From the Darkness Comes My Light
Disclaimer:
They aren't mine. I'm just playing. They are owned by their respective parties. None of which are associated with me.
I've gotten my ideas for this from a lot of places. My husband went to a military school/service academy, and is in the military. So that helps with some of this. A good friend's son is in a school that has a Model UN. I thought that was a different idea that hadn't been used yet. I also got some of my ideas from the movies web site. They have the characters dossiers there. That was interesting. There were lots of tid-bits on the characters that weren't covered in the movie. And then there's the movie's tie in book. Zachary Quinto reads it. I loved his voice. He's also good at sounding like some of the characters too. He does Bones wonderfully! If you haven't heard it go to get it! Also Wikipedia, I love that site! The epilogue of the audio-book is the reason I decided to set this after the movie.
As a side note; I don't like stories that make Kirk out to be a moron. He's not, does no one remember the line "Genius level repeat offender" from the movie? Or that his test scores were off the charts? Also in service academies, if the person is military, even retired, they are addressed by their rank. If they are a civilian working there, the would be addressed by the appropriate title - Doctor, Professor, Sir, Ma'am, Mr., or Ms. Spock would be Commander, as this is rank. One of the popular phrases that would probably apply to why he's teaching is "Other duties as assigned." Meaning that since he's not on his ship, and they are still paying him they 'found' him a job. Like my husband is a helicopter pilot. That's his military job, but if he's not flying they have other things for him to do, like being the "mail guy" for his unit, or armament officer, or sky boss. I just wanted to share these things with anyone who might be interested on the insight. If you have any other questions let me know, I'd be happy to help!
One more - I don't have a beta, an am dyslexic. Which in my case means I worry more about letters and spelling. Unfortunately, this leaves punctuation and grammar to fall by the wayside and I've never learned them well. Spell check is my best friend but, I beg your forgiveness in advance. I will try my hardest, and am willing to correct what you kindly point out.
But hey, if you're in need of a challenge as a beta I'd love your help!
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It is astonishing how quickly people can go from imitate catastrophe back to the boredom of daily routine. Back on the ground, back at Star Fleet there was still much to do....
A handful of cadets made their way into the small theatre that had been scheduled for this meeting. Each new arrival took turns asking the same question, "Does anybody know why we're here? Do you think the meeting will last long enough for us not to have to go back to our last class?" Not that they minded being pulled from their various classes. It was just unusual. Although 'unusual' was all be becoming the standard operating procedure on campus as of late.
Never before had a graduating class been given so much leeway in the history or Star Fleet. But then again no class had ever accomplished so much. This class of unofficial officers with no real experience had managed in the matter of a couple of days to save as many as possible of one of the founding races of the Federation, save the home planet of the Federation, stop the mad, murderous Romulan responsible for the aforementioned acts, and all with imaginable odds stacked against them. But they had done all these things, defiantly so, admirable so, and it had earned them the right to be called heroes before they'd even technically graduated.
The din of conversation grew until the newly promoted Admiral Christopher Pike ambled in causing it all to come to attention quickly. The call of "Admiral on Deck!" wasn't needed but it was given anyway. "At ease people," he called as he made his way to the front of the room. He was out of his auto chair, but only just, and it was only by sheer determination alone. Not many knew the punishment his body had endured at the hands of his captures. Those that knew held a new respect for him, they also knew that he still had a few more surgeries yet to come.
He was flanked by instructors from the all the major departments in the Academy. The gathered students took their seats while excited whispers could be heard again throughout the room. All of which again came to an abrupt halt with a look from Admiral Pike. He reached the podium and began. "As you know we've been asked to put together a team for this year's Model United Federation of Planets. I don't have to tell you it's an honor to be chosen, even more so since this year's conference is going to be held in New York, on Star Fleet's West Point Military Academy campus. It will be held during your upcoming fall break."
