Chapt. 3 Making Conversation
I don't own Star Trek, or anything associated with it.
At 0700 hrs, Commander Spock walked across the already sunny quad to the Admiral Trav Snyder Language and Linguistics Building. Passing the Student Activities Building, he heard the familiar sound of Cadet Uhura calling him. "Commander Spock!", "Commander Spock!". Stopping, he turned around to see her hurriedly making her way towards him. In her hands was a carry tray, containing two lidded cups of fragrant hot tea. Seeing her, he had difficulty controlling the small smile that threatened to spread across his bow-shaped lips.
As she caught up to where the Commander stood waiting for her, he turned to continue his walk towards the Language Building. "Good Morning, Cadet Uhura", he said, "Permit me to carry something for you?"
"No thank you Commander, I can carry it. I wanted to surprise you with a cup of tea, this morning. I did not want to drink tea alone". She said as she hastily scurried along at his heels. Commander Spock had long legs and took such lengthy strides that Cadet Uhura had to speed-walk to keep up with him.
"On the contrary Cadet, If you are referring to the tea you drink in the classroom, at 0730 hrs., each Tuesday and Thursday morning, I assure you that you do not drink tea alone, as I am in the classroom with you".
"Commander, are you joking with me?"
"No Cadet, I do not joke. I am merely correcting you by calling your attention to the fact that I am present in the classroom when you arrive with your herbal tea, so you are not alone."
"Yes Sir, I stand corrected. But, this morning, I wanted you to enjoy a cup of tea as well."
"Thank you, Cadet. That is very thoughtful of you, but not necessary."
"Commander Spock, it would make me happy if you would accept the tea I brought you and drink it."
"If it will make you happy, I will drink the tea!"
"It will, Commander." With that the Cadet turned her head and smiled. She was amused.
She did not see the Commander's raised eyebrow, as he wondered why she was making such an offer to him.
Having no knowledge of what he was thinking, Cadet Uhura responded, "It was just a friendly gesture Sir. I have no ulterior motive."
Once inside the Language building, no further words passed between them until they arrived at the classroom.
Commander Spock, keyed his secure code into the keypad, opened the door, stepped across the threshold, and reached over to switch on the lights.
The Cadet walked to the table where she usually sat, putting down all that she was carrying. She then took the cup of tea she had purchased for the Commander and placed it on his desk. He had already removed a PADD from his briefcase and was writing discussion notes on the board at the front of the class. "Thank you, Cadet", he said turning towards her, slightly more humbled by her kind gesture.
She then turned to walk back to her desk, as she passed him her shower-fresh and cologne fragrance along with the distinct fragrance of the Bergamot in the Earl Grey Breakfast Tea wafted to his sensitive nostrils. Commander Spock took a deep, silent, inhalation of the wonderful enticing scents, and slowly exhaled.
Turning further, he reached for the steaming cup of tea to take a sip, the fragrance of her light cologne lingered on his cup. He looked over the rim at the Cadet, who now sat with her eyes closed, slumped slightly in her chair, her long, shapely legs outstretched, crossed at the ankles, both hands clasped around her cup of tea, looking beautifully relaxed with a slight smile gracing her lovely lips. A look of satisfaction, the Commander thought. It was a look he hoped to see on her face every morning for the rest of her life.
"You appear to be quite content, Cadet".
"Oh, I am, Sir. This is one of my most relaxing times during the course of the week. I'm not sure why, but, I truly enjoy just sitting here in this room as you prepare for class."
"I am happy to hear that you are not uncomfortable sitting in a room in my presence, Cadet. I am here to serve". "I also wish to return your gesture of kindness by asking you to join me for lunch one day before the semester ends". Commander Spock had not intended to ask the Cadet for a date in such a setting or so abruptly but, he was starting to lose his cool and blurted out his wish before he rethought it. "I trust my asking meets with your approval", he added. He could hold his own against an angry Le-Matya, but he tended to lose confidence in the presence of this small woman.
Cadet Uhura could not believe her ears, she opened her eyes, slightly stunned. Slowly she said, "Of course, I would be delighted to have lunch with you, Commander Spock."
"Perhaps we can discuss your future plans, with Starfleet", he added, hoping that he sounded more like a professor than someone who had designs on her future. He did not want to frighten her off.
"I would like that, Sir."
"Perhaps, this Friday, at 1230 hrs? We can eat either on or off campus, which would you prefer, Cadet?"
"I would prefer off campus, Sir."
"Indeed, Cadet Uhura, then we shall have lunch off campus."
Not wanting their conversation to fall into silence, he queried, "Cadet, do you like Middle Eastern Terran food?"
"Commander, Yes, I do like Middle Eastern food."
"Have you ever eaten at The Fez Marrakesh?"
"No Commander, I have never had the pleasure".
"Then Cadet, I suggest that you wear something more modest than your Academy uniform. The Fez Marrakesh provides seating for its customers on floor pillows. I would not want you to be uncomfortable."
"Oh. oooOOH!", she responded, slowly realizing what he meant by her uniform.
"Would you still like to dine there, or would you prefer a different place?"
"The Fez is fine", she smile, slightly embarrassed.
"Cadet. You are permitted to call me Spock when we are not in the presence of others".
"Thank you, Sir, and you may call me Nyota."
"Nyota", he said quietly, "star", turning back to the board, he blinked his eyes slowly and said, "fascinating".
"Sir?"
Before he could respond, the classroom door opened and several students made their way into the room noisily taking their seats disrupting the solitude of the room. A few other students immediately followed and the classroom quickly began to fill.
Cadet Uhura attentively sat through the Commander's lecture, she was not under the pressure that most of the students were under to get last minute work completed. She had already studied ahead and had even submitted her Dissertation.
She had been assured by her Committee Supervisor that the work was exemplary and she should have no problem at all meeting the high standards of all the other Committee Members.
She had already taken the oral examination and passed with flying colors. Now she was merely awaiting approval of her written portion. The hardest part of her studies and life at Starfleet Academy was over. She felt that the real adventure of her life was about to begin. It was an exciting time to be in Starfleet.
The only thing left for her to achieve was a key position on the Constitution Class starship, The USS Enterprise, under the command of Captain Christopher Pike. It would begin its first five-year mission in just a few months.
Getting an assignment on the Enterprise would mean that she will have accomplished everything she had worked for all of her life. It was a life's-dream-come-true. Cadet Uhura was convinced that serving on this ship was a part of her purpose in life. She also felt that Commander Spock had an important role to play in her life that would not end when she graduated from the Academy. She was definitely excited about what might happen next.
