So this is the second chapter to my first story I have written. I really hope you like it so far, and I will try to update often so I don't leave you hanging for too long. Thanks so much for checking out my story and please review and give suggestions so I can make it better! I DO NOT OWN STAR TREK, AND I DO NOT INTEND TO COPY RIGHT ANY OF THE CHARACTERS OR DIALOGUE. I only own my OC, Stella.

I was fine with being alone most of the time. Of course, I enjoyed the time I spent with companions, but the silent solitude that overtook me when I was in the lab or in my bed at night was calming. It let me think, contemplate, and gave me time to relax.

Work in the lab for the morning was normal, as always. I got there at seven a.m. sharp, munching on an apple during the stroll there.

I would work until one, until it was time for lunch. I would eat in my quarters alone or join Uhura, the captain, or Sulu for lunch.

I had met Sulu in the botany lab in my first month on the enterprise. After clumsily bumping into him and nearly knocking over a pot of soil, he had introduced himself and invited me to eat dinner with him and a few other crew members in the mess. From there on, a friend ship between me, Sulu, and Scotty, an engineering genius, had blossomed.

After eating, I would then return to work until I was too tired to keep my head up off the desk.

Everything was a smooth road, and I didn't like when there were bumps in it. Bumps and cracks that required me to be with other people who didn't know of my issue. It's not that I don't like people, don't get me wrong. I have wonderful friends that understand me enough to be around me and have fun. But to be around those that don't know, it's like being blind and people are telling you look how pretty the flowers are. To be deaf and someone telling you to play music.

I was just about to go on my lunch break when Commander Spock walked in. His dark hair was arranged perfectly as per usual, and his brown eyes were staring at me.

"Good afternoon lieutenant Anderson. You were just about to take your leave for lunch, correct?" He asked, his hands clasped behind his back. I nodded.

Downside number 145542 to not having a voice- you were like a human bobble head.

"Would you mind if I accompanied you? I would like to discuss some important matters regarding your study on the cells of the Andorian cactus. Your studies are impressive."

Whoa. Two compliments in less than 24 hours? It seemed almost out of character for Mister Spock. And important matters? Was he going to take me off the staff because I was mute?

I simply nodded and flicked off the microscope I was using. If he was going to do such a thing, I would do it without a fuss. After all, I was silent. I couldn't explain my studies and I couldn't answer questions about it. I was only good for research, which could only take a star fleet officer so far in there career as a science officer.

We were both quiet as we made our way to the mess.

I didn't go to the replicator, but I wasn't hungry anyway. I let out a breath of relief as we sat down, and he didn't question my lack of a meal. We sat for a few moments before he pulled out a pad of paper and two pens. I looked at it, and he began to write. After a few moments, he slid the pad towards me. I read it quickly.

As I stated before. Your research is impressive. You are an intelligent scientist.

I paused and looked up at him, his face unchanging. I then looked at the paper again.

If your schedule would permit, I believe it would be logical for me to mentor you.

I froze. My curiosity then changed to irritation when figured out what was probably his true motive. Once people got over the fact I couldn't speak, it transformed into pity which was beyond annoying. I was mute, not disabled or unintelligent or any less of a person. I frowned at him slightly before writing on the pad

Commander, with all due respect, if you are offering this because of my missing ability, please refrain from any special treatment. I am mute, I do not think I can be of much help to you. Also, you can talk to me, you do not have to write to me.

I slid the paper back to him,

And he read it quickly. He quirked an eye brow at me before speaking.

"I assure you, lieutenant, that I have considered this notion and believe you could greatly contribute to my studies. This is not special treatment or anything of the sort. I chose to communicate with you through writing because I thought you would be more comfortable with it.", He explained, and I considered his proclamation.

It was a wonderful opportunity no doubt. He was incredibly intelligent and would most definitely teach me things. While I had excelled in my studies at the academy, an science officer that has performed in the field for years could no doubt pass on the experience I have yet to encounter. But I was mute. I could only help him so much in the research he planned on doing. I looked up at him before taking the pad.

Please speak. I enjoy hearing the sounds, even if I cannot make them.

I slid it back to him, and he read it. He nodded.

"I understand." He didn't say anything more before I took the pad back and scribbled quickly.

It would be a privilege to work with you.

His lips quirked upward ever so slightly as he read it, and he nodded. I knew I could only do so much to help him with the delving but that doesn't mean no beneficial outcome couldn't arise. The positive side of me was poking out, and I ignored the small throe of regret in my gut. I hoped I had made the correct decision.

"If your schedule allows, we will meet in the lab on floor 3. I do not have time during the day due to my shifts on the bridge, however the evening is a suitable time." He said. I nodded as his communicator sounded.

"Spock, please report to the bridge." I heard Kirk's voice sound from the device.

"I will be there shortly captain."

He flipped his communicator shut before standing up.

"We may rendezvous tomorrow night in the lab. Apologies for leaving on such notice but I must return to the bridge."

I nodded and gave a slight wave, and he took his leave. I was left alone, pondering if I had made a mistake to accept his offer. I hoped I could help him as much as I knew he could help me. So many wonderful opportunities- but what if I wasn't smart enough? Good enough?

I shoved my doubts away and headed back to the lab quickly, hoping to drown my thoughts with the research of an alien plant.

I wasn't born mute. I hadn't chosen to be silent. Well, at first I did. But I didn't know why.

The day my sister ended her life, my world broke; it didn't shatter, it just broke. A giant crack on a perfect pane of glass. A puzzle with a missing piece.

I couldn't talk after that, post-traumatic stress I suppose. I wanted to talk sometimes, but every time I tried, I couldn't. It was like there was a noose tied around my neck, not hers. Like I was the one that died, not her.

My mother sent me to doctor after doctor after doctor before I finally got her to stop by signing up for star fleet. I was angry at my sister, I was angry at myself, and I was angry at the world. For taking my baby sister away from me, for her pulling a permanent disappearing act. When I applied to Star Fleet, I was afraid they would reject me because of my disability (if you could call it that) but I was accepted. Apparently I could "have a brighter future that Star Fleet would be glad to offer".

I had a few friends, but I wasn't a social butterfly during my years at the University. I was under the radar and I was glad for that. I would have graduated a year earlier if not for my muteness. I would have been at the top of my classes if I could talk. Many of my professors looked at me with pity. As if I could have been or done so much more if not for my silence. But despite the doubts and challenges I faced, despite the pain that had inhibited me, I had done it. I was performing aboard the Enterprise, I had made friends, I had faced several challenges and over come them, despite the nagging feeling of regret and and loss.

And I have sailed along perfectly since then.

I really hope you are enjoying the story so far! Please review and rate, and I am welcome to any suggestions or comments you have! I know this chapter was short but I promise I will try to make them longer in the future. I don't want to focus a lot on the suicide surrounding Stella's background, and I promise it won't be a big issue throughout the story. And Stella will be getting her voice back, so she won't be silent the entire story. She and Spock will have a romantic dialogue, but I don't want it to be immediate like several other fictions I have read. It will be gradual and hopefully loyal to the way Spock is portrayed in the franchise.