Excited grumbles, and displeased groans of conversation broke out again across the gathered group. Yes, it was an honor to be chosen, but it also meant you'd be giving up your much anticipated break. A break which included Thanksgiving and the December holidays. However the upside to going would be that you were a stone's throw from downtown New York City for the turning of the new year. As a result certain students were already conspiring how to make it to Times Square for the event before they'd found out whether or not they'd actually been selected.
Admiral Pike wasn't phased by the interrupting conversations. Raising his voice slightly to bring them back on task, "We are here to announce those of you who have been chosen to go as our delegates. It was decided by factoring in grades, proficiency, character..." At this he shot a student a pointed look. Which James Kirk was good enough to look abashed at. Hero or not James Kirk's love for the females of any species had not been dampened, with the addition to that little four letter word he had been given more opportunities than ever to show his appreciation of almost all things female. "... so if your name is not called return to your classes. We want to thank all of you that submitted your dossiers for our consideration. Commander Spock, if you please." With that said commander stepped forward and began reading the list.
There were no real surprises at whose names were called, even as students they had just saved the world. As soon as Spock finished Pike spoke up again. "Thank you for your time. We encourage those you not in the graduating class to reapply next year. Now if your name has not been called you are dismissed. The rest of you please join me down front."
Those who hadn't been chosen began making their way out. The instructors saying congratulations to their departments chosen students as they too exited the theatre. Admiral Pike sat down on the edge of the small stage calling them in closer. As a captain he had well been versed on how to command a room. He also knew how best to bring cohesion to a group quickly. Most work better if they care about a situation. Gathering them up close made for a more intimate feeling and by extension more important. It also offered him a chance to get off his feet for a few minutes. He knew that if he didn't want to end up in damn auto chair for the rest of his life he need to be active to aid in his recovery, but not push his body father than it could go.
Instructors knelt behind him to be part of the conversation. Commander Spock, of course did not. Admiral Pike just smiled at him over his shoulder as he waited for everyone else to settle. He'd been the one to recruit Spock to the Star Fleet. It was considered a great success on the his part. Stealing a Vulcan away from their own science academy had earn Pike more than a few kudos. To accomplish such coup a certainly helped when it came to him getting his captain's commission in only four years, a feat that had never before accomplished in Star Fleet history. Nor did it hurt him as far as landing the Executive Officer job for the Recruiting Department until his ship was finished.
That wasn't how Pike saw it though. Sure he was a great assets to Star Fleet, beyond comparison in his own way. Christopher Pike was known for his uncanny sense about people, it was what had made him good at his jobs. He knew that Spock despite all his achievements was as unsure of who he was, much like James Kirk. He'd never seen two men that despite all outward appearances were so completely uncomfortable in their own skin. Pike as their mentor had known exactly how to go about getting the best out of them. With Kirk, he needed to be important, feed his ego or challenge him. He thrived in situations where he could rise above. Spock, on the other hand needed to be respect as an individual, to be valued. Doubtful he'd ever gotten it on Vulcan. Pike knew enough about that culture to know they weren't welcoming of things that didn't fit into their neat little boxes. 'Back to the task at hand, Chris.' he admonished himself.
"OK people pay attention because I'm only going to say this once." He looked them each in the eye as he took a deep breath. "Each year a different planet from the Federation plays host to this conference. It is just as it sounds. A student version of the real thing. You'll be debating, and hopefully coming up with, solutions to some of the real problems brought to the floor at the Federation. As Star Fleet's delegates you are expected to conduct yourselves in a certain manner. 'Conduct becoming an officer'. You've all heard that phrase before right? That means behave." This earned a chuckle from the group gathered around him.
"I shouldn't have to tell you to brush up on your customs, cultures and current events. Languages wouldn't hurt either, if you can manage it. At this point in your curriculum you've all studied the basics as far negotiations and diplomatic skills go. Here's the time you put them to the test. You'll each be receiving the details of the trip and your itineraries momentarily." Captain Pike nodded over his shoulder at Spock, whose fingers began working on his PADD. A round of notification alerts where heard throughout the room.
