Disclaimer: To my dismay I do not own Star Trek nor am I writing this to make money. I just want to play here for awhile :)
Spock thought about how is relationship with Nyota had begun as he laid down his bed in his quarters. He was too agitated to play the lute so he was left with only his thoughts. His thoughts of what he was pushing away and giving up.
5 years earlier…
The night was cool on the academy grounds as Commander Spock made his way towards his apartment from his office. He had spent the evening there planning his advanced Vulcan class for the up coming spring semester. The lectures were well prepared and he thought he had a good chance of actually teaching his students something this term. It exasperated him how unprepared his students had been in the past for his labs and assignments no matter how much he stressed that study out side of class was imperative to success in his class. He pushed his frustrations away with his now almost reflexive Vulcan emotional control. His pace slowed as his sharp Vulcan hearing picked what sounded like perfect Vulcan being spoken by a young female.
Since he had arrived on earth he had not heard his native language spoken correctly except by the rare occasions that his mother was able to sneak away from his father to contact him. He followed the voice until he arrived at a small picnic area out side of the student dorms. He stayed in the shadow of the trees as he saw the owner of the voice. He was taken by surprise, the young woman was not merely pretty, she was beautiful. Her dark eyes sparkled in the moonlight and her chocolate skin glowed as if it was competing with the loveliness of the night and winning. However it was not all of this that kept him there as the young woman practiced the Vulcan language, it was her voice, it drew him as if she was speaking to him alone. Acting on impulse for the first time since he was a child he decided he would speak with her.
"The desert trains the body as logic tames the mind and spirit," The melodic voice said in Vulcan.
"Indeed, but logic is only the beginning of wisdom" Spock replied in his native language, still hidden in the shadows. It felt good to use the language that came so naturally to him.
The Cadet, startled looked in Spock's direction. He almost thought she had seen him but if she had she made no indication of this.
"It was the last words of Surak, its meaning is still in debate," The cadet replied looking leery about talking to a stranger that she couldn't see, Spock didn't blame her, but he did not think he could speak this freely with her if they were face to face. He had trouble interacting with humans in the past. His Vulcan way of conversation didn't suit most humans. If there was a possibility that he would be her teacher one day he did not want it to become awkward if this conversation met the same end.
"I am impressed with your knowledge of the Vulcan language and text; may I inquire where you learned it?" Spock said his curious nature taking hold of him.
"Thank you, I taught my self, I used the library databases for the language guide and other text. I watched recordings of Vulcan speakers as well. I really became enthralled with it the first time I ever hear it. Vulcan is so beautiful, and yet powerful to the ear at the same time. I must say your accent and pronunciation is flawless, it is almost as if you are Vulcan."
"You have a gift for languages," Spock said, not as a question but as a fact, deliberately ignoring her last statement. He regretted it however; he was only stating the obvious and felt a little uncomfortable about his inept conversing skills.
"Communication is my course of study. I suppose I have a knack for it, at least a love for it anyway."
Before Spock could respond he noticed a group of students were headed towards his direction. One of the students he recognized as James Kirk. He had taken his test and failed it once already. The young woman hanging off of Kirks arm Spock did not know.
"I must take my leave, it was pleasant to speak with you," With those words, still in his native language, Spock reluctantly turned and walked away.
--------------------------------------------------------------
The first day of Spring Semester had arrived and Spock was now on his way to his first advanced Vulcan class. He had thought often about the beautiful young Cadet that he had conversed with. He had not been able to rationalize going back to see if the cadet was there again. Now that he was passing by the same spot that the conversation had taken place, he felt regret for not trying to speak to her again. He was a curious man by nature and he wanted to know more about the bright and talented young woman. Spock ignored his human side which said 'Its not only her language skills that has you curious' and pushed it to the back of his mind. He entered the large auditorium that would serve as his classroom for the semester.
It was empty, as he thought it would be, he was thirty minuets early so that there was adequate time to get his notes in order. Twenty minutes later the doors opened and students began to take their seats. When Spock looked up from his notes he had to fight not to show his shock. There sitting in the front row looking very intently at him, was the young woman he had conversed with. She was dressed in the traditional red skirt uniform. Her long thick black hair was pulled back into a pony tail. She was just as beautiful as he remembered. He inwardly sighed, his fathers words came to him, words he had heard often, "Too human". His reaction to her beauty was too human so he forcefully crushed it away as his training had taught him. He had a class to run. He stood up straight and put his hands behind his back.
"Good morning, I am Commander Spock and I will be teaching Advanced Vulcan this term. All previous knowledge from your mid level Vulcan courses should be reviewed and mastered by the end of the week," Spock's introduction had earned a few groans but his stern yet calm stare and raised eyebrow hushed the room more effectively then any reprimand could have done.
He found it difficult to do what was logical and ignore the young woman as the class progressed due to her participation in class and her ability to answer even the most difficult of questions he asked. During these interactions Spock was able to gain knowledge of her name, Cadet Uhura. When the hour was up and the class was dismissed Spock began to pack his things.
"The desert trains the body as logic tames the mind and spirit"
Spock looked up when he heard her voice speaking those same words in his native language again. His pulse quickened and his face flushed a slight green. It did not really surprise him that she discovered that it was he who had spoken with her a few months ago. He had spent most of the class speaking in Vulcan. A trained ear would be able recognize his voice and speech patterns. Spock did not know what to say so he did the most logical thing he could think of, he remained silent.
"I see now why your Vulcan was flawless. I suppose that I should feel more appreciative of your compliment now that I know the source," Uhura said smiling at him.
"I regret if our conversation caused you any discomfort I was just surprised to hear my native language being spoken so fluently. I am pleased that you are in my class Cadet Uhura," Spock said in his normal stoic tone, however, his eyes were bright with excitement and curiosity to be speaking with her again.
"There was no discomfort because of our conversation, just a curiosity." Uhura said her lovely almond shaped eyes were gleaming with an emotion that Spock could not recognize.
"I must admit that your level of understanding of Vulcan is far surpassed what is required of this class. In order to not waste your time, I would suggest an independent study with my self of perhaps a different dialect."
He could not believe what he had just offered. Why had he done this? He knew why and it was not an answer that pleased him, to spend more time with Cadet Uhura. This was illogical but he could not take back his offer now and he found that he did not want to.
"I would like that very much Commander Spock," Uhura said with enthusiasm.
"I am available after this class time, if that is amenable to you we coud perhaps meet here?" Spock asked looking forward at the wall behind Cadet Uhura and not at her.
"That's fine Commander."
"Very well, we will start tomorrow," Spock said trying hard to keep his elevated mood from seeping into his voice.
Nyota smiled "see you then, Commander Spock."
Spock watched as she left the room. He straightened his shoulders and then left, feeling like his human half had just won a victory.
A/N- Please review and let me know honestly what you think!