Thanks for all of the reviews! I'll be posting two chapters a day from here on out. I apologize for the fact that the chapters in this story are shorter than my usual work – it just flows better for me that way.

I really like Gaila. I have decided that she survived the Battle of Vulcan by escaping on a shuttle. That thought makes me happy.

Disclaimers and warnings in Part One.

~Part Seven of Fifteen: By the Book~

I refused to attend classes the next day. I canceled my Invitational prep with Spock, sending him a message when I knew he would be teaching; I made Gaila bring me food; I refused to accept any messages.

I cowered.

The morning of the day after The Day After the Kiss, Gaila pulled back my covers, sat on the edge of my bed and said, "I know you're upset but you need to get up and get out of here.

"You know you're not getting kicked out or court-martialed, Ny; if any of those things were going to happen they would've by now. You're just being a wing-slug, and you know it.

"You're going to need to see him eventually – you leave for Oxford the day after tomorrow."

I groaned and tried to wrest the covers back from her.

"So you kissed the Commander, neither of you exploded or anything; although, considering how horny you both must be…."

That did it. I sat up and got out of bed. "See, I'm up. We can stop talking about this."

She stood, put her hands on her hips and stared at me, "You better not go back to bed after I leave, either. If I find out you avoided this for a second day, I'm going to rig the Kobayashi Maru simulation to say 'Nyota kissed Spock' every time a Bird of Prey fires."

"You really would, wouldn't you?" I sighed. Her computer skills were the only thing more advanced then her talent in the bedroom.

"Just try me." She left, her red hair crackling with sparks in the dim light.

I got dressed and went to Advanced Warp Technologies. I only thought about kissing Spock twelve times. I only remembered how his finger felt as it brushed mine six times. I only pictured his face seventeen times.

It was a restrained hour.

As I headed out of the lecture hall, Boris came bounding up to me.

"Are you feeling better, Nyota? Are you ready? I'm so excited!"

"I'm ready," I said dully.

"C'mon where's the excitement? The Invitational only comes around every five years. We'll never get to compete in another one! You're our team captain – you need to be encouraging us! This calls for a little enthusiasm, please!"

"Yay," I said, not even bothering to fake it.

"Good morning, Cadet Briggs, Cadet Uhura." A familiar voice washed over me.

What's he doing here? He doesn't teach in this building. I'm not ready to see him yet!

I dropped my head and looked at him through lowered lashes; he was as composed, calm, poised, and perfect as usual.

He didn't bother to make eye contact with me, he was looking at Boris.

"Commander!" Boris said, bouncing on his toes, "I am so ready to get to Oxford and destroy MIT and Kyoto! They're the only ones with any hope of beating us and we are going to demolish them. Starfleet is coming back with the trophy! I can't wait!"

Spock blinked slowly, looking at the live wire in human form in front of him as if he was trying to classify him into a new species. "It should be an interesting competition," he said evenly.

"Interesting for us but disastrous for our competitors. Starfleet Academy - WOOOOO! Say it with me," he said, pushing at my arm.

"Wooo," I muttered while he yelled again. I stared at my feet and wished a transporter would pick me up and take me anywhere that wasn't where I was.

"Cadet Briggs, Introduction to Advanced Combat Techniques begins in five minutes," Spock prompted.

"Oh blast! I better get going. If I'm late they'll use me as the punching bag. See ya, Uhura. Commander," he went careening down the hall.

I took a deep breath and looked at Spock, prepared for just about anything. His face was as expressionless as ever, but his head was leaning towards me and he caught my eyes as soon as I raised them. "I trust that you are recovered from your illness."

"I'm feeling much better, thank you."

Except for the fact that my fingers bought a self-help book, I kissed a teacher, have an incredibly pushy roommate, and am leading a group of somewhat socially inept Cadets in an once-in-a-lifetime competition in two days.

Oh, and I am miserably in love with you.

"We leave for Oxford the day after tomorrow, Cadet." he said, straightening and moving a half step backwards. "You and the team have put a great deal of effort into your preparation for the competition; I am anticipating an exemplary performance by the Academy."

Hope flared in my chest and I was finally able to look him in the face. Maybe he was going to pretend nothing had happened.

"To the incident during our last preparation session," he continued.

Or maybe he was going to talk about it at 1000 hours in a hallway.

"Yes, Commander," I said

Here it comes.

I braced myself for impact.

"It is my opinion that that our intensive preparation led to the momentary relaxation of certain boundaries. Do you agree?"

I waited for a moment for him to continue, but it seemed as if he were finished speaking.

"And?" I prompted, blinking rapidly, my heart pounding.

He tilted his head at me, "We need only agree on that fact, Cadet."

"Okay, Commander. I agree."

"Excellent. I believe we have addressed the matter fully; I will see you tomorrow at 1600 hours for our final review session."

If I don't have a heart attack first, Commander Spock.

"Of course, Commander, 1600 hours."

He looked at me a moment longer, then he began to walk away; as he moved past me I could feel his hand brush gently against mine.