Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek, or any of it's character's besides any O/Cs I may choose to create. I am also not making any money from the creation of this work of fanfiction.

Enjoy!

Unattainable

Chapter One

There aren't many flaws that Nyota Uhura possesses. Indeed, if one were to ask about the Cadet around the Academy they would soon find out that she is one of its shining stars—a Cadet with a bright future ahead of her and with the demeanor, manners, and poise that many of her fellow classmates wished to emulate. With a little over eighty percent of the Federation languages spoken by her there is not much else the xenolinguistic needs to do for preparation of her career goal besides, of course, graduate. And with the current pace the young woman is setting for herself Cadet Uhura will be in line to graduate just before the mother voyage of the USS Enterprise, the ship that she's been dreaming to serve in since she first entered the Academy.

With these thoughts floating through her head Uhura sighs softly as she gazes at her reflected image. Yes there are not many flaws the young Cadet possesses and indeed to her fellow peers, her instructors, and all of Starfleet Nyota is the living embodiment of her name: star. Well, at least it's that way for almost all of Starfleet. Sighing once more Uhura places her brush down precisely next to its matching comb before expertly and efficiently binding her hair back in a neat ponytail that, unlike many of the other female Cadets, was not a hairstyle which was cause for much distraction.

Picking up the slim eyeliner pencil Nyota makes sure to check the black tip, even though she is sure it's already sufficiently sharpened as it's her routine to do so after each use. Nodding her satisfaction Nyota carefully applies a modest amount of eyeliner, her hand steady as she moves from one eye and then to the other. Nodding once more at the completion of the small ritual Nyota next picks up the pencil sharpener before returning the tip of her eyeliner to a fine point. Unhurried in her movements the young Cadet carefully places the eyeliner down on the small vanity table before brushing the pencil shavings into the waste basket.

The mascara follows next, with Nyota's movements just as careful and precise as always before the xenolinguistic finishes with soothing balm to her lips. With her reflection staring back Cadet Uhura sighs once more, her mind briefly turning towards her next class, one of which is not set to begin for at least another hour until the sound of Gaila speaking pulls Nyota out of her musings.

"Oh, Ny! You should loosen up a bit; you always get so stiff before Commander Spock's class. Why don't you put a little color on your lips, it might cheer you up. Red looks really hot on you, Ny. Not everyone can pull of the Cadet issue uniform as well as you and I." Gaila giggles softly before running a hand through her red curls.

Nyota rolls her eyes at Gaila before turning back to her reflection. "Everyone gets like this before classes, Gaila. And it's improper to wear lipstick. It's distracting."

Gaila is sprawled out on her bed, her moss colored feet dangling over its edge as she swings her legs idly. "That may be true Ny but you're the xenolinguistic department's top Cadet. Usually a title like that should make one more relaxed. I'm never stressed before going to my classes and just in case you haven't noticed you're like the only girl who doesn't wear lipstick, or eye shadow for that matter. You don't have to go all out but you could at least try for some lip gloss, Ny!"

"I am not stressed, Gaila, nor am I Orion."

Gaila makes a scoffing sound in the back of her throat before rolling over onto her belly, the Orion's full attention on Nyota now. "You don't need to be Orion to be sexy, you're a woman." Gaila giggles again before another statement of hers float to Nyota's ears. "You don't get ready like this for your other classes." The words are almost accusatory as Gaila's emerald green eyes meet soft brown of her roomate's.

"If you are insinuating that I do not properly prepare myself for all of my classes then you are surely mistaken."

Gaila lets out a small groan before once more rolling over on her bed, though this time turning her back to Uhura as she drags the Starfleet issued cover over her form. If it wasn't for Nyota's supreme aural sensitivity then she would not have heard the softly muttered, "Oh forget it Ny."

Staring at Gaila Nyota can feel her soft lips pressing into a thin line and a small amount of guilt flooding her chest. It wasn't as though Nyota was a stiff for she enjoyed having fun, joking, and partying just as much as any other Cadet but…with the thought of Commander's Spock class on her mind Nyota can't help but feel a bit…stiff.

