Title: What The Moon Does To You
Author: ToughSpirit
Rating: R (M)
Genre: Romance/General/Spiritual
Summary: Vulcan has no moon. So Spock never anticipated the affects a moon could have on a person, or him. How just staring at Earth's moon could be so thoroughly hypnotizing and have such stirring affects…
Note: I never really thought about writing a story about the beginnings of Spock and Uhura, because there are already so many stories like that. But I remembered in the TOS of Star Trek, Spock had mentioned to Uhura that Vulcan had no moon, and Uhura was not surprised. I believe she wasn't surprised because when you look at the moon in all its glory it has an affect on you, an affect that Spock clearly didn't receive on Vulcan.
Disclaimer: Don't own Star Trek or any of its characters.
What The Moon Does To You
Spock could remember the very first time he laid eyes on Earth's moon. It was his first night at Starfleet. Spock was wandering the campus grounds so he could be better acquainted, and nighttime seemed to be the opportune time to do so. He realized that the night was illuminated but did not realize its source. For a fraction of a second Spock forgot Earth had a moon until he rounded to the side of one the buildings.
And there it was…almost like star, but not quite. It was not illuminating from itself but rather illuminated on. Spock had never seen anything like it. It was perfectly round and symmetrical from the view, the craters seemed to tell its own stories. And he could not look away.
Spock let go of the breath he did not realize he was holding in. He sat down on the clean cut grass and just continued to stare. His breathing slowed down, body became still. It was as if gazing at this orb was a meditation within itself. He stayed there upon the grass until curfew. That night Spock actually grew attached to the inanimate globe.
Tonight the moon was a crescent, as Spock looked at it through the shuttle window. They were nearing their destination. He was actually looking forward to this trip to this land, which he read had quite similar climatic characteristics as his home world. Kenya, Africa.
A Starfleet council was meeting here for the months of July and August. Lectures and competitions would take place among other things. And as a result recruiting would be sure to come, and be a priority. After the summer when they return back to the academy Spock would officially begin his teachings as a professor, not to mention that he was also destined to become the science and first officer to the fleet's soon to be flagship, the U.S.S. Enterprise.
They arrived. Spock wanted to be one of the last off the shuttle, so he waited for the crowd to thin out. When he finally was at the shuttle's exit he paused and scanned. It was quite dark outside even with the crescent moon, but it was no hinder, for Spock's night vision was exceptional. He could see the many glowing lights of the capital.
Spock inhaled, deep. Such a similar smell to Vulcan, yet it had a touch of something else in the air that Spock could not quite fit. Captain Pike came from behind him, standing at his side.
"What do you think so far, Mr. Spock?" Pike asked.
"Familiar," Spock began. "This land has a similar scent to Vulcan. Which makes this place seem familiar even though I have never ventured here before."
Pike smiled at the answer, and placed a fatherly hand on Spock's shoulder. "Good. You like this place so far. I'm glad, because I know you haven't traveled out of America since you got to Earth. I want your experience to a new land to be enjoyable."
"It will certainly be educational." Spock replied.
Pike huffed a laugh. "Come on Mr. Spock, it has been a long trip and we need to rest up for tomorrow's events."
And with that they started their tread towards the hotel. Spock looked up at the crescent moon again, for some reason in this land its appearance seemed slightly larger than in San Francisco. Shrugging mentally, Spock set his mind on the events of tomorrow.
X X X
Nyota was filled with an overwhelming feeling of excitement and nervousness. The Starfleet council began today and would be here for the whole summer. Recruiting would take place during the time and Nyota had every intention of being recruited.
The shuttle arrived at the center were all the events for Starfleet would take place. Starfleet had had pervious council recruitings in Africa before, but most of the time they would head to North and South Africa, once they had even been to West Africa, but never East Africa.
Nyota thought for sure that this year she would have to go to America to apply for Starfleet, but when she found out that they were recruiting here for the summer, she could not believe her luck. That certainly saved her time, not to mention traveling expenses.
She made her way inside the center and it was chaotic organization. The energy was high and purposeful, and Nyota loved it. She could only imagine what the academy felt like. She picked up a brochure that had the listings of the activities the council would be doing for the months they would be there.
