Jazz Club.

Uhura walked into his office with a bag thrown over her shoulder. It was what she always used to hold her PADDs in, but now she carried around a very valuable possession, at least in her mind it was.

The Andorian Poetry book Spock gave her wasn't original work from Andorians, but it was translated poetry from Earth's best poets from the past and present. She already read it three times in a month and would have read it more if she had more time.

As she sat down in her usual spot in front of Spock she leaned down to reach into her bag to retrieve a PADD, but her hand gently swept across the face of the book Spock bought her. She didn't like the Andorian language that much, but the fact the Spock of all people decided to buy her a book made her proud of herself.

"Hey professor." Uhura said. He sat there silently the whole time she had settled into the office.

"Hello Nyota." Spock said staring at his screen. Uhura could tell he was upset about something even though his face denied any trace of emotion.

"What's wrong?" Uhura asked. His head jerked towards her and he quickly responded.

"There is nothing wrong." Spock replied.

"Okay, Mr. Grumpy Pants." Uhura said only slightly under her breath.

"Cadet, I would prefer you use Spock when referring to me." He said turning off his computer and taking out a PADD of his own.

"Sorry. You just seem unusual today." Uhura said looking into his eyes for the first time since walking in. They were flashing with traces of disappointment.

He took in a relaxing breath, not taking his eyes from her.

"Just before you entered my office my mother and I had a conversation." Spock said. "My parents were going to visit during the break, but unfortunately my father has work to be done on Vulcan."

"I'm sorry." Uhura said.

"You should not be." Spock said.

"Why don't you just visit them?" Uhura asked.

"I have some work to do on campus during the break." Spock answered, his words coming out as soon as she finished asking.

"Spock, you need some cheering up." Uhura said tapping her fingers on the back of his hand and smiling. He slowly moved his hand under the desk, keeping it from her reach.

"The park?" Spock asked.

"Nope. We are going to a jazz club." Uhura said not letting him decided for himself.

"I have to finish putting together the exam for Physics, I have already finished the midterms for my other two classes." Spock said.

"Professor, may I offer you something?" Uhura asked.

"You may."

"We have three weeks until the exam. Today is just one day. You need to relieve some stress and go to a jazz club with me." Uhura said.

"I thought you said stress can be relieved at a park." Spock said.

"There are many places to relax Spock, you just have to be willing to go." Spock mentally calculated how much longer it would take him to finish the exam. He was already three-fourths done with it and it would take him approximately 26 minutes and 56 seconds to finish the rest of the exam according to the rate that he had already been going. He glanced up at Uhura who held a pitiful look on her face.

"Please?" She asked.

"Your request is accepted, but only for tonight." Spock said standing.

"Do you mind if we stop by my quarters before going? I would like to change into something more comfortable." Uhura said standing with him.

***

The club was lit dimly and did not have many people. Uhura and Spock walked in on the slow serenade of a saxophone. Uhura glanced over the club to find a bar in the corner.

"Come on." Uhura said walking towards the bar. She had changed into some loose jeans with a sweater.

"I'd like something fruity." Uhura said to the bartender.

"Strawberry Daiquiri right up." The bartender responded.

"And a virgin one, for him" She said motioning towards Spock.

After receiving their drinks Uhura asked Spock where he'd like to sit. He chose a small table in the corner of the room by a window. Quelle surprise.

She studied the band instruments on the small stage, but no players were there. She frowned. Hopefully someone would play tonight.

The stage was open for now, for anyone who wanted to express smooth talent. A young male cadet from Starfleet stood up, kissing his, what looked like his girlfriend and walked onto the stage.

"What's your name?" The manager asked him.

"Steve."

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen and whatever other weird creatures out there... Steve's going to present to us a poem." Uhura laughed.

"Is something amusing Nyota?" Spock asked.

"No. It's just I've watched so many movies with the same... never mind." She said watching Steve. He sat down on a stool, spreading his legs apart and put his hands on the edge of the stool, kind of like how an anxious five year would sit if he or she were watching television. He leaned his head down to the mic and began his journey of words.

"Life."

He started. Uhura was fascinated by this. Spock was fascinated by her.

"Sometimes.

You know?

It's a waterfall.

Everything goes downhill.

Until...UNTIL!

Until you meet

Caroline."

Uhura thought he was going to break into song and silently laughed to herself. She could only imagine him bring out a guitar. To her surprise the cadet stands up and picks up a guitar.

"Oh my gosh." Uhura laughed.

Spock was confused as to why she was laughing so much. This cadet was yet to do something funny. Although he wasn't funny, his words were amusing.

"Caroline!"

He cadenced her name with a chord.