Admiral Pike continued, "There will be a reception at the beginning and a dinner at the conclusion of the conference. You will also be having breakfast with a few of the Ambassadors to Earth on one of days of your trip. I'm not going to tell again what an honor this is for each of you. Take of advantage of it. Right, well that is everything so... Dismissed."
Cadets hurried checked their computer PADDs for the information they'd just been sent. They're break was scheduled to start in a two weeks. That meant that dress uniforms had to be gotten together. Shoes needed to be shined. Being in Star Fleet meant you should be ready to go at the drop of a hat, but this was such an important occurrence, one that depending on what was happening with the universe, at the time the Academy didn't always get to participate in. So a little extra preparation was in order.
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"I so have to tell Daddy to let know him his little girl is coming for a visit!" blurted a lovely green skinned cadet as soon as she and her roommate were outside the theatre. "That should be worth at least one good shopping trip on his credits!" Gaila grabbed Uhura's arm excitedly bouncing up and down. Uhura had never been so happy for Gaila to have been on some 'forsaken star base on the edge of known space' in all her life. She had been lucky in that she hadn't really lost anyone she personally close too. "You have to go with me! It'll be so much fun, we'll make it a 'Girls Day Out' and then hit the bars before we head home!"
Uhura extricated her arm from her very excited roommate before Gaila made her drop everything. "Don't you think we should make sure we actually need to go on a shopping trip first? I mean if we're required to wear our uniforms to the receptions then there's no reason to go on a mad shopping spree. And before you start, yes, I know there's always a reason to go shopping." Uhura said in reply to the eye roll that her shopping comments always got her.
'This was going to be the cause of many a headache to come.' thought Uhura. Orion women were well known throughout the universe for many things. Sensuality being the foremost on many males minds, but being female Uhura knew that the more excited Gaila got the more pheromones she threw off. Those chemicals ensured she was never in want for male company, but it also gave females who were exposed to them for prolong periods headaches. Unless you were Vulcan, they weren't affected at all. 'I'm going to go to sick call for this one, I can feel it coming.'
"You know good and well we're going to have to wear those stuffy, stiff, itchy, seriously less than flattering, dress uniforms daily while we're there, and as we're cadets we don't have anything other than our Class A's* yet. They can't expect us to wear the same thing for a formal function! We can't even order our officer dress uniform until we're officially graduated! Come on you should know all this. You work in the Advanced Phonology office. Isn't your department always being invited galas and fund raisers, to make us off-worlders feel more comfortable?"
"Working in the office, where I answer phones, grade papers, run labs, take my classes, on the rare occasion cover a class, and take care of Professor Broom and 'his darling Marissa' has nothing to do with formal functions. Also how would I know about what to wear to a diplomatic event. I don't happen to be an ambassador's daughter, Gaila." Uhura teased right back. She bumped Gaila's hip with her own, causing her roommate to trip over her own feet. Both girls broke out in a fit of giggles as soon as Gaila was steady again.
"Well since we're supposed to return to our schedules, why don't you just run along to that office were you supposed do oh so much work and ask that 'friend' of yours." The sarcasm in that statement couldn't be missed. It was so thick it pooled over and puddled around Uhura's favorite boots. "You know I'll just bet if you blow on those sexy pointed ears he'll tell you anything you want to know in any language you want." Gaila said with a leered. She'd heard all about the transporter room kiss for Jim Kirk, and hadn't let up with her 'I told you so.'s'. "Oh, and just in case you forgot, he also happens to be the son of an ambassador so why don't ask him what you should or shouldn't wear as the case may be." Wagging her eyebrows in the direction of Spock's just noticed approach.
