I do not own Star Trek. Let's continue…

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Chapter 3

"Hang in there, Spock. You're going to be ok," Nyota anxiously decreed.

More than anything, she made the statement in an effort to convince herself, especially since Spock couldn't hear a word she was saying. The gentle rise and fall of his chest provided some comfort since it let her know a fate worse than unconsciousness had not befallen him due to the accident. Nyota lifted her head and scanned the crowd for the woman who was so effective in gaining her attention with her piercing scream.

"What happened?" Nyota inquired once she found the person she was seeking.

The woman pointed to an object that rested on the ground just in front of the entryway of the building the crowd had gather in front of, and said, "That thing struck him on the head."

A man emerged from the group and bent down to pick up the object. He examined both sides and then looked up at the top of the building.

"It's a circuit board. It looks like it's for some sort of industrial communications device or hub. I'm pretty sure there's a hub at the top of this building," the man shared.

He juggled the equipment between his hands and continued, "Luckily, it's not very heavy. But from that height, I'm sure it gained quite a bit of speed before landing on this poor guy."

Just then, a man came running from across the street and crouched down next to Spock and Nyota.

"Hi. I'm a doctor," the man said as he tried to catch his breath.

"Oh, thank goodness! He passed out about 2 minutes ago. That circuit board hit him in the head. We think it fell from the top of the building," Nyota revealed.

"Luckily, I have my medical tricorder with me. I'll do some scans."

"Should I move out of your way," she asked.

"No, no, you're fine. Besides, your lap is a much nicer place for his head than the hard pavement."

The doctor pleasantly smiled and looked at Nyota, but her attention was completely focused on Spock. He could see the worry in her eyes and mused at how lucky the young man on the ground was—in spite of his current condition—to have such a beautiful creature watching over him. The doctor caught a glimpse of Spock's ears and had to amend his thought: he was one lucky Vulcan.

His newest patient's heritage explained some of the off-the-chart readings on his tricorder. His body temperature, although elevated by human standards, was well within range for a Vulcan. The same was true of his increased heart rate and blood pressure.

The scans confirmed the prognosis the doctor formed when he was shown the circuit board.

"Your friend has a concussion, but there should be no permanent damage to the brain. The best thing for him is rest."

"He doesn't need to go to the hospital?" Nyota questioned.

"There's no treatment that needs to be given. The scans show no damage and his vitals are perfectly normal. And he may appreciate not being taken to the hospital just for a nap."

Nyota slowly began to realize that the events in the past 8 minutes or so were turning her into Spock's caregiver. She wondered if those who were close by when the accident occurred had assumed the duo were friends since they had addressed one another by name. Not to mention that Spock's head cradled in her lap hinted at a greater sense of familiarity between the two. Nyota didn't mind tending to him, but for a fraction of a moment, without knowing where he lived, or who should be called in case of an emergency such as this, she wasn't quite sure what to do next. However, her concern was quickly replaced with a plan of action.

"My apartment is in the building next door. But I'm going to need some help getting him upstairs."

****

Nyota sat still in the oversized armchair next to her bed, keeping vigilant watch over the injured Vulcan that fate had effectually delivered to her doorstep. He resembled a role-reversed 'Sleeping Beauty' with his body stretched out in a straight line and his hands resting on his stomach. If she leaned down to gently kiss his lips, would he wake? Spock began to stir and Nyota regretted that she would not be able to test her theory.

She rose out of the chair and sat on the edge of the bed next to Spock. His eyes fluttered open and he tried to reconcile his current surroundings with his last conscious memory. He turned his attention to Nyota, and she could sense a calm that promptly replaced his confusion.

"Hey," she whispered. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," he wincingly replied.

"You can rest here as long as you need to." Her words to Spock were accompanied by a sweet smile that helped ease some of his pain.

Nyota stood to exit the room, but was hindered by an arresting tug on her arm.

"Don't go," Spock pleaded.

They stared into each other's eyes and Nyota was keenly aware of something smoldering within Spock. Was it desire? But how could that be? If she didn't know anything else about Vulcans, she knew that they were notoriously stoic.

