Sorry the chapters are a bit short but I am trying to cut them at a place where tension is created. Definitely more Spock and Olivia to come. I am trying to form bonds all around. ^_^ Bonding freak! lol

Three Years Later…

Kirk made his way out of the school and headed across the wide lawn towards the teacher's center. He knew she would be there because when they took breaks, she would always head there. Students were sitting on the grass taking a break from all the school work. Following him was Dr. "Bones" McCoy, hot on his heels. They were friends since they both came to Starfleet together.

"Jim, you can't take this test again! It's meant to be taken only once! You're seriously going to try it a third time?!" he yelled trying to keep up with the fast walking cadet.

"Third times a charm!" Kirk cheered.

"It's an impossible test to pass! It's not meant to be passed! I'm telling you Jim she's not going to give you permission to take that test again! They laughed at her when she gave you permission the second time! You asking again will make her the laughing stock of the whole Academy!" Bones yelled at his friend.

"She doesn't care what people think, she's not like that," Kirk said becoming serious.

Bones sighed.

"And how do you know that?" he asked.

Kirk smirked.

"Because she's been my teacher for three straight years and in those years I've gotten to know her really well. She's taught me almost everything I know since I came here with nothing but my charming wit," he said smiling wide.

Bones groaned.

"I still say she's going to kill you, and you're going to ask in the teacher's center?! Every professor is going to be there."

Kirk rubbed the back of his neck and stopped walking.

"Bones…she believes in me. She actually believes in me. Her and Pike are the only ones that think I can do this whole making captain thing. So I have to try again…for them…" he said and started walking.

Bones followed and did not make another comment.

Olivia was enjoying her free time. Cadet Kirk didn't let her have much. He was resilient, she knew. He always wanted to skip breaks, even lunch sometimes to keep working, keep training. She did not expect him to want this so bad when she first met him. He surprised her. A hand on her shoulder brought her out of her thoughts. She looked across from her to see Spock leaning over, his hand gently resting on her shoulder.

"Are you alright, Olivia?" he asked quietly, removing his hand.

Olivia blinked.

"Yes…I'm sorry I was just thinking…" she murmured.

Spock nodded.

"What were you thinking about?" he asked curiously.

Olivia smiled and was about to speak when a Cadet came into the room. Olivia saw Spock's eyes shoot up towards the young girl.

"Cadet Uhura…what brings you here?" he asked quickly.

Olivia saw the way the Cadet looked at him and her smile faded. She was quite beautiful. She knew the Cadet for Spock had spoken about her many times before and had made them meet on several occasions. Cadet Uhura excelled at communications like Olivia. He was quite fond of her, Olivia knew.

"Professor Monroe, Cadet Kirk wants to see you. He says it's urgent. Should I let him in?" she asked politely.

Olivia could tell that Uhura was annoyed at Kirk. Did they know each other? Olivia stood up and Spock did the same. Uhura's eyes shifted to Spock.

"This is the third time he's interrupted you on a break Olivia…he always asks for the same thing every year…to take the kobayashi maru test. He does understand the reason for that test, does he not?" Spock asked calmly but she could tell he was slightly irritated.

Olivia sighed.

"He's extremely resilient and he doesn't give up easily. I will speak with him," she stated, heading towards the door.

She noticed that Spock and Uhura followed her out, side by side.

"There you are Professor Monroe, we need to talk!" Kirk yelled from a distance with Bones.

Olivia raised an eyebrow and headed towards them. They met halfway. Spock kept his distance, still standing on the steps of the teacher's center with Uhura. He could hear everything.

"What is it cadet? And please do not ask what I think you're going to ask because the answer is no," she stated firmly.

Kirk gave her his signature smile.

"Oh come on professor you never call me cadet unless you're trying to be serious. You call me what you call me all the time for the past three years. And let me explain why I want to take this test again…" he trailed off as she turned to walk away.

"I will not hear it. You've taken it twice already. Understand the reason for the test and move on," she said, and began to walk towards the teaching center.

She saw Spock waiting for her with Uhura. Maybe she'd go somewhere else. She heard Kirk continue to call her official name and then heard something different.

"Olivia!" he yelled and she stopped walking.

Spock raised an eyebrow and Uhura's mouth opened slightly in shock. A cadet was calling out a professor by their first name. Olivia sighed and bit her lip. She turned slightly. Kirk walked up to her. He was serious in his steps towards her. Bones followed, a little shocked by how he got her attention. Kirk stopped on the side of her and looked at her. She did not look back at him like usual but straight ahead staring at nothing in particular.