"Shh! Jeeze Gaila! Can't you keep anything secret! At the very least lower your voice! One kiss does not mean that anything is going on!" Uhura said in her best scolding tone. She loved Gaila but that girl couldn't keep a secret! "Look Gaila it was one kiss, and he's not even really given me the time of day since. Not to mention he is once again an instructor and I am once again a cadet. Not that you every let it stop you, but that happens to be an big Star Fleet Academy no-no, and we both know how Vulcan's are about following regulations."
This did nothing to actually deter her roommate. What Orion didn't love to be as naughty as allowed, and then some. "Uh huh, right, sure! Honey, I've seen the way he looks at you. It's just... hot. Like fiery, passionate, six days worth of steamy-yummy-goodness! Now those are words I'd never thought I'd be saying about a Vulcan." Gaila said in her best attempt at a low voice, which really came as more of a sultry purr. "It's in his eyes, you know. Don't even try to play innocent with me! I've seen you two together. You guys have this whole 'forbidden lovers' thing going on. I wish I could get a guy to look at me like that!"
"Well if you didn't tell them you loved them by like the third date that'd be a start." Uhura decided to change the subject. Whatever may or may not being going on with them was not open for discussion. Especially on the quad where ears were everywhere. She enjoyed what little bits he allowed and didn't want it to end by her beloved roommates pushiness. "Hey, I may be late tonight. We have an end of semester prep lab, and I'm going to need to get everyone caught up on their grading before I can even think about leaving for West Point. I'll also have to train some underclassmen to handle the phones too! Ugh! Answering call for Professor Broom alone will take the better part of a week. That poor man's wife calls him at least 5 times a day! No wonder no one can get him on his communicator!" Uhura said as they parted ways.
Gaila giggled, and nodded as she and her beloved roommate parted ways. "Good day Commander," Gaila said, barely concealing the conspiratorial undertones out of her voice. 'Those two are on a collision course that will be hotter than all the stars in this solar system and mine.' Gaila thought herself. To occupy herself on her walk to class she started flirting with a poor flummoxed underclassmen who happened to walking her same direction.
"Good afternoon Commander." Uhura said turning. She was slightly startled that he'd got so very close with out her noticing. He was definitely in her personal space. She ached so badly to reach out an touch him. He would never allow it, especially not in public. "You know, Commander, it's not polite to sneak up on someone." she said with a sly tone. Being a communication specialist Uhura knew that inflection, and intonation meant just as much if not more than the actual words spoken.
"You failed to maintain awareness of your surrounding Cadet, therefore allowing my proximity to go unnoticed. This does not imply impoliteness on my part." Spock said to her with just the slightest purr to tinge his voice.
'There must not be anyone within his earshot' Uhura thought. His hearing was much better than hers. He would never behave so informally with her if anyone was around to notice. Gaila was right, it was really like they had this secret relationship going. Although the encounters since their return to Star Fleet Academy were too few and too far between for Uhura's liking. She'd decided long ago he was worth the sleepless nights. "Is there anything you need Commander Spock?" She said meeting his gaze with her own.
Their... whatever it was, had started slowly, in what seemed like eons ago. It had grown steadily as they spent more time in each others company. They worked in the same department, both were vegetarians, both loved music. She loved learning about new cultures, saying that it helped to understand the language. He, being an ambassador's son, from a different planet, and having a doting mother who had insisted he travel with them as extensively as his schooling had allowed was more than willing to share his experiences. However, after a while one conversation on Orion culture that sparked off a political debate within the office he taught her to speak in the manner he was accustom to at home. A mix of various languages all at one time. Vulcan, Federation Standard, with a few words or phrases from varying other languages depending on what would best fit the conversation.