Nyota gulped hard and asked, "Can I get you something?"

"No."

Spock continued to grip her arm and gaze longingly into her eyes. Then he showed something to Nyota that confounded her even more—a smile. However, it wasn't an innocent smile that one may give to an acquaintance. It was an impishly suggestive grin that fell on the opposite end of the spectrum. He sat up in the bed so that their faces were dangerously close.

"I'm starting to wonder if Cupid has changed his methods. Perhaps his weapon of choice is no longer arrows but circuit boards," the amorous cadet seductively intimated.

"That's very funny, Spock," she countered through a nervous giggle.

"I am not laughing, Nyota," he replied while stroking her cheek with his forefinger.

'What is going on?' she inwardly pondered. Then Nyota recalled the doctor's instructions to look for any changes in personality as a result of the concussion. That would certainly explain why Spock was acting very un-Vulcan-like at that moment.

"I think you should lay back down, Spock. You really need to…"

Her command was cut short by Spock cradling the nape of her neck and snuffing out her words with a deep, passionate kiss. His hands moved to her back and he pulled her closer to his body.

"Spock, I don't think you know what you're doing." She stated through his continuing barrage of kisses.

He redirected his attention to Nyota's neck which was starved for the attention that only his lips could adequately provide.

"Are you implying that I am not seducing you properly?"

"No, I'm expressly stating that the bump on your head has you acting in a way that you may later regret."

Spock pulled away and he met Nyota's eyes with a look of hurt and confusion. She paused just long enough to catch her breath and when she saw the wave of emotion that flowed from his eyes, she was powerless to resist. She proceeded to take his face into her hands and pulled him back in for a kiss that equaled the intensity of the one he gave her. She allowed her hands to wander up to his hair and forced the strands to weave through her fingers.

"But Nyota, I thought…"

"Shut up, Spock and just kiss me."

Nyota's body jolted to a start as the illusion that had just played out entirely within her mind began to dissolve. She had been dreaming.

Yes, she was, in fact, sitting in the large chair next to her bed, and her bed was currently occupied by a resting Spock. However, that was the extent of reality. Nyota shook her head and moved the palms of her hands down her temples to her cheeks.

"Where did that come from?" she wondered.

She looked over to Spock and was captivated by his serenity. In fact, perhaps he was a little too serene. She couldn't observe the comforting rise and fall of his chest. But that may have been a function of the increased tint she had the computer place on the windows to cut down on the amount of sunlight entering the room.

She got out of the chair and moved closer to Spock. She placed her index finger under his nose to see if she could feel his breath. Nothing. Her heart began to beat a bit faster. She gathered her long hair into her hands and draped the locks across her left shoulder. She bent down to place her left ear to his face to see if she could detect anything audibly.

"I can assure you I am alive, Nyota,"

Nyota yelped in surprise and placed her hand on her chest.

"That's the second time today you've scared me half to death."

"I am sorry."

"No need to apologize. I'm just glad you're ok. You are ok, right?"

"I believe so."

"Do you remember anything that happened?"

"The last thing I recall is being struck on the head by an object, which I have yet to identify. And then I remember you breaking my fall before I hit the ground."

"You sustained a concussion from a falling circuit board. There was a maintenance crew fixing a communications hub on the top of the building you were passing. They were obviously careless in their duties. I also think they're afraid you're going to sue the pants off of them."

"What use would I have with their pants?" he asked as he arched a quizzical eyebrow.

"Just a colloquialism," Nyota gently laughed. She went on to explain, "There was a doctor nearby who had a medical tricorder, so he was able to take some scans. You checked out ok and the only thing he prescribed was rest. Since I had no idea where you lived, I had the doctor and a few other volunteers bring you to my apartment. I hope you don't mind."

Inexplicably, a current of excitement shot through Spock as he realized that he had been sleeping on her bed.

"Not at all, Nyota. In fact, I am grateful that you took time out of your day to care for me." He felt heat rising from his collar as the words rolled out of his mouth.

"Would you like some tea?" she inquired.

"Yes please."

Nyota and Spock made their way into the living area of her apartment. He sat on the sofa and watched as she quietly prepared the green tea. Her movements were graceful and he was becoming hypnotized by the gentle sway of her hair created by her movement between countertops.

