4. Arrival

Authors Note: There will be a few time skips here and some more introspective looks into what Spock is really thinking and *gasp* feeling, because being Vulcan isn't the absence of emotion more the mastery of it. As stated before in the notes this is not Spock's first time on earth though it will be her first time in London. I may have her switch locations eventually. It's been a while since I saw the movies but I do remember that headquarters is in London. I own nothing.

Two days later Spock was standing in the hanger bay with most of the rest of the science department. Dr. Prohaska stood next to her talking to one of the ensigns about requisition forms. Spock was slightly uncomfortable but she never let it show. It was mostly because Dr. Boyce had insisted on ensuring she was bundled up in a large coat, science blue, with matching gloves and hat. Several other members of the crew had received the same treatment from the good doctor, all non human if mostly humanoid. Spock understood the need for this. Vulcan was a desert planet it did not truly have winter like Earth did. She had visited Earth only twice before in her life and both times had been with her mother in the much warmer months of the year. She hadn't seen much of the planet while there, really only the Star Fleet base in San Francisco. She had never been to London before.

"So are you excited about the trip Miss Spock?" Spock raised an eyebrow at Dr. Prohaska who had turned from the ensign to grin a bit teasingly at his protégé. Since the incident in the lab Dr. Prohaska had taken a deep interest in the young Vulcan, having her read through all his notes and experiments while she was laid up in sick bay for nearly three hours, having his own personal Yeomen assist her as her hands were trapped under a dermal generator for the majority of that time. She had found sixteen more faults with his calculations or power to chemical ratios. He couldn't have been happier. Both he and Captain Pike had insisted on placing commendations in her file both for her actions during the really rather minor lab accident, and for her attention to detail that saved three other experiments from going critical. She really didn't feel they were strictly necessary but she was not about to argue with a superior officer about something so very human. Perhaps over time she would come to understand this behavior better.

"Excitement is a human emotion doctor. As you are aware I am Vulcan, we do not..." He grinned sheepishly and interrupted her.

"Subscribe to emotion the way humans do. I know. I'm sorry I was trying to make a joke. I can see how it could be taken in poor taste. I hope you don't take offence." Spock nodded.

"Of course not doctor. Perhaps someday we may work together again." Once the shuttle they were taking from the repair dock touched down on Earth Spock would be going her separate way from the crew of the Intrepid. The Captain and the rest of the main bridge crew entered the hanger bay and Dr. Prohaska smiled at them waving them over. The rest of the science department was almost all loaded onto the shuttle and Spock went to follow them when Captain Pike caught the sleeve of her jacket.

"Nope you get to come with us. Star Fleet brass wants me to personally make sure you make it where you're going." Spock nodded and followed the main bridge crew onto the last shuttle. They had been most accommodating to her for her short time aboard the ship. Number One and Dr. Prohaska had proved to be interesting to converse with and both challenging to play three dimetional chess against, though Spock had yet to lose a game. The captain had sparred with her a few times and treated her with quite a bit more respect than even her own father did. Dr. Boyce had been quite interested in her unique physiology. Though most of her traits were Vulcan her blood was slightly different, though green it did have traces of iron that normal Vulcan blood did not. This meant certain medications were off the table entirely for her as the doctor had been sure to note in her rapidly growing file.

Spock took the seat the Captain had gestured for her to use and was almost surprised when he sat down next to her. Her seat was directly beside the window and she couldn't help looking out as they took off out of the hanger bay of the Intrepid. Earth was large and mostly blue with large patches of green. Captain Pike smiled slightly.

"Never really gets old seeing planets like this, does it?" Spock tilted her head slightly raising an eyebrow showing the barest hint of confusion.

"I would not know Captain. The last time I saw a planet in the same way we are now observing Earth I was only six years old." Pike nodded. The fight went smoothly and soon they were disembarking. The weather was rather dismal in comparison to the near constant sunshine of Vulcan. It was also very cold, even through the material of the coat hat and gloves. Captain Pike noticed Spock's slight shiver and unwound his scarf tossing it around her shoulders. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Your species isn't suited for cold. I'm more used to it. No sense in you freezing on your first day on Earth as a member of Star Fleet." Spock thought for a moment then nodded.

"That does seem most logical Captain Pike." They were alone now as the others had all left for their own destinations. She wasn't sure what else to say but she decided to do something very un-Vulcan.

"Thank you captain. I appreciate what you have done for me these past few days." Pike looked confused.

"What do you mean?" Spock cleared her throat.

"It seems to me that you and your crew have gone out of your way to make me feel as though I am welcome here at Star Fleet. I am something of an anomaly on Vulcan, but perhaps I can belong here." Pike smiled softly, patting her on her shoulder.

"I know you will Miss Spock. I know you will." They stood in amiable silence as it began to snow. Soon the welcoming committee arrived to whisk Spock away and show her around. Several members of the admiralty had shown up. They really were aiming to impress and Pike felt a little sorry for the girl. She really was here to learn, not as a representative of her entire race in Star Fleet, though this did tend to be procedure when new species joined Star Fleet. She made to hand him back his scarf.

"No you keep it, you're gonna need it more than I do. Winter gets pretty bad around here. Consider it a welcome to Star Fleet gift." Spock nodded and held up her hand in the traditional Vulcan salute.

"Thank you Captain Pike. Live long and prosper." He smiled raising his own hand in the same salute.

"Peace and long life Miss Spock. We will see each other again, I have no doubt." With that she was swept away in a wave of welcoming Star Fleet brass all of whom were determined to make this girl want to stay at Star Fleet for the rest of her long life. He smiled slightly as he walked away looking up at the white flakes that blew around him.