He found it comforting in a way and she found it fascinating. Like their own secret language, they were able to carry on any conversation they wished in plain view of everyone. It was extremely unlikely that anyone would be able to follow them as they switched and jumped through languages as quickly as they did. He thought it was beautiful that her mind could keep up with his in this aspect. She enjoyed the challenges the conversations presented her, not to mention their time spent together. Soon enough they were finding things to do together, museums of art, history, or science, performances of various kinds. Anything and everything the campus or the surrounding city of San Francisco had to offer were open to them so long as they followed their established rules. Their outing always occurred during the day and always in public settings so no questions of impropriety could raised. They also agreed not to touch, for reasons of warding off implications of impropriety, as much as for his cultural comfort. It was during these times that their mutual appreciations had brought them a whole new respect for each other. He shared many things with her about his culture, his past. He had never allowed someone so close to him before. He had opened up to her in ways he never had any other in his entire life. And she had never betrayed that trust. She seemed to be able to 'read' him, as only one other could. He regretted on more than one occasion that she was not the one he had been bound to. She was so beautiful to him, so vibrant, so many many things that when she'd questioned him as to what he thought of her, he'd answered with the only word that would ever fit... Fascinating. She hadn't understood he suggested she look that particular word up. He's assured her that once she did she would more than understand his answer. When she had her heart had absolutely soared.
Then the events on board the Enterprise had happened. Especially in the transporter room. He had leaned down to her and whispered in her ear, "You are no longer a cadet." Then he'd kissed her. That kiss had been so amazing she'd all but forgotten her name, where they were, what was happening, everything except his kiss. He had also leaned down placing their foreheads together sharing 'Breath of Life'. A part of Vulcan mysticism, stating the breath that flows constantly between the couples as they glance at each other will allow thoughts of each other crossover the minds. An extremely intimate way for a couple to hold each other, and if they were bonded to connect without a meld. As the placement of hands in the proper arrangement would be difficult during close physical relations. He was attempting to let her know in ways he would never be able to vocalize how very necessary to him she was. And she had felt it. She'd wanted to drown in those feelings. She'd never been so complete in her life. To know that someone you thought might be the other half of your incomplete soul felt the same way, was.... In all her vocabulary, in all the languages she knew she had no words to describe this. It made her fall more in love with him than she'd ever thought it was possible to be with another being.
But now that they were back on the ground, back at Star Fleet it was as if none of that had ever happened. He all but kept her at a distance. Only ever so often allowing his eyes to linger on her a little longer than was necessary. If they were passed each other in the hallways he'd allow his finger to graze her palm sending a radiating warmth spreading all over her body. Mostly he was just confusing her to the point where it started to hurt. She couldn't figure it all out and now here he stood in front of her as if he weren't the most confusing being in the entire universe.
"I thought we might walk together as you and I are both scheduled to be in the Advanced Phonology lab at this time." He gestured to her he intended for her to take the lead in walking to their shared destination. Which was not the custom on his planet, but as he was currently on hers he would follow her customs. As his mind traveled through the differing customs, not for the first time did he think of what her reactions would have been to his home world. Would she have been able to handle the differences in climate, heat, altitude. He knew in an instant the calculations he could do that would give him the answers to the questions he sought. He could almost picture it in his head, showing her the mountains, the oceans, the lack of a moon. All these things crossed his mind, he knew they were thoughts that would never come to pass and were better spent at another time. That was still not a place he lingered too long in. What is necessary is always logical, and avoidance was still necessary to his sanity.
They fell into easy conversation about the lab, discussing the number of cadets, if any, who would be making up time. What, if anything, was to be the focus of the lab or what it to be an 'open' lab time. Would she be running this one while he, and the other instructor worked on other things. Was this a time she would be allowed to study too. Should she allow other cadets to interrupt her as needed, or leave them to the instructors. Which professor had been covering for them while they were in the meeting. Would that professor remain once they returned, or leave to attend to other things in the department.
"I believe I heard you tell Cadet Gaila that, among other things, you needed to find someone to substitute for you while you attend the Model United Federation of Planets Conference, did you not?" This phrase sent her eyes to the ground and blush to her cheeks. He was telling her he'd heard her entire conversation with her roommate. "Perhaps you could ask Professor Broom for suggestions since he is the cause of your greatest concern." The tone in his voice sounded as the emotion equivalent of a smirk although his face did not betray one.