Xenolinguistics, Xenolinguistics, Xenolinguistics, ah a lecture on Romulan and Vulcan language differences takes place in a half-hour. Right up my alley. Nyota thought. Afterwards she would find out about being recruited, for now she would just explore a little before finding the lecture hall.
Nyota walked leisurely through the exhibits and stations, she was like a geek at a comic book convention, she could barely contain her joy. With every foot that she roamed was the more she knew Starfleet was for her.
As Nyota picked up another brochure about subspace travel a figure caught her eye. A lean straight figure with pointed ears walked briskly through the crowds toward the lecture halls.
Nyota was genuinely surprised. A Vulcan? There are Vulcans that are actually a part of Starfleet? Nyota thought.
Although Vulcan was part of the federation and an allay planet to Earth, Vulcans were a reclusive species. Not only that but the planet bred geniuses, and although Nyota's aspiration was to join Starfleet she didn't think a Vulcan would personally obtain much more there than they would in the Vulcan Science Academy.
He must be the one giving the lecture. Nyota now began her way to the lecture hall. Seating herself relatively close to the front of the huge lecture room. What appeared to be a Starfleet captain stepped up to the podium.
"Welcome, I'm Captain Christopher Pike." Captain Pike began. "One of the most important things about keeping universal peace is language. Language can forge great bonds or great wars. So for all of you with specific interest in Xenolinguistics, I advise that you view the field mostly as an art form, the same way a combat solider would view the art of war. With that I introduce to you Professor Spock." Pike gestured, and from the far end of the hall the Vulcan Nyota noticed minutes before appeared.
"Professor Spock is the academy's first and only Vulcan to ever join Starfleet. He completed his schooling in a record time of two and half years, during which time he managed to become our first student-teacher. This fall he will become a full time professor, our youngest ever. And as soon as the construction of the fleet's new flagship the U.S.S. Enterprise is complete he will turn in the title of 'Professor' for 'Commander' as my first officer." Pike had to take a pause at the slight awes of the audience, plus Spock's record was like a grocery list. "Once again here's, Professor Spock." Pike stepped to the side to let Spock come forth and gave his usual fatherly pat on the shoulder.
Impressive. Nyota thought as the crowd clapped. I knew there couldn't be much Vulcans in Starfleet, heck he's the only one. And I wouldn't expect any less from a Vulcan, with that record.
"Thank you, Captain Pike." Spock said smoothly. "I do believe our guests did not need to be more intimidated by Starfleet standards with your introduction." The audience including Captain Pike laughed, surprised that the Vulcan cracked a joked, however lighthearted it was.
He straightened his form and began his lecture. Although straightforward and unemotional, Spock's voice had perfect eloquence as he spoke, his voice also had a deep almost sultry tone to it. The audience including Nyota seemed to be captivated by the Vulcan's voice.
When he begins in the fall, students would probably be bored of the subject matter but never of that voice. Nyota thought. As she watched the Vulcan she became more captivated with him.
The Vulcan was at least Six-foot-two, very lean and slender although obviously well built. He had plush pursed lips, a cute rounded nose, and deep dark eyes. Not to mention shiny silken black hair,and the classic Vulcan pointed ears that curved slightly inward towards his face. Dare she think it, Nyota though the Vulcan was an exceptional beauty. Very rarely you can associate males, no matter the species, with the word "beautiful".
Spock concluded his lecture that lasted thirty-five minutes, just long enough to give ample information yet short enough to keep interest. The lecture hall clapped at his conclusion and slowly began to disperse, many people went up to both Captain Pike and Spock to ask their own questions.
Nyota waited patiently for the crowd to thin out around the two. She saw Pike regard Spock briefly then make his leave of the hall. Damn I wanted to introduce myself to the Captain as well, no matter. Nyota thought, if she got accepted to Starfleet she would meet him eventually.
Spock was slightly overwhelmed when the crowd first approached him eagerly to ask questions, although he did not show it. But he easily answered all their questions, and realized that he would have to get used to crowds of people asking him questions. As the crowd around him started to thin out he realized a young dark skinned woman was waiting patiently off at the side, seeming to wait until everyone else left so she could have his undivided attention.