Sighing yet again Nyota quickly takes up her PADD, double checking her appearance one last time, from the top of her head, to her modestly precise makeup, to the perfectly painted fingernails and then to her stiffly pressed in mint condition uniform, and then of course to her shining black shoes. Yep, everything is perfect.

"You forgot your earrings."

Nyota glances at Gaila, though her roommate had yet to turn her gaze back in Nyota's direction. Nyota opens her mouth to speak, but no words are forthcoming. Instead, a small puff of air escapes her parted lips which quickly turns into a full blown laugh that brings tears to her eyes. The fact that Gaila quickly joins in the laughter doesn't really help either.

"Oh, God!" Nyota gasps out, one hand pressed to the table's vanity as she uses it to keep from double over. "I am stressed."

Nyota and Gaila continue to laugh with each other until the sounds turn into small giggles. Slipping out her bed Gaila quickly makes her way to Nyota. Smiling brightly at her brown skinned roommate Gaila offers Nyota a playful wink before picking up the small silver studs that Nyota usually wears for class. Carefully Gaila fastens the studs in her friend's ears before using a tissue to dab the moisture from the corner of Nyota's eyes, mindful of the eyeliner and mascara as she does so.

"There," Gaila says once she's finished. "Now you're all ready."

"Thanks Gaila," Nyota breaths out softly, her slender arms wrapping around the Orion in a comforting hug. "I really needed that."

"It's ok, Ny." Gaila gently pats Nyota on the back before pulling back to catch a glimpse of the time. "However, if you don't leave soon you'll be late for class."

Nyota glances at the time as well before nodding. "You're right. I'll see you after class then."

Nyota gives Gaila a warm peck on the cheek before quickly heading out of the dorms. Though she and Gaila are both well aware that Nyota's class doesn't actually begin for another forty-five minutes they both also know that it will take about fifteen minutes for Nyota to make her way across campus and to the designated class, even with the brisk pace she's setting for herself. It has become somewhat of a well known trademark of Nyota's to already be in class and seated front and center well before the class is scheduled to start. Many of her Professors would also come early to have a quick chat with her before class, sharing laughs and knowledge with the bright Cadet as she helps with class setup.

This is how things usually would go for the Cadet but, while taking Commander Spock's class, it had yet to happen at all. Feeling the stress starting to build in her chest again Nyota quickly shakes it off before opening the door to the lecture hall. Glancing around the room is, as per usual, empty. Shutting the door behind her Nyota takes her usual seat before glancing over her PADD. With her eyes moving from left to right Nyota reads over her assignment, another routine habit of hers that was performed before each class.

Not expecting anyone to enter the lecture hall for at least another twenty minutes Cadet Uhura is unprepared for the sound of the door sliding open. Turning her eyes away from her PADD and to the intruder Nyota, upon seeing her instructor, feels her mouth go dry and her heart rate increase. Scrambling out of the chair Nyota hastily places her PADD down before standing at attention. "Commander Spock."

"As you were, Cadet."

Nyota stares at Commander Spock for all of three seconds before stiffly returning back to her seat. Though instructed to continue as she was, even with her brown-eyed gaze once more on her PADD Nyota is very aware of each move of her instructor, from him letting the door swoosh closed behind him, to the even footfalls of his steps as he moves to the desk that was right in front of her own.

Well this is new, Nyota thinks to herself as a covert glance from beneath the fan of her lashes confirms Commander Spock taking a seat as his desk. Nyota watches him for a minute or so though his velvet brown eyes do not once glance in her direction, instead his head is bent over a PADD as hers should be but, even with the desire to read over her work Nyota cannot take her eyes off the Vulcan because her instructor has never ever come to class until exactly five minutes before its start.

"Cadet."