It also brought a smirk to her face. One of which she knew he'd caught out of the corner of his eye. They were both very observant of each other. She liked to think of them as magnets. Push the same charged sides at each other and you could have them dance around each other for hours. Flip them and they were drawn together as if they were coming home. Right now they were back in the dance of opposites. It was fun, exhilarating, but every now and then, she'd get a glimpse from him of what it would be like if one of them could just stay flipped, as they had been on the Enterprise. It was all in his eyes. Although Uhura would never tell Gaila she was right. She had no desire to continue to hear 'I told you so' from Gaila until the end of time.
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The lab it's self was fairly busy, as labs go. Yes, there were the usual questions, being that she was so very good at all things lingual, her fellow classmates came to her for help whenever the other two instructors were busy. She didn't mind usually, it really cut into her own study time, but she was always happy to help. For the next two weeks though she was going to need every second she could find. She still wore a smile for any that came to her with a question. She knew they'd rather ask her than Spock. He was an excellent instructor, but she'd help them see the emotion behind the words they questioned her on. Emotions were something that could help things stick for humans, but not something a Vulcan would use as a teaching tool.
He never understood why she tried so hard with them to the point that it might have been detrimental to her own studies. He did like watching the satisfaction she got from their 'ah ha moments' as she'd called them once. He watched her, as he did whenever he got the chance. He loved the movement of her. She was like a living work of art to him. The movement of her mouth as she spoke, as she smiled, the way she bit her lip when she was working something over in her mind.
"Thank you for your time, however this evenings lab has drawn to its conclusion." Professor Broom stated. "If you have any further questions or need further instruction, please see your instructor during their office hours." Both men started gathering their things. As they were waiting for the cadets to file out the room Professor Broom commented as they watched Uhura help one last student with a question. "She's a hell of a woman. Beauty, brains, and a heart bigger than both. Don't know what this department's going to do without her next year, you too for that matter."
Heart. This is Vulcan's Heart.... Spock's mind began wandering down a tangent as he watched her. This one was on how Vulcan women were treated in their patriarchal society. They were as formidable as any Vulcan male where intellect was concerned, but it was not in the matters of intellect that made them so very important to their society. It was in matters of the mind. Thinking of women, or a particular human woman would fare in Vulcan society was not where he wanted his mind to go. It needed to stay right here on Earth, it needed to focus, and stop going off on tangents!
One of the many facts Vulcan's endeavored to keep quiet is that Vulcans are touch telepaths. Skin to skin touch would instantly send thoughts and impression to their mind, if they are not prepared for the contact. For that reason they refrained from touching or being touched. Vulcans are also careful about their friendships for similar reasons. Once becoming attuned to someone they became empathic to them. As he had to her. He'd never told her any of this of course. Empathic connections were also not commonly spoken of with those outside his people. He'd never meant for this to happen when it did. He had become attuned to her all the same, and now he couldn't find that he minded. It felt 'right', illogical but 'right' just the same.
Right now, his empathic abilities were telling him she was ill at ease. When they were finally alone he waited for her to approach where he and Professor Boom had conducted the lab. Professor Broom had engaged him in conversation. Spock was only paying half attention to the subject being discussed, but that was more than enough. The majority of is thoughts were focused somewhere else. She was taking her time gathering her things, getting her mind in order, calming her self. He gave her this time, and hoped Professor Broom would as well. Spock respected her in that she knew her own body enough to know that she needed this time.
When she finally did approach them it was with a tight smile, and a hand rubbing her forehead. "First the meeting, then Gaila gets excited, then we have a busy lab. I hope I don't need to go to sick call**." Her voice showing evidence to back up the what Spock's empathic abilities were giving him. She had a large enough headache that he developed a new respect for her pain tolerances.
