This is my second chapter! It might be a little jumbled and whatnot but I'm really trying to push through these first few chapters to really get to the meat of the story! Please Read and Review! It really helps me to get motivated to finish the story. Thanks!

2256 – October 5th

"Professor!"

Spock heard a voice and turned to see Commander Pike jogging towards him. Commander Pike had been attending Spock's class on Vulcan Literature and doing quite well, if he may add. She was doing better than his most prized student, Cadet Nyota Uhura.

"Yes Commander Pike?" Spock asked.

Audrey beamed as she looked in the emotionless Vulcan face. "Professor, I was hoping that I would see you." She said cheerfully.

"See me Commander?" Spock raised one of his eyebrows questioningly.

He could see a twinkle in Audrey's eye. "Yes. I had an inquiry regarding the texts that you assigned for class. I believe that it is due to lack of understanding of the Vulcan culture that I am finding it difficult to comprehend the texts fully."

That caused Spock's head to very slightly tilt to the side in surprise. "You Commander? That is highly surprising considering your adept skill in Vulcan."

She smiled. "Thank you Professor for your confidence but this issue continues to escape me."

"Follow me Commander. Let us continue this conversation in my office." Spock led the way to his office.

On the way to the office, Spock could not help but notice the fact that Commander Pike continued to beam. "May I make a personal inquiry, Commander?"

Audrey tilted her head, "Of course Professor."

"Human emotions are difficult for me to understand. However, I had noticed your lack of… enthusiasm in my class. It is puzzling to me to see you so… excited in my presence."

Audrey could tell that he was trying to be polite and was genuinely curious. She couldn't help but find it a little endearing despite her overall lack of enthusiasm regarding Vulcans. There was no denying that she was good at Vulcan, in general she was talented in many respects but it always felt like she was talking to stoic ghosts whenever she talked to Vulcans. It was eerie and unnerving for her when she was faced with such logical people.

It was the same for Spock, where Audrey was concerned, for humans seemed to be all but logical. But for Audrey, her friend Nyota was infatuated with him and only for her would she do this. Nyota had asked a favor of Audrey. It was apparently Spock's birthday and Nyota had wanted to surprise him. Thus it was up to Audrey to put the cherry on top and bring him to where Nyota needed him to be.

Sure, she didn't like Spock very much, but she was excited for her friend. Love was in the air and Audrey just couldn't help but smile.

"Well, Professor, I just feel like today is going to be a good day." Audrey said while shrugging.

"I do not believe in intuition, Commander. It is-"

Audrey put up a hand, "Illogical right? How did I know" she muttered to herself shaking her head, but even that couldn't keep the smile from her face. "Here we are!" she exclaimed before Spock could reply.

Spock was puzzled by this human but did not say more. He opened the door to his office and stepped through when he realized that there was somebody in his office. The door behind him closed and he realized that Audrey had not followed him in.

He walked forward to discover the identity of the intruder only to find Nyota waiting in his office.

"Cadet Uhura. What is the meaning of this?"

She smiled nervously, "Spock, I know you might feel a little uncomfortable, but I wanted to do something special for your birthday."

It was then things began to fall into place for Spock. For Audrey, she left as soon as Spock walked through the door. She hoped that things would go well even if he was a green-blooded hobgoblin as a friend of hers so endearingly calls Vulcans.

2257 - November 7th

Ever since Audrey helped Nyota in her little surprise birthday event for Spock, Spock and Audrey had grown to be friends. In an attempt to under human emotions and interactions more clearly, he accepted Audrey's help. It was an opportunity to "befriend" a highly intellectual colleague and to conduct an anthropological study.

Audrey was the first to offer her friendship. She had once witnessed a very unfortunate event regarding Spock.

Flashback

Audrey had been walking to her class when she saw Spock conversing with two other professors. They seemed to be laughing but whether it was with him or at him she wasn't able to tell at that distance. Coming closer she could hear what they were saying and what they were saying wasn't pleasant.

It made her furious. For professors, who should be role models for other cadets, to be conducting such behavior and to be making fun at a colleague was distasteful. However, to be saying such things to his face about his supposed "lack of emotions" was simply disgusting. It was common knowledge that they did have emotions but it was simply that they had much better control of it than humans did.

Audrey couldn't continue to watch and marched up to two snickering so obviously in front of the oblivious Spock.

"Professors. Good afternoon. I couldn't help but notice how much fun you two seemed to be having. What is it that you are sharing with each other that only the two of you find so amusing?" Audrey spat out with the most chilling smile. "It couldn't possibly have been something offensive could it?"

The two professors began to sputter answers and soon gave their excuses to leave.

Spock turned to look at Audrey and raised an eyebrow. "Why did you do that Commander?"

