A/N: I apologize for the delay. It has been a very long time since I've updated this story. I haven't forgotten about it but I did start to loose interest and my mind started to get really busy with school and work. But now ideas came into my mind and I decided to go ahead with this story again. Please let me know what you guys think!

Chapter Four

"Perhaps I should run naked around your quarters."

I lapsed into silence and waited for Spock to understand the provacative statement. His head lifted, his heated gaze met mine. He tilted his head, his left eye twitched ever so slightly. I smiled.

"I beg your pardon?"

I laughed. "I was just checking to see if you were paying attention to me."

A slight frown descended over his features before he blinked once. Twice. I continued to water the plant, my fingers trailing over one of its bright red petals.

"You don't have to make polite conversation with me," I continued when he stayed silent.

"I apologize if my lack of interest caused you offence."

"Not at all. You looked kinda funny actually. Like you were solving mathematical problems or something in your head. "

He paused.

I narrowed my eyes playfully, scrunching my noise. "You were!"

"I was using linear algebra in contemplation of an algorithmic issue in a computer program I am currently working on. It is essential for me to complete it."

"Oh, yes, of course. Don't mind me," I said, setting my potted plant to the side where the sunlight will stream over it. With a fleeting wink, I undid the tie of my robe as it trailed and fluttered around my feet. I walked to his bedroom and I did not need to turn around to know he was following me.

.

.

There was something to this morning that felt so intimate that I was reluctant to break the silence.

He was awake, his eyes half-lidded and watching me warily as my hand caressed his back idly, passing back and forth in the shadowed hollows of his spine. We shared the same pillow, my blonde hair spread across the white pillowcase, clashing with his dark hair. We shared the same breath and it was as close as I could ever hope to get to him.

My hand stilled.

.

.

The late afternoon sunlight did little to warm me as I walked from the golden Gate Park transporter pad toward Aroretum. Walking through the park, I saw a handful of Starfleet cadets - alone and in pairs. Their distant laughter and chatter outweighed and drifted around the cool breeze that swirled around me.

My eyes instantly seek for him. I was slightly overwhelmed with my nerves, not entirely certain if he would accept my company so openly. Our interactions had been limited to his apartment. We had not ventured further - he had remained quiet of the ordeal and I did not question it. But now, now . . .

My eyes finally found him. He sat on a curved wooden bench, his back to me. He sat straight, his back rigid, his shoulders tense. He had donned a heavy silk jacket. His eyes swept over people walking passed him, casually dismissing them, until his eyes found me.

Where he sat was deserted. I made my way toward him, my eyes swiftly drifted around my surroundings before resting on him again. I slowly sat next to him, my eyes trained straight ahead. I saw a few curious glances from the cadets and other instructors cast toward us, but when we remained silent, not acknowledging one another's presence, they turned away - disinterested.

I took a deep breath and waited for him to make the decision for us. When I saw him from the corner of my eye, his head tilting toward me, I smiled. He was not going to ignore me. "I often come here. I find the gardens aesthetically pleasing."

"I know, I've seen you," I commented, turning toward him.

"You have? Why did you not approach me?" There's something in his voice I'm not certain I can identify. There's unmasked confusion in his eyes, a slight frown descending over his features.

"I didn't want to intrude on your privacy." I had seen him, countless of times passing through the park or even at times seeing him outside the Academy Plaza. On rare occasions, he was accompanied by his fellow companions and others - he was alone. But I was not certain if I would have been welcomed. I was, after all, the other woman.

"I assure you, I would not consider it an intrusion." There's almost a warmth behind his voice, a slight edge to it that he has only used during intimate moments between us. I grazed my fingers over my lips, swallowing the turmoil that was building inside me. My eyes are dried, but I know if it had not been for the constant breeze drifting around us, my eyes would have watered at his declaration.

"Good to hear," I responded breathlessly. I restrained myself in reaching for him, instead, I curled my fingers against my thigh. "Perhaps you could accompany me to my destination. I followed your advised and applied for the position as an assistant for Mr. Sandoval. Instead of being surrounded by drunken fools, I'll be surrounded by countless of plants."

And that's when it all started.

The corner of his lip tugged upward ever so slightly. An abstruse movement that no one else could have understood. He gave me something, something that I knew was my downfall.

He smiled.