"Have you not been seeing a doctor regularly as was suggested, my dear?" Professor Broom had asked her. The elder professor had become rather attached to her, as had his wife. "That would be wise considering your living arrangements," Spock added in agreement. His voice not betraying the concern he held. He as well as most Vulcans did not like the idea of using medication for anything and everything that came along as humans seemed to do. This however was a valid reason, and he did not care to see her in pain.
"I have, in fact I just went a couple of days ago, but she's got really excited about going on a shopping trip for the conference and then the conference itself. It caused her pheromones to spike." She titled her head as best she could to smile at them without getting too much light in her eyes. Light always made her headaches worse, so she quickly lowered her head again. "But I'm sure you heard all that didn't you, eavesdropper." She whispered knowing only Spock would hear her last comment just as if were spoken in a normal conversational tone. She tried to make her voice light and to keep the pain out of it. Unsuccessfully, but she did try.
When she saw the expressions of the two men in front of her she knew she'd failed to do so. "Tea, and sleep may help your headache. As for your roommate, I still have yet to see the logic in putting you in the room with her." Spock had said keeping his voice low so as not to make her headache worse.
Professor Broom offered another solution, "If you would like, my dear, I can give a acupressure, as you so graciously did for me yesterday. It might help a little. After all Marissa would be very unhappy with me if I let our favorite cadet suffer." This earned a chuckle from the two humans in the room. Professor Broom may run one of the foremost Xeolinguistics Departments on the entire planet, but his wife ran him. Uhura had once heard her say "Darling, don't confuse your rank with my authority". Spock hated that Professor Broom had offered, but if it helped he hoped she'd accept. It did something untoward to his Vulcan sensibilities to her in pain, but not be the one to fix it.
"I'd love to take you up on that offer, but I don't want to impose. Thank you all the same." She hoisted her bag up her shoulder a little higher on her shoulder as she began to leave. The strap of her bag, however, caught on her ponytail pulling her hair rather sharply. The pain that shot through her head caused her to let the bag fall to the ground, and her hand to go immediately back to her forehead. "Ugh! That so did not help!" She tried to add a chuckle to that, but it didn't quite come out right.
"Cadet Uhura would it not be a wise course of action to accept help when it is offered." He tried to sound scolding. He only just managed to hold himself in place rather than go to her when she cried out. He took a few slow breaths calming himself from the waves of emotions that were reaching him. It wasn't fair to use the rank card on her, he knew it too. Officially they were off duty since it was after school hours. But he had just about reached his limit with seeing her in pain. At this point he wanted to see her made better no matter how it came about. Even if it meant another man touching her in a way he would like to be.
"Yes Commander" she said sheepishly. She'd refused out of a sense of propriety. Spock always seemed uncomfortable when in the presence of prolonged touching. At this point though, she'd give anything to stave off the headache that was building. She just wished that Spock not Professor Broom was the one who had made the offer.
Spock picked her bag up from where it fallen on the floor, and then placed his hand on the small of her back, over her uniform, and lead her to the lab administrators desk. Professor Broom made a show of cracking his knuckles and rubbing his hands together as if to warm them, when his communicator went off. "Marissa dear." he'd said without really needing to look at who was on the other end. "I know my love, but our Uhura has developed a rather nasty headache. Yes dear, I know you think she's wonderful, as does the entire department. Couldn't get by without her. Oh, I didn't know you were waiting Love. I will be right there. Yes dear, I love you too. See you soon. Of course I'll pass along your well wishes to her." He let out a fake exasperated sign as he slapped the device closed after 30 years together he and his wife were still very much in love. "I'm sorry, but I had forgotten I agreed to met Marissa for dinner after work. She's at the restaurant now waiting for me. Would you like to join us? Food may do you good? And I know Marissa would love to see you again."
"No, thank you though," Uhura said rolling her shoulders and twisting her neck hoping desperately that something would pop and the headache would go away. "It's fine Professor, I'll see you in the office tomorrow. Please tell Marissa I'm sorry I kept you, and that I hope you guys have a wonderful evening." She managed a smile for him as he headed towards the door. It didn't reach her eyes but it was there none the less.