Nyota feels her face burning with embarrassment as the Vulcan, the half-Vulcan gaze meets her own. If it wasn't for his human eyes then one would not even know from looks alone that Commander Spock is a Vulcan/Terran hybrid. Yet, even with human eyes anyone can tell just from a look that Nyota was staring.

"Yes, Commander Spock?" Even when caught doing such an embarrassing thing Nyota is pleased however that she keeps her voice steady and clear.

"I would like to have a word with you."

"Of course, Commander." Rising to her feet Nyota feels her stomach doing summersaults from a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Finally finally finally, the one and only instructor who had never sung her praise is about to…about to do what? Make an acknowledgment of her skills perhaps? Commander Spock is the one unattainable, well, to be perfectly honest the second unattainable of Nyota Uhura's life. Though Nyota of course wishes to please all of her instructors, never once has she wanted to please another instructor as much as she wishes to please this one, this half-Vulcan half-Terran hybrid.

Standing in front of his desk now, as the walk is but a few steps from her own, Nyota glances down at her instructor, taking in the jet black hair, the ears tapered to a fine point, and the pale green tinted skin. Everything about him was so alien. Even if Vulcans are very humanoid they are cool and aloft, wrapped in a veneer of logic that is almost never broken.

Feeling her stomach clench painfully Nyota has to close her eyes against the image of her Professor, against the image of his features shifting, his skin darkening, his ears rounding out…

"Cadet." Whatever else her Professor is about to say is interrupted by the sound of the door swooshing open. Opening her eyes Nyota, as well as Commander Spock's gaze turns to the entrance as a blond-haired girl bustles into the room.

"Nyota! I knew I'd find you here…oh hello Professor."

"Cadet." Spock inclines his head in the blond's direction before turning his chocolate brown eyes back to Uhura. "It seems that our words shall have to be exchanged after class then."

"Of course, Commander."

The blond, or Gloria Stevens as her name was, glances from their Professor, then to her classmate, then back to her Professor again, a brow raised with curiosity. Nyota quirks her lips in Gloria's direction before making her way next to a classmate that she has seen in many of her classes since her first few days at the Academy. Though Nyota's closest friend is Gaila Gloria comes in a close second to Nyota's green-skinned roommate.

"You were looking for me?"

"What?" Gloria gaze is fastened on their Professor who has, by now, turned back to his PADD.

Seeing that Gloria's attention is diverted Nyota sighs softly before stepping in Gloria's line of vision so that now Gloria's blue eyes are no longer transfixed by Commander Spock. "Gloria," Nyota begins patiently. Though a part of her is upset about the interruption since it was the first time that Commander Spock had wished to speak with her, another part of Nyota is very glad since, knowing what was now ahead, the Cadet can take the appropriate preparations for her talk with the Commander. "Let's get out of the doorway."

Gloria glances furtively at Commander Spock over Nyota's shoulder before nodding and leading the way to her desk which is much further away than Nyota's. "I didn't know that he would be here," Gloria whispers, mindful of a Vulcan's superior hearing. "I thought you said he never comes to class early."

"He doesn't," Nyota whispers, her own gaze flickering over to their Professor before she turns her brown eyes back to Gloria. "But never mind that. What did you want to speak with me about?"

Gloria glances at Commander Spock once more before placing her PADD in front of her friend. "I was wondering if you could look over my translations for me."

"We only have ten minuets before class starts. Why didn't you ask me earlier?"

"I went to a few parties with Jim and well…you know how Kirk is." Nyota rolls her eyes and Gloria laughs softly before continuing. "Besides, you're smart enough. It's not as though it'll take you more than a few minutes."

Nyota glances down at the words on the screen before returning her gaze to Gloria. "You know this course is advance phonology. It's not about the translation, it's about syntax, the reasons why each combination of sound form words, of the structure of sentences and the laws behind them, of the common threshold that each language shares."

Gloria groans softly before running a hand through her blond curls. "I know that Nyota. Please do not quote the course description at me. Everyone's not as talented as you are."