"The test is not meant to pass James…no matter how many times you take it. It will always have the same outcome…you will fail. It does not reflect on your way as a Captain. Please…I was wrong to give you permission for the second time and get your hopes up…but a third? I'd be run out of Starfleet. My respect would be compromised. Please reconsider…" she stopped and tensed as Kirk grabbed her face in his hands.

Spock moved down a step seeing this but Uhura stopped him.

"Maybe we should hear him out…" she said.

Spock stopped proceeding down the steps. Olivia stared at the cadet she trained for three years.

"You've believed in me all this time…even when I've failed miserably… and that has happened more then once. You made me into a decent person, a person that could be respected one day. I owe this to you. Let me take this test again. One more time. I can do it I know it," he said never looking away, still holding her cheeks.

Olivia reached up and pulled his hands away slowly still looking at him.

"You have got to be the most persistent person I have ever known…fine…you have my permission to continue to torture yourself with the kobayashi maru test for the third time," she stated quickly.

Kirk's eyes lit up and he hugged her tightly picking her up off the floor.

"I won't let you down!" he exclaimed and took off towards the testing center.

Bones stared at Professor Monroe as she watched Kirk fly passed the students towards the center practically skipping.

"You a glutton for punishment?" he asked her and Olivia laughed.

"I don't know…I cannot seem to say 'no' to him. He's so determined and hopeful…perhaps it rubs off…" she said and looked at Bones.

"I want you there with him, okay?" she said and Bones nodded running off to the testing center.

Spock and Uhura walked up to her.

"What are you doing? Giving him permission to take that test again is unwise Olivia. I stuck by your decision the second time…but a third?" he asked and Olivia looked at him.

"I don't need you to stand by me this time Spock, if you choose…Cadet Kirk is a diligent, determined student…I believe in him and his skills…as you believe in your students…" she said and headed off towards the testing center.

Spock and Uhura followed. Uhura would be on the kobayashi maru test too, Olivia knew. She also knew Spock would be watching. When the lights flickered Olivia thought it was over. When they came back on and she heard Kirk give the order, she couldn't suppress her shock. He passed. Of course there was a glitch in the system when the lights went off, but he did complete the test. She could tell Spock was not happy about this. She was going to say something when Captain Pike spoke up.

"How the hell did he pass your test?" he asked incredulously.

Spock shook his head.

"I don't know."

They were in court. Spock figured Kirk cheated and therefore should be expelled from Starfleet. Kirk did not understand. Spock explained that the test was to inflict fear into the Captain. It was not meant to pass. It was only when Spock brought up Kirk's father that Olivia stood up. All eyes went to her immediately, including that of her best friend Spock. He seemed to be confused as to why she was standing. She made her way down to the podiums and stepped to Kirk's side.

"Council if I may, I would like to say something," she said and they nodded.

She could feel Spock's eyes drilling a hole in the side of her head. She would never go against him unless there was a good reason. She felt this was.

"I feel as though speaking of Cadet Kirk's father has nothing to do with this matter and is a sorry excuse for a Commander that has no case. His son is just as honorable as he was and I can say that because I have taught him for three years straight. I know how he works and how he thinks. I think it is remarkable how he found a way around that ridiculous test. It is supposed to inflict fear however Cadet Kirk found a way around it…turned the fear into something productive…a glitch that saved his crew's life. That's skill, not cheating," she said firmly.

Kirk's mouth dropped a little but Bones made him close it. Bones was in shock too.

"Commander Monroe, why are you defending this Cadet? He has clearly humiliated you…" he was cut off.

"How can you ask me that Commander Spock? He is my one and only pupil. There is no way I am going to let him be expelled for doing his best. He did not humiliate me, this meeting is humiliating. You doubt my abilities as a teacher and by accusing my pupil of cheating, doubt my moral and principles!" she finished sternly.

Spock had never seen her like this except when she defended him against those bullies many years ago. What exactly did Cadet Kirk mean to her? He was about to speak when the council spoke up.

"Alright, that is enough…the code of conduct rule book states that he has in fact cheated, Commander Spock is correct on that matter, but, we will not expel him on account of the strong case you make Commander Monroe. Cadet Kirk you will be sentenced to an indefinite suspension until--" the council trailed off as a Cadet ran down the steps and up to Commander Monroe.

It was an alien life form and spoke to her in a different language in her ear. Olivia's eyes widened and Spock moved closer to her. She looked up at him quickly, her eyes not angry anymore but worried.

"What is it Olivia?" he asked softly.

"The planet Vulcan has sent us a distress signal…" she finished and turned quickly to Dr. Bones McCoy. She whispered something in his ear, he nodded quickly, and she took off with Spock not far behind. Everyone cleared out.

Don't be worried about Kirk and Olivia's relationship. I know where I'm going with everything and everyone! More of everyone to come soon. ^_~