Disclaimer: Not mine. Read first chapter for full disclaimer.

Chapter 4: 2+2=5

The alarm clock began buzzing at 7:00AM. Lena groaned and rolled over. "Computer, piss off!" she yelled.

"Unable to comply" was the computer's response.

"Oh for fuck's sake. Computer, alarm off."

"Acknowledged".

Lena threw her blanket off, sat up and began to stretch; thankful again that she now had a room to herself. It was her third year at the Academy. She had excelled so far. She decided to focus in xenopsychology and xenolinguistics, knowing that having the knowledge of many languages would be useful in understanding the psychological aspects of a species. Lena was fascinated by psychology. She had a powerful drive to learn about the motives of all races, particularly where violence was concerned. Lena hoped to get her PhD at the Academy and write a thesis about the motives of violent people.

Rolling out of bed, she brushed her long hair and pulled it into a neat ponytail. Lena studied herself in the mirror; gone was the awkward little girl covered in dirt. She had grown into a mature, beautiful woman. She pulled the cadet uniform over her 5'8 frame and then began to put on her black Starfleet issue boots. Lena was constantly getting compliments from others about her long lean legs and how those boots made them even sexier. Lena couldn't have cared less. Grabbing her bag and PADDs, she left for class.

While Lena loved learning, she was particularly excited about her first class today. Vulcan History and Culture taught by Professor Spock. Lena had taken multiple classes on Vulcan language but had yet to take a class with him. She had heard many rumors about him; some said that he was uncharacteristically rude and void of any emotion, female cadets spoke of how "drop dead sexy" he is.

The Vulcan race intrigued Lena immensely.

If they pride themselves on their logic, can you imagine how intense their repressed emotions must be? she thought.

Walking into the auditorium, Lena realized she was the first one there. Looking up at the clock, she saw that there was still 15 minutes until class began.

Well, I suppose I could use this time to meditate. That would appease Dr. Singh.

Her first year at the Academy, Lena began meeting regularly with one of her psychology professors, Dr. Myra Singh. Dr. Singh instantly sensed the trauma that Lena had endured and encouraged her to engage in weekly therapy sessions with her. Lena was reluctant but ended up doing remarkably well. Her self-esteem began to grow and Dr. Singh had taught her to meditate in order to calm her overactive startle response. Until very recently, if Lena became startled she would immediately be on the defense, ready to fight.

Sitting cross-legged in her seat she began. I am calm. I am at peace with myself and with those around me. Slowly, she descended into a rhythmic deep breathing.

As soon as he walked into the classroom, Spock was aware of another presence in the room. He scanned the seats and finally his eyes focused on a young woman sitting near the left side of the room, cross-legged with her hands on her knees.

Curious. She appears to be engaged in a form of meditation, he thought.

Spock walked to the podium and began taking PADDs out of his bag. When he looked up at the woman again he saw that her eyes were now open and that she her eyes were focused on him.

"Good morning Cadet…" he began.

"Price, sir. Lena Price. 3rd year cadet." She finished for him. Then speaking in perfect Vulcan she said, "I suppose you must be Professor Spock."

While Spock's face betrayed no sign of surprise, Lena could see the flash of curiosity in his eyes. She prided herself on being able to read subtle changes in a person.

"Your Vulcan is exceptional. May I inquire as to how you have learned to speak the language?" he asked.

Still speaking in Vulcan, Lena answered. "My focus is in xenopsychology and xenolinguistics. I find it logical to understand the languages of other species so that I may adequately study the psychological aspects of their culture."

"Indeed. May I inquire as to what you have assessed in studying Vulcan psychology?" Spock found this human woman quite intriguing and noticed that she had just a hint of a British accent.

Lena paused before answering. "Your race prides itself on logic and therefore suppresses and represses emotion. However, I believe that emotion is the underlying factor on almost all decisions that Vulcans make."

Spock's brow furrowed minutely. "I do not understand your answer. Vulcans base their decisions solely upon what they find the most logical choice to be."

Lena smiled. "Perhaps, but your emotions are brimming underneath surface at all times. As children you were taught not to base your decisions on how you felt but on what is logical. However, your emotions are ever present. It is in your nature to feel an emotion before your brain can focus on what is logical. Therefore I must conclude that while you base your decisions on logic, you have an emotional response that always comes first. Whether you acknowledge it or suppress it is up to you."

Spock felt his head lean to the left 2 degrees and suddenly felt very disconcerted by what this woman was saying. She was obviously well versed in the connection between Vulcan emotion and logic.

The door to the classroom opened and students began filing in. Spock looked to the clock and realized that he was due to begin class within the next 45 seconds.

Turning to Lena, he spoke. "Thank you Cadet Price. Your hypothesis is stimulating."

Turning to the class he began. "Welcome to Vulcan History & Culture. I am Professor Spock. You are expected to attend every scheduled class and be promptly on time."

He continued to outline the course but Lena did not hear a word he said. Inside she was fuming.

Hypothesis? Cheeky bugger. What hypothesis? It's a fact.

She began to study Spock. Upon first glance he was definitely striking, well above 6 feet tall. While he wasn't physically muscular she had a feeling that underneath that uniform he had the power to crush a person. Then she noticed the delicate features of his face. She noticed how his long eyelashes swept against his cheek every few seconds, the way his eyebrows stayed perfectly still while he was speaking.

The ears are sexy for sure, she thought. Lena! Where did that come from? Focus. He's your professor. And he just spit in the face of your research.

She found his voice to be quite relaxing but for the remainder of the class all she could focus on was how insulted she felt at him calling her findings a hypothesis.

When class was over she was the first one out of her seat walking outside to her next class. To her surprise she found it pouring down rain when she stepped outside. Smiling to herself she stepped out into it and began twirling. Rain always reminded her of her mother. Dr. Singh had taught her to focus on the positive memories of England and her mother. The rain was the most positive and constant memory Lena had.

Spock stepped outside and immediately reached for his umbrella. He detested the rain. Too cold. He opened the umbrella and saw Cadet Price turning in clockwise circles with the rain falling on her and laughing.

Spock's first thought was how illogical it was to be standing out in the rain without cover. Surely she would get all of her clothes wet and possibly contract some sort of virus. He found himself unable to take his eyes off of her. He noticed the way her hair began to cling to her face and her boots became muddied. But it was her eyes that caused him to stare. Her emerald green eyes were sparkling with delight as if she were a small child. He watched her stop spinning and then walked with a bounce in her step to the next building.

"Fascinating" he murmured.