He stopped at the door looking back. "You're going to make some man very lucky one day my dear. But you're far to good for most of us. Take care of our girl Commander. We both know that the office will be in chaos tomorrow if she's not there." Professor Broom said with a chuckle and a wave as he left them alone in the room.
Uhura stood up and faced Spock. "I'm actually glad Marissa called for once. Charlie is a sweet man, but ..." Professor Charles "Charlie" Broom was a grandfather to all those who worked for him. He was much beloved in and outside his department. But he was from a different generation, one where friendship beget touching. Not something Uhura was entirely comfortable with, close friends where fine, but casual acquaintances, not so much. Now the male in front of her was a different story.
Spock nodded his understanding to her statement. He was actually glad Marissa had called too. He wasn't looking forward to another man touching her in is his presence. He knew his feelings should be illogical for the sort of relationship they had, but she was... special to him. He realized how physically close they were now, he heard her heart rate rise. Close enough he could bridge the gap between them before she even drew in breath. He let his eyes roam over her face for a moment before he followed the orders given by the head of his department, even though Professor Broom was not military, he as still Spock's boss for the moment. It was reaching, he knew that, but he missed her closeness so exquisitely he'd use any excuse he could to grab whatever time with her he could. He began pulling out the pins and ties that held up her long hair.
"The hairstyle you choose to wear to meet regulations puts pressure on muscles in your neck that were not designed to hold such weight for an extended period of time. My mother always expressed that when she wore her hair up for extended periods of time it gave her headaches." He spoke in a hushed his voice. Loud sounds to sensitive ears could add to headaches, he knew this from personal experience. He'd never in his life gotten so many headaches as he had when he first came to live at the Academy.
"African women used to carry large loads on their heads for miles." was the breathy replay that came from her. He was so close. She allowed her eyes to drink him in. He as so very beautiful to her. She knew that even as she let her heart out from behind the wall she'd put to guard from his distance, this would hurt tomorrow. Tomorrow he'd shove her back to arms distance away. Tomorrow he'd be indifferent to her. Tomorrow she'd be just another cadet. But now, while they were alone and he was being so open and so very tender, while his emotions were so close to the surface, she couldn't find it in her to care. And with that she lost herself to the moment he was giving her. The joy she found in his quite attention was almost to much to bear. She lost herself in the fantasy that her heart was creating. She felt so cared for, and so important to him in this moment. His touch was so exquisite to her. She wanted to crawl inside this moment forever and remain until the sun winked out.
"Yes, that may have been true at one time, but has not been so for centuries. Those muscles that were developed for such use are no longer developed. Therefore you gain a headache for your choice in hairstyle." Her mind shut down to everything but the sensation so much so that she barely noticed his hands direct her forehead to his shoulder. His rational was that he had needed to apply more pressure to certain joints in her neck and at base of her skull. Her mind was quiet. She was thinking only of the sensations of the massage, and how it felt. He appreciated that immensely. He knew what he was doing was wrong on many levels. Spock had become very adept at rationalizing behaviors when it came to this particular cadet.
This respite of perfect contentment went on for a blissful few moments for both parties involved. They hardly ever had a valid reason to touch at all. Much less this intimately. It was fantastic. It did however have to come to a close. Curfew waits for no one. He enjoyed the glassy eyed look on her face as he'd called her attention to the time. He enjoyed knowing that he'd given her bright eyes that looks. He enjoyed watching her pull her hair back up into its not exactly regulation pony tail. He enjoyed the smell of her on his uniform long after she'd left him. He hadn't even let logical side tell him it was illogical to hang that particular uniform jacket up on the wall. 'Uniforms are not art', his logical side had pointed out to him. 'No they are not, but she is, and so she must be treasured.'
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* Class A's and the business suit equal in the Army. Officers aren't issued their tux equivalent they have to buy them.
**Sick Call is what a soldier reports to when they need to go to the doctor before they start their duty shift.