Spock acknowledged the young woman. "Hello. I observed you have been waiting patiently to converse with me Miss…"
"Uhura." Nyota filled in his sentence, offering her name.
"Miss Uhura." Spock slightly bowed his head. "How can I assist you?"
"Well first I would like to say that you're lecture was insightful and very useful," Nyota began. "I myself have a special interest in Xenolinguistics."
Spock nodded slightly. "I assume you have aspirations to join Starfleet, with Xenolinguistics as your major."
"Indeed, Professor Spock." She nodded once.
"Have you any fluency in any alien languages?" Spock asked.
"Nine, Sir. Vulcan, Romulan, Orion, and Klingon being my strongest, even in their various dialects and written forms." Nyota answered.
Spock raised a curious brow. He studied the young East African woman more intently now. Statistics showed that individuals majoring in Xenolinguistics usually studied only four and was fairly fluent in only two, but here before him was a person who took on nine alien languages and thought four of them as her most fluent.
"Impressive." Spock said in Vulcan. "If you are as talented as you say, then Starfleet could surely utilize you."
"Thank you, Professor. I'm confident in my skills and I have no doubt that I'd be an asset to Starfleet." Nyota responded back in well-spoken Vulcan.
Spock yet again raised a curious eyebrow. "Fascinating," Spock stated, speaking English again. "Well Miss Uhura, you certainly seem serious about joining Starfleet. I suggest you attend as many of our functions this summer as possible. There are also competitive games in different study fields open to the public to participate in. You should be exceptional in the Xenolinguistics competitions. No doubt several commanding officers will see your talent and see you as an appropriate candidate for Starfleet."
This Vulcan really knew how to phrase things, truly she was impressed with him. "Again thank you, Professor. Will you be attending many of the Xenolinguistics functions?" Nyota asked hopeful.
"Most," Spock answered. "Particularly those that specify in Vulcan and Romulan. In fact tomorrow there are several activities in Vulcan and Romulan dialects that may be of interest to you."
"Sounds great, I'll definitely come." Nyota answered excitedly.
Spock gave a slight nod. "Very well. I will be sure to see you tomorrow, Miss Uhura."
Nyota gave a bright smile. "Looking forward to it. Good bye, Professor Spock, till tomorrow."
"Good day." Spock gave a polite bow. He watched as Nyota walked out the exit. He found himself eager for tomorrow to come.
X X X
"Whew," Pike sat down at the table tiredly. "Today was hectic but I think it was a very productive first day."
"Indeed," Spock agreed.
Pike and Spock were having dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Having dinner together was something the two did often, of course it was Pike who first initiated the ritual when Spock was relatively new at the academy and became Pike's intern. He took a liking to the young Vulcan from the start, even though most people found Spock unapproachable at first. But Pike didn't make such fast judgments.
"So anything of particular interest happen today at the functions?" Pike asked Spock.
Spock took a moment before answering, which made Pike look at him intently because Spock rarely hesitated. "Actually, I had a rather interesting conversation with a young women after my lecture on Vulcan and Romulan language differences." Spock answered aloofly.
"Really?" This spiked Pike's interest. "What did you guys discuss?"
"She has specific interest in joining Starfleet majoring in Xenolinguistics. I came to discover that she has familiarity with nine alien languages and fluency in four of them." Spock's eyes shined.
Pike noticed and deciphered that Spock's eyes must be shinning of enthusiasm. Pike smiled. "Impressive. Statistics show that most majoring in Xenolinguistics are not familiar with that many languages."
"Indeed. That is the same thought that entered my mind when she informed me," Spock said. "I even tested her in speaking Vulcan and her pronunciation was almost flawless, it simply sounded like it needed to be refined." Spock finished.
"Well Spock, I would definitely say you need to keep an eye on that future cadet." Pike said, with a smile.
Spock nodded slightly in agreement, looking out the window at the moon. He would certainly keep an eye on Miss Uhura.
Chapter 2 coming soon...
AN: Hey all, hope you like the beginnings of this fic. PLESASE REVIEW and let me know what you think so far, so that I know if I should continue this tale. Thanks to all.