Audrey sighed angrily and looked up at Spock, "Sir, you should really learn to understand when humans are laughing at you and when they are laughing with you. I am sorry. I… I just am disgusted to be considered part human if it means that I am to be associated with that sort of trash."

"I… see. Although your assistance was not required, I… am grateful. It seems that I have much to learn about human interaction."

Audrey shrugged and smiled, "Professor. How do you learn about human interaction?"

Spock answered, "By reading and observation, Commander."

She shook her head, "You know, the best possible way to learn is through personal experience."

"Yes, I am aware. Unfortunately, I have been unable to do so as many humans find my presence… unnerving and thus are not willing to help me on such an experiment." Spock answered.

"Well, Professor, I'm always willing to help you. Plus, it'll help me learn about Vulcans," she said cheerfully

End flashback

Ever since that offer, which Spock eventually took Audrey up on, the two became great friends. They were quite a pair being one who seemed to have no emotion and one who seemed to have an overabundance of emotion.

2257 – December 31

Just for today, Audrey wanted all of her friends around her. It was New Year's Eve, and the past year was one of definite excitement. She made many new friends that year, many who were cadets. They included Jim Kirk, the neighborhood playboy, and Leo McCoy, affectionately known as "Bones".

Jim was cute and she had to give him that. He was childish and yet was a natural born leader. His easy smile was definitely the most charming thing about the young cadet and Leo McCoy. Everybody called him "Bones" but Audrey never warmed to the title. She much preferred his name and instead called him Leo. He was a gruff Southern gent for sure. Audrey didn't know what it was, but whenever she looked at him she couldn't help but feel a little tug towards him. He seemed familiar…

And, of course, Spock and Uhura also came to the party. She invited Spock in the hopes that he would enjoy the party but now, she wasn't sure. Did she do the right thing?

"Hey Spock, are you enjoying the party?" Audrey asked cautiously watching Spock's face after sitting down next to him. Audrey and Spock had, before this occasion, ventured into public places together to experience human interaction and culture and in some ways to get to know each other more thoroughly, but never had Audrey brought Spock to a social gathering like this.

"Vulcans do not have 'fun' Audrey. However… I am pleased with my decision to come to this gathering," said Spock eyeing a certain cadet getting another drink.

Spock wasn't what you would call mingling with the other people at the party but he did seem to be amused by the antics of the guests. They spoke of the year past and the year to come telling each other about any New Year resolutions they may have and such while getting progressively more and more drunk. Spock would never drink to "get drunk" as other humans frequently seem to do because it is illogical to force yourself into a situation in which you could not control yourself. However, sometimes he envied that freedom humans seemed to have

"Really?" Audrey's eyes grew bright and a silly grin found itself on her face. "I'm so glad! I was so worried that you wouldn't like it."

"On the contrary, I am learning quite a few things while here. I do have a few inquiries however," said Spock as he turned to look at her directly. "I have noticed that you have been dancing with several male cadets tonight. Are you attracted to or do you have romantic feelings for them? Are you what they call… a 'player'?"

At that, Audrey couldn't help but burst out laughing. Oh Spock, how adorably clueless he was. A player? Now where had he heard that term?

She put her hand on his clothed arm and began to explain. "A player is someone who leads on other people. In other words, they lead another to believe that they are emotionally attached to that person but in the end will refuse to make a commitment to that one person. They do this to several people at the same time. I'm not a player. I don't have the skill for something like that."

Spock noticed the hand on his arm but didn't say anything. Audrey had been more physical as they have spent more time together and while at first it did bother Spock, he found the touch... comforting.

Before responding, Spock's eyebrows furrowed even deeper. "I see… Then the male cadets?"

Audrey sheepishly grinned, "Oh you mean Jim and Leo? I'm not attracted to Jim. Sure he's cute and all but I'd never take him seriously. He's the real player here. Got the looks and personality to match."

Spock felt relief when Audrey revealed her lack of interest in James T. Kirk. Cadet Kirk had the reputation of being a "player" as humans called it and was often the cause of many broken hearts. He was glad to know that his friend would not be at the end of one of his ventures.

"And Dr. McCoy?"

"Leo's… I don't know. Truth be spoken, I think he's… incredibly dark and handsome. Just the way I like them," Audrey winked, "we'll see what time's got in store for us."

Spock was about to respond with a word of caution when he felt someone brush up against him as they sat down. Nyota with her new drink had just sat down with her eyes set on one Vulcan and it wasn't difficult to see what she wanted. Spock felt the liquid warmth that emanated from Nyota and could not concentrate on anything else as his mind fell into hers at her slight touch.

Audrey saw the look the two shared and excused herself with a small smile on her face. Now to find Dr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.