "Have a good evening," he said with a wink before disappearing into the hallway.

Spock sat back down, glancing at Uhura, who placed the PADDs in her arms on her desk and sat down. She reached up to the top of the pile and pulled down the first PADD, switching it on.

"Spock? Is everything alright?" Uhura said.

Spock cleared his throat. "Yes, thank you for inquiring, Cadet. If you grade those PADDs, I will work on grading these," Spock said, gesturing to the pile Christ placed on his desk.

Uhura smiled and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes, Commander."

As they were working, Spock found himself staring at Uhura several times, noticing when she shifted in her chair or sighed at a student's inadequate response.

A few hours later, Uhura was finishing the last PADD of her pile. Spock, how had finished a short time ago, was typing on his PADD and casting glances at her.

"Ughhh," Uhura groaned while rubbing her eyes. "Cadet Ritzel still doesn't understand how the conjugation of verbs changes the way the sentence-"

"Cadet Uhura."

Uhura stopped mid-sentence. "Yes, Commander?"

"I am being required to attend a Star Fleet fundraising event tomorrow. This means we will have to reschedule your lesson on the different dialects of Vulcan. I thought perhaps, if you are free, we could schedule it for Saturday afternoon at 1300 hours."

"Oh, sure. That's fine, Commander," she said looking down at her hands. "1300 hours on Saturday is fine with me. I really appreciate you helping me."

"No one has ever inquired about lessons on this subject. I think it is admirable you are trying to develop a full background in linguistics."

Uhura smiled as a slight pinkness filled her cheeks. Spock had noticed that she often "blushed" in his presence before, and he found that he enjoyed when he caused her to. "Thank you, Commander." She resumed grading and was finished in five minutes. "All done, Commander," she said as she turned off the last PADD. She looked out the window at the dark night sky. "When did it get so dark?"

"Sunset was at 2053, Cadet."

Uhura laughed, "It's just a saying. I mean I didn't notice it was so late."

"I apologize for keeping you later than usual, Cadet Uhura. I hope I did not interrupt your plans for the night." Spock said, as Uhura stood and pulled on her jacket.

"Not at all, Commander. The only thing you kept me from was studying that can wait until tomorrow." Uhura pulled her hair out of her jacket in an elegant motion and fastened the buttons. "Is there anything you need me to finish before tomorrow afternoon?"

"I won't be in my office tomorrow. I have to attend the fundraising gala."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry, Commander. Are you looking forward to it? I hear they are rather fancy. You'll have to tell me about it."

"Uhura, would you be opposed to attending the gala with me?" Uhura's eyes widened and her cheeks grew pink once again.

"What?"

Spock stood and smoothed his grey instructors jacket. "Captain Pike is insistent that I should bring a date to the gala, and the first person I thought I would like to spend the evening with was you."

"I would love to, Commander." Uhura brightly smiled. Spock nodded in response.

"Very well, I will look forward to the evening then." Spock walked to the door and Uhura followed, pulling her purse over her shoulder. Once they had exited his office, he entered the code to lock the down and they began walking down the hall in silence.

They entered the lift and Spock pressed the button for the first floor. When the door opened, Spock waited for Uhura to exit before following. As they walked to the entrance of the building, Spock kept catching Uhura looking at him with a small smile. The door opened and they were greeted with a chilly breeze.

"Commander?"

"Yes?"

"I um well," Uhura stammered before gaining more courage. "When and where should I meet you tomorrow?"

Spock raised an eyebrow with a small quirk in his lips. "That is a reasonable question, Cadet. There is no need to be nervous. The gala is being held at the function hall inside the Star Fleet Museum. I will meet you on the steps in front of it at 2000 hours as you will need to enter with me to be allowed in."

Uhura smiled at the ground and nodded. "Alright, Commander. I'll see you then." Uhura turned and walked off toward her dormitory. Spock tried not to, but could not help watching her until she was out of his sight.