"Oh won't you never leave me?"

Spock's eyebrows lifted in amusement as his voice cracked with the word 'me.' Uhura held back a laugh while someone in the crowd yelled a 'whoo' and a 'sing it.'

"Cause if you do... I'll find myself back on that waterfall.

And forever I'll fall...

And loose it all...

Without my Caroline."

Uhura stared at him, almost breaking. This song was so lame, but so sweet. His voice wasn't bad, but the lyrics, bleh. His voice would occasionally crack though.

They both had to be drunk. She watched as they both slowly walked into each other, desperately as if they were the last two people on the earth, then they started to make out. Uhura looked at Spock for his reaction. He only had a single eyebrow lifted and was blinking more than usual. She let out the loudest laugh that bounced off the walls.

"Sorry." Uhura said.

"Nyota, it is rude to laugh at people who attempt to please a crowd." Spock said. She laughed again.

"Why don't you go up there and sing a song for Caroline?" Uhura said, saying Caroline's name in a sing-song voice.

"Why don't you?" Spock retorted.

"Fine." Uhura said. His eyebrow was back in the air.

"I don't actually suggest that you sing a song for her." Spock said as she walked to the manager.

"Okay, here's another song for the crowd. Cadet Uhura... right.... did I say it right?" He asked looking at her.

"Yep." She said. Spock watched hysterically... well not hysterically, but kind of. He was skeptical. She was actually going to sing a song about Caroline.

Whistles from a few guys sounded as she stepped in front of the mic. She considered singing a song for Caroline just to kill Spock, but she decided against it. She sang her favorite Swahili song she translated into Vulcan. Not many people knew what she was saying, but Spock did. He also could have sworn she said the word Caroline, but maybe it was all in his head.

She returned back beside him and sat down taking a sip from the Daquiri.

"You have a delightful singing voice." Spock said as soon as she settled into her chair.

"Thank you." Uhura said.

"I'm sure you have a delightful singing voice also. Why don't you go up there?" Uhura asked with a smirk on her face.

"Did you mention her in the song?" He asked ignoring her question.

"Actually, I did. I did tell you I would, so..." Uhura said. Musicians were finally on the stage and began to slowly warm up.

"Would you say that we have what humans call an 'inside joke' now?" Spock asked.

"In fact we do!" Uhura said almost loosing herself and yelling 'Caroline!' But she didn't. Must be the Daiquiri.

The music slowly started, becoming a slow jazz song. At first the saxophone was leading, but a trumpet began more prominently along with a piano and drums.

"Come, dance with me." Uhura said. Not many people were dancing, but some were.

"I am fine where I am, thank you." Spock said. He had to admit to himself that tonight has been a very eventful night and actually kept him from the thoughts of his parents.

Uhura grabbed his hands without warning and dragged him to his feet.

Spock gently pulled away from grip. He'd already felt her emotions once, and they were friendly. Now was...different. It wasn't love, but her feelings for him were close to affection. His cheeks barely projected a light shade of green.

"It would be wise if you were to not touch my hands." Spock said.

"And why not?" Uhura asked.

"Because I would be able to know your current emotions, if you were to continue your actions."

"Sorry." Uhura said feeling a bit embarrassed. She grabbed his arms and guided his fingers to her waist and placed her hands on his shoulders as she slowly moved to the music.

Spock watched with rather large eyes.

"Are you not going to dance?" Uhura asked.

"I would prefer not to attract more attention to the academy after what Steve did." Spock said, maybe it was the Daiquiri (virgin) he was drinking, but he was being facetious. They danced to at least five songs, well at least Uhura did. She flashed him a smile and then yawned.

"What time is it?" She asked. Spock was relieved that she gave him an excuse to remove his hands from her waist. He took out his communicator and checked the time.

"2320 hours." Spock said.

"We should be getting back to the academy." Spock said looking around for Caroline and Steve.

"Yeah. Steve and Caroline are long gone." Uhura said flashing a tiny smile at him, his eyes reciprocating.

***

Uhura and Spock stood outside her building. She was exhausted. He was more ready to go home than exhausted.

"I had a great time Spock." Uhura said.

"As did I." Spock said. Uhura approached him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He hesitantly returned the hug and closed his eyes. He forgot where he was for the time of the hug, until she backed away. She looked at his closed eyes and smile as he opened them.

"Good night. Caroline." Uhura said.

"Good night. Steve." Spock said. He had no idea why he did such an illogical thing. Her name wasn't Steve, he wasn't Caroline. And yet he encouraged their joking. He tilted his head.

This chapter was fun to type and hard to type...Flere nu bo... That's 'here you go' in gibberish.