Cross Culture
Chapter 3
Day 3

Tibby stood up, having gotten used to referring to herself as Tibby mentally. She looked around her educational Pod and headed up the stairs. She was thinking of Spock.

He was one of the only friends she'd ever had. The only other one had been Richie, the guy who helped out on the family farm and was three years older than her – her brother's age. She'd never been social. Sure, she'd flirt but she'd kick the ass of all the guys who tried to do more than flirt with her. This often got into trouble and landed her with the title of 'slut' and 'whore' more times than she could count… not that it mattered much.

Sighing Tibby looked around, hating where her mind had gone to. She needed to do something physical. She needed an adrenaline rush.

Sparring with Spock would help but only so far. She knew, intellectually, he'd hold back because he wouldn't want to damage her. She needed to do something risky to feel alive. As she walked down the halls towards her room she remembered that just about a mile away from the Academy there was a cliff face. Tibby had never rock climbed before and the thought of doing so helped.

The eighteen-year-old decided her action and got ready to leave.

Only to have to stop when she saw Ambassador Sarek and Spock speaking. She couldn't help but swear before turning around but Spock saw her.

"You are planning something," he stated as they approach her.

"I was planning on breaking the rules," she admitted, not about to lie to Spock. Their tenuous friendship was built on complete honesty. She wouldn't break that friendship on a stupid lie like that. "I was going to go to the nearby Cliffside and climb it."

"Have you had much occasion to climb cliff sides when you were younger?" Ambassador Sarek questioned.

"Nope… wanted a new experience," she admitted. The Ambassador frowned and meant to say something about how illogical it is but she shakes her head. "Before you mention anything about my thoughts being illogical may I remind you I'm the same girl who drove a car off a cliff when she was ten. I don't think I'm the most rational or logical person you'll find."

She noticed both males repress the urge to smile though Spock's eyes and face show it slightly more than his father's.

"I will go with her father… if only to assure she does not… injure herself too badly. And if she does then I will escort her back to the Academy," Spock stated and she had to squash the part of her that wanted to dance around giddily. It annoyed her realizing how much of an affect one male… even if he is a Vulcan-human male… has on her.

"That will be acceptable," Ambassador Sarek stateed. "You have permission to leave the Academy… accompanied by Spock."

"Thank you," she said unable to control her smile, her excitement.

"No need to thank me. It is only logical. With the way you'll be attempting to leave, setting up a system where you will… feel comfortable as Spock's mother would put it. Now, I have other things to attend to," Ambassador Sarek stated and she nodded. He leaves and she turns to look at Spock in shock.

"Did he just, basically, give me permission to leave?" she asked and he nodded. "Well then, what are we waiting for?" she asked before heading out. He didn't follow so she decided he needed a little prompting. "I'll go with, or without you so you may want to follow."

Spock automatically followed after her like she'd expected. Outside Spock led her in the direction of the cliffs. When she got there she realized it was much taller than she'd realized.

"You've never climbed before?" he asked and she shook her head.

"No… have you?" she asked and he nodded.

"The Kahs-wan," he states plainly and she frowns trying to remember what that is. Since arriving she'd been doing research at night into Vulcan culture.

"Isn't that some sort of coming of age test Vulcan Children have to do?" she asked, wanting to make sure she had her information correct. He appeared impressed as he nodded. Without speaking he went to the cliff. She went to stand at his side before she moves to ascend the Rock.

She gets barely a foot away from the ground and she slips, falling. Spock catches her before she can fall to her ass.

"Try this," he states before moving beside her. There he shows her exactly how to climb. She's not surprised by the feeling of pain in her hands as she climbs up. She moves up the wall of rock, Spock remaining at her side.

Nearing the top she suddenly feels her grasp slip. She doesn't yell though she knows by all rights she should have yelled. She should have bloody well screamed out in fear. She doesn't and she doesn't know why.

Then she feels a hand grab her wrist as she goes to fall. Instinctively her hand also wraps around his cooler wrist. Then she slams into the wall, jagged rocks cutting into her leg.

"Shit," she mutters before gripping the wall. Once Spock is sure she has a grip on the wall he releases her.

"I suggest we make our way down the cliff, and not attempt to go this high again until we are sure you have plenty of experience," he states and she nods.

"Sounds good," she stated going to move her leg down only to hiss in pain. He had moved down some but stops. "Damn. When I get down there I'm going to sit because I think I've done some real damage this time."

"Do you need assistance?" he questioned. She shakes her head before climbing down the wall at a slower pace. Her pride kept her from admitting she really did need help. It felt like forever and by the time she got down every muscle felt like it was screaming. "You are bleeding."