Nyota frowns slightly at Gloria's words and the tone that accompanied them. "It's not about talent, it's about hard work."

"Yes, you're right." Gloria concedes, her blue eyes briefly flickering to the time since there is not much left of it and really the Cadet wished to utilize the last few minutes on her assignment instead of starting a debate about the pros and cons of over studying and its relation to stress and, subsequently, stress' relation to more than a handful of physical and mental ailments. "So…will you help me out or not?"

Nyota is quick to forgive her friend when she's presented with a dazzling smile. Returning the smile Nyota gives her friend a brief scolding, more for formality than anything else. Gloria must know as well because, instead of getting defensive the blond Cadet offers Nyota a broad grin before planting a wet slopping kiss to Nyota's cheek. "Thank you, doll."

Nyota laughs as she wipes the moisture off her face before turning her attention to Gloria's PADD. Time is of the essence so instead of leading Gloria through a series of exercises that would let the blond see the mistake in her work Nyota simply points it out, explaining that the heart of her mistranslations is based on one particular word that has multiple meanings.

"Oh thanks!" Gloria exclaims, her pale fingers flying over her PADD as she furiously edits her work.

"You know…" Nyota begins reluctantly, "The translations are just a base for your thesis about the languages' syntax, so just having a correct translation won't get you high marks in this class."

Gloria doesn't bother to look up as she speaks, her fingers still flying furiously over her PADD. "Of course not, we do have a Vulcan as an instructor. No one's ever gotten high marks in his class. Even if you do well on all of the homework, which in itself is a pain, the final exam is brutal."

As she finishes speaking the door swooshes open again, this time bearing entrance to about half a dozen students. Glancing at Gloria's PADD Nyota notes that there are a little over two minutes left before class begins. Saying her goodbye to Gloria Nyota nods hello to a few of her classmates as she makes her way back to her own desk and PADD. Knowing that she, as well as Commander Spock's other students will lose half marks for any late assignments Nyota quickly presses the send button so that her work can travel across cyber space and to the PADD her Professor is currently reading over.

As the minuets before class begins quickly come to a close the door swooshes open and closed repeatedly as most of the advance phonology students trickle in. At precisely 1100 hours Spock rises to his feet to begin class. Three more people do shuffle in after class has started but Commander Spock doesn't even glance in their direction.

Nyota, as always, is a studious Cadet, taking more than enough notes as the class progresses and indeed not shy about answering questions or voicing her opinion on one thing or another. Yet, even as she does so, the majority of Nyota's focus is on the end of class—on her upcoming talk with her Vulcan Professor. Feeling her muscles tighten in trepidation Nyota discreetly massages the knots away and, before long, its 1300 hours and class is over. Nyota of course, only realizes this as she always does due to the sound of chairs scraping back and feet hurriedly shuffling out of the classroom.

As usual, besides her Professor, Nyota is the last person left in the classroom. Letting out a slow breath of air Nyota grabs her PADD before rising to her feet and walking up to Commander Spock's desk. "Commander Spock, you wished to speak with me?"

"Cadet Uhura," Spock begins in an even tone, a cultural trademark of almost all Vulcans. "Are you aware that only twenty-eight percent of students who enroll in my class pass?"

"I was not aware, Commander."

"I do not fail sixty-two percent of my students." Nyota stares at her Professor who had taken a seat behind his desk once class had concluded. Though Commander Spock is speaking to Nyota his attention seems to be focused on his PADD as fiddles with one program or another.

Nyota can feel her brows furrow in question as she stares down at her Professor. Based on Commander Spock's silence a response seems to be in order however, so parting her lips Nyota speaks, more slowly than usual though as she's unsure if the words spoken are those which Commander Spock is expecting. "From my observation alone about half of the students dropped out of the class before the first week was even finished."

"Forty-six percent." The silence stretches between the two uncomfortably as the Professor, once more, seemingly waits for a response from Nyota. This time his attention is turned away from his PADD and solely focused on Nyota.