When the tea was ready, she made her way to the sofa and sat at the opposite end. She handed Spock his mug and took a long sip from her own.

"Spock, I am so sorry about yesterday. There is no excuse for my behavior. I was being a complete jerk."

"You seemed to think I was acting in a similar manner as well yesterday, based on your farewell."

Through a pained expression, Nyota said, "You heard that, huh?"

"Indeed."

"Ouch," she said while closing her eyes tightly. "Hopefully you will accept my apology?"

"How could I reject it when my very presence in your home demonstrates your contrition?"

Nyota flashed a broad smile of relief as she shifted her attention to the tea. She blew into the mug to help lower the liquid's temperature a few degrees so it wouldn't scorch her tongue. Her pinky finger danced along the rim of her mug as she tried to think of something to say to her guest. However, Spock beat her to the punch.

"Nyota, I was actually looking for you when my unfortunate accident occurred."

"Really?" she responded with surprise.

"Yes. I was on my way to the antique shop to ask Mr. Edmunds how I could locate you when I saw you exit the establishment."

"Why?"

"I was curious to find out where you learned to speak Vulcan. You speak the language quite well."

"You really think so? Thank you. Well, I…"

Nyota's explanation was interrupted by the computer's announcement of a visitor at her door.

"Oh! That must be Captain Pike," she explained.

"Captain Pike? How did he know to find me here?"

"I reached him using your communicator. It took me a while to gather my thoughts, but I figured using the redial function would be as good a method as any in reaching someone you knew."

Nyota opened the apartment door to find a distinguished looking gentleman with a hint of gray developing on his temples.

"Miss Uhura?" Pike questioned.

"Yes. Captain Pike, I presume," she said as she extended her hand and welcomed him into her apartment.

"Correct. I understand that one of my cadets met with a bit of misfortune today. Ah! Mr. Spock, there you are."

"Hello, Captain."

"How are you feeling, son?"

"I am doing well, sir."

Pike walked over to Spock who was standing erect with his eyes facing straight forward.

"At ease, Cadet. Are you feeling dizzy, nauseous?"

"Negative, sir."

"Good, good. Well, let me get you out of here. I'd still like one of the docs at the Academy to look you over."

Pike then turned his attention to Nyota and said, "On behalf of Starfleet Academy, I would like to thank you for your assistance this afternoon." Pike relayed this message in a tone that was laden with formality.

"And on behalf of me," he said in a relaxed manner that hinted at fatherly concern, "I wish to sincerely thank you." His eyes smiled at Nyota as he enveloped her delicate hand within both of his.

"Let's go, Cadet. We shouldn't overstay our welcome," Pike said, turning in the direction of the door.

"Captain Pike, may I have a moment?"

Pike looked back over his shoulder to Spock and then to Nyota. He suspected the cadet was smitten with the lovely young lady and the slightest hint of a smile spread across his face.

"Quickly, Spock. I want you checked out as soon as possible. Good evening, miss." He nodded to Nyota before making his way out the door to wait in the hall for his protégé.

"Nyota, it has occurred to me that after having met you more than 24 hours ago, the only significant thing we know about each other is our names. Given the experience we have shared this morning and afternoon; this amount of knowledge seems insufficient."

"What do you suggest we do about that, Spock?"

"I would like to propose dinner on a night that is conducive to both of our schedules."

Spock's request for a date was easily the most unique she'd ever received and Nyota absolutely beamed.

"I accept your proposal."

"I will need to know how to contact you," he continued.

"I've already put my information in your communicator."

Nyota acknowledged the puzzled expression in Spock's eyes and offered an explanation.

"I did it while you were sleeping."

****

A/N – I know I know…the whole dream sequence was a cheap trick, but I've been itching to write something where Spock and Uhura are all kissy, kissy. But to have them making out 'for real' at this point in the story would have been too weird.

Also, my apologies if any of my references to technology in this fic are cringe worthy. I am by no means a tech head—I only use my cell phone to make and receive calls. *gasp*

Hope you enjoyed this installment!