"No dip Sherlock," she responded and he stared at her obviously a little confused. "Sorry. Reflex."

He didn't speak before assessing her wounds tactically which was very unnerving for her. "You will be fine after some rest and a hypo for the pain."

"No," she said automatically. "I'm allergic to nearly every form of painkiller. It could cause anaphylaxis and then death. I'll deal with the pain. It's not an uncommon occurrence for me. Besides, thankfully I'm only allergic to medical drugs and not actual ingestible objects."

"Well, let me help you," he stated while wrapping her arm around his shoulder, then assisting her in limping to the Academy. A few Vulcans pass them and stare but she can't deal with that. Maybe it's the red blood, or a human touching a Vulcan. She tries to steel her face against her inner turmoil. She thinks she succeeds.

Once inside they get to her room which is right near the door they entered. He grabs a wrap and manages to get her leg bandaged. Once it was no longer bleeding she insisted they head off to the cafeteria for dinner. She tells him she needs to eat after losing blood.

In the cafeteria he makes her eat soup stating it will help replenish her internal fluids as having been injured they are depleted. She didn't know if that was completely true but doesn't argue. Besides, it's really good and she notices that it's one of his favorite, despite the fact all the other Vulcans complain that it is illogical to eat a breakfast meal so late in the day.

From there they talk and they each ask questions which get answered. She learns a lot about him, including the fact his childhood had been very unhappy though he didn't consider that an adequate description.

She still ended up learning a lot about him and the prejudices of this 'advanced' society which she hadn't suspected. It explained a lot though, in her opinion.

As he walked her back to her quarters, which she insisted wasn't necessary but he did anyways, they were stopped by the jackass who'd tried to get in her pants on the ride there.

"Well isn't this quaint. The girl who was too good for everyone is putting out for the Vulcan," he states and she feels Spock tense beside her. She touches him lightly while moving a step forward, hiding her limp.

"First off, I wouldn't put out to you as you phrased it because you're nothing but a creep. Secondly, who I sleep with is none of your damned business. Now, get lost little boy," she put it before heading off towards the exit.

She then feels a hand on her shoulder tightly and turns to see the asshole gripping her.

"Oh, no you don't," he tells her but Spock steps in. He grabs the bullies hand and removes it from her arm which will definitely bruise. He doesn't say a word as he squeezes the guy's arm then tosses it aside a little rougher than necessary. "Don't touch me, Vulcan."

"You should learn some manners," Spock tells the other man before escorting her to her room. She is fuming though trying to hold back her emotions. He seems to understand her emotions because he turns to look at her just ten feet from her door. "What was he insinuating. I did not understand all of those human phrases."

"He claimed I was having a… sexual relationship with you," she states with a blush. She saw his own cheeks and the tips of his ears turn slightly green from a blush. "Sorry about earlier."

"No need for you to feel Sorry," he tells her and she blushes After that they awkwardly say their goodbyes and she enters her quarters, hearing his retreating steps in the hallway. Once the door is closed she leans against it, trying to control her raging emotions and hormones.

~CROSS CULTURE~

Spock kept trying to clear his mind, trying to meditate his emotions away. But his mind would not slow down, he could not concentrate.

After an hour of unsuccessful meditation he stood up. Then he went down the stairs to the sitting room where his mother was still sitting.

"You want to talk about it?" his mother asked without looking up from her book.

"A human male insinuated that Tabitha Kirk and I were in… a sexual relationship. It also sounded like he has tried to proposition her in the past. My emotions… are strong when it comes to this subject," he tells his mother who looks at him with a smile.

"What are they?" his mother asked and he hesitated.

"I feel Anger that they would treat her so coldly. I feel sadness that there are no humans here that will accept her. I also feel… joy at the fact she did not correct their assumption that we are a couple. And I also feel… I am not sure what this emotion is. The idea that another would assume they are good enough for Tibby… that they have the right to…" he said, his hands fisting.

"Jealousy," she stated and he stopped, looking up at her. "That feeling is Jealousy."

"What do I do about it?" he asked, imploring his mother to give him the answer. She smiled and he saw sadness on her face.

"Either you ignore that feeling or you tell her and risk your friendship," she told him and he nodded. "It's a reoccurring emotion that even your father feels. It makes people, especially male Vulcans in my experience, territorial. Just make sure you keep control so you don't accidentally hurt her or any other males that go near her."

"Thank you mother," he stated standing. "I think, now that I can identify the emotions I'll be able to repress them better."

"No problem Spock," she said with a smile. Then he headed up the stairs.