"Commander…" Nyota begins, unsure of what she's going to say exactly but not at all enjoying the uncomfortable silence or the intensity of her Commander's Spock stare.

"Cadet," her Professor speaks, saving Nyota from the embarrassment of fumbling for words. "Earlier Cadet Stevens stated that my finals are brutal."

Nyota can feel her face heating from embarrassment at the thought of Commander Spock hearing some of the things Gloria had said though, in hindsight, it's by no means even close to what some other students would say about their cold Vulcan Professor. "You…you heard us?"

"This course is advance phonology. It's not about the translation, it's about syntax, the reasons why each combination of sound form words, of the structure of sentences and the laws behind them, of the common threshold that each language shares." Commander Spock quotes Nyota perfectly though of course his words lack the inflections of Nyota's speech since her Professor is, after all, a Vulcan. "You are a capable xenolinguistic Cadet Uhura."

Though the statement is spoken in a monotone and the words modest Nyota can't help the bright smile that flashes across her face, making her honey brown eyes light up with pleasure as she gazes at Commander Spock. "Thank you, Professor."

It feels so good, so good to hear those careful words leaving Commander Spock's lips. And even though it's an alien seated before her Commander Spock's demeanor so closely resembles that of her Father that Nyota can feel her eyes prickling with tears. Blinking rapidly Nyota dispels the tears before they can fall, her heart feeling a bit lighter and her smile growing even wider if that's indeed possible. Maybe Nyota doesn't have two unattainables afterall.

Commander Spock gaze seems fixated Nyota's continance as he watches the different flashes of emotion beaming fromher eyes. Once more the silence is uncomfortable for Nyota because the Cadet has no idea what is going through the mind of her stoic Professor. Wondering if he emotional display has offset her Professor Nyota hastily recomposes her features in a more pleasing expression for a Vulcan which of course means no expression at all.

Commander Spock gazes at Nyota for a moment longer before rising to his feet. "The gratitude is unnecessary, Cadet." Nyota doesn't know what to say in response to that so instead remains silent. "If you will check your PADD Cadet; I have sent an assignment I wish you to complete."

Nyota glances down at her PADD where a small exclamation point is flashing to let her know of the new notice. "Extra credit?" With Commander Spock standing now Nyota has to glance up to meet his eyes, her voice filled with surprise as extra credit is something Commander Spock definitely does not do.

The Commander in question inclines his head. "If you wish to call it that, then yes since its completion is not mandatory. However, whether you choose to complete it or not it is in your best interest to keep this from your fellow Cadets."

Well, Commander Spock's words weren't a threat per se but Nyota is well aware that if the news of this extra assignment did get out then it would only damage her own credibility with whatever grade she would receive in this class, a grade that Nyota has given up many hours of sleep over for. Just telling one person is like gasoline on a fire for such shocking news, of Commander Spock giving extra credit would spread through the campus faster than a starship traveling at warp eight.

"I won't tell anyone about the assignment, Commander."

Commander Spock once more inclines his head before turning towards the entrance of the classroom. "I shall see you in my office tomorrow at 0900 hours then."

"Yes, Commander."

With his PADD secure under one arm Commander Spock uses his other to gesture towards the door. Taking the hint Nyota whispers her farewell before briskly exiting the room, her whole body filled with excitement at the endless possibilities of what Commander Spock could have sent to her PADD. Though Nyota would usually go to one of the recreation rooms after classes with Gaila, Gloria, or Hikaru today Nyota has a very strong feeling that she'll be holed up in her room for the next few hours going over whatever extra credit Commander Spock has sent her.

Tbc...

This is my first ever Star Trek fanfic ever and I must say writing Spock is HARD! Well, it's his speech that's hard to write -_- Anyway I hope it's not too bad and please give me some feedback so that I can improve my writing, it would be very much appreciated ^_^ Also it should be noted that I do not have a beta so all mistakes are my own and the rating of this story may increase in the future but if that's the case I'll make sure to give you all a warning.