I don't own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. This is a disclaimer, a simple technique for avoiding nasty lawsuits.

Techniques

Dr. Peng let out a sigh of frustration as he left his meeting with Admirals Barnett and Nogura. As a cadet, Spock had been one of his most promising students. He had also been an exceptional instructional aide, so Peng had put a lot of trust in the young Vulcan's abilities. Now he was wondering if that faith was misplaced.

It was late on a Friday afternoon, so Peng suspected that he would find Spock at O'Malley's Pub, hanging out with his mentor Captain Pike and a few other instructors. Spock was after all a creature of habit.

Sure enough, they were in the corner booth in full view of the front door. Peng secured his own booth and then after getting Spock's attention, motioned for the youngster to join him there. Spock took a seat and Peng ordered them each a Guiness.

"Spock, I've just come from a meeting with Admirals Barnett and Nogura. They're very concerned about the dropout rate for the Beginning Conversational Vulcan class, very concerned!"

Spock shifted a bit uncomfortably in his seat. Dr. Peng's meeting was clear. His position was in jeopardy. He had already been planning to meet with the man in order to discuss this very subject.

"I understand their concerns. I am beginning to have some misgivings about the class myself. Perhaps I am, I believe the expression is "in over my head." I am uncertain as to how to proceed."

"Well, admitting that there's a problem is the first step on the road to a solution. They've decided to give you a few weeks to turn things around. I reminded them that you have a very full work load. We're going to try a couple of things that might help you out."

"First of all, we'll hire you an instructional aide. I have a couple of good candidates in mind. I'd also like to have you sit in on a few classes being taught by a friend of mine, a retired Academy instructor who now volunteers at the Adult Education Center on Market Street. She has some truly marvelous teaching techniques. Do you have any plans for tomorrow morning?"

"I am free until noon."

"Excellent. Meet me at 1800 Market Street at 0900, casual dress. Now, get back to your relaxation, son. I've got to get home to Mrs. Peng."

"Thank you, Dr. Peng."

"You're most welcome."

Somewhat relieved, Spock returned to his seat beside Captain Pike. It was good to know that Dr. Peng was looking out for him.


Sirin was preparing to leave for the day when the call came in from Jack on Planeras III.

"Hey, old buddy! I need your help with something. One of our volunteers, a Vulcan, took a nasty fall and dislocated a shoulder. I've been preventing her from entering a healing trance until I could contact you. Is the technique for a closed reduction the same for a Vulcan as it is for a Human?"

"Yes, however you will want to give only minimal anesthesia, so that she may enter the trance as soon as possible after the procedure. Your patient will most likely remain in this state for 24 to 36 hours, and should have someone monitoring her at all times. She may need pain stimulus such as a blow to the face or a prick with a large needle to aid in her return to full consciousness."

"Thanks, that's very useful information. How's the family and my dog?"

"The family is fine. Rachel says that Jason is "growing like a weed." His vocabulary is increasing exponentially. Matt is doing quite well and they are enjoying each other's companionship. Is Lewis well?"

"Yeah, he's just mentally and physically exhausted. The young refugees from Drevin Prime have lived through some terrible times. It's hard to see little kids suffer."

"Do you still plan on being away for two or three years?"

"Yes, we're committed to see this through. Well, I need to fix this poor woman's shoulder. Give my love to the family. Jack out."


Rachel waited around for a few moments after her shift was over. Nordu was in the locker room changing into the outfit Melba had helped her pick out for her date with Cendrehu. The seamstress had delivered it just an hour previously.

At last Nordu emerged in a magenta dress which complemented her silver skin and teal hair. The seamstress had used gold satin to bind the edges of the wing slits, a most artistic technique.

"I have an appointment at Lee's Day Spa tomorrow morning to get my hair and nails done." said Nordu excitedly. "I've lived nearly a thousand standard years and have never had such an experience before."

Like Rachel, all of Nordu's coworkers were very excited for her, almost as if they were going on the big date themselves. No doubt Nordu would be thoroughly questioned about the occasion on Monday morning.


Spock met Dr. Peng at the appointed time and place. Peng had warned his friend of their visit, so she had left guest passes for them at the front desk. The receptionist directed the pair to a large conference room on the first floor.

They were among the first to arrive and took seats near the back. They could observe the class without interfering with it. An elderly Bajoran woman, Dr. Hala Nosti stood at a podium reviewing her notes. She nodded a greeting at them. Soon the students began to file in. When they had all arrived, Dr. Nosti addressed them.

"As this is our second class and you have all learned some vocabulary, we will now have a bit of conversation time in Bajoran. Divide up into of three or four. Once you are settled in, you will each introduce yourselves and tell something about your lives to the others in your group. Remember, Bajoran only. I'll give you ten minutes, starting now."

The students hurriedly formed groups, but were a little shy at first. Finally one brave soul in each bunch broke the ice. Many grammatical errors were made, but they all seemed to enjoy themselves, reluctant to return to their seats when Dr. Nosti declared "Time's up."

She then spent the next forty-five minutes discussing the gender of nouns and their relationships to verb conjugation, followed by a comparison of regular verbs vs. irregular ones. After a question and answer period, homework was assigned for the next session. Last of all, she told her class a Bajoran folktale.

Spock watched as the students gave their teacher complete attention. No one was talking or sleeping. Dr. Nosti had managed to both entertain and educate them. He had much to consider as he hurried off to meet Sirin at Mofasu's Family Restaurant.


Rachel and Esther decided to do some major shopping, so Jason was spending the day with his father and Uncle Spock. The little guy used his charms on one of Mr. Mofasu's daughters, who brought him animal cookies to munch on while the adults talked business.

The building had undergone a thorough inspection, revealing no major problems, just several minor ones. Sirin had had his lawyer review the contract. All was in order. Sirin and Spock signed the contracts and arranged for the transfer of funds into Mofasu's business account. After the deed and access codes were handed over, Mofasu treated them all to lunch.

As Jason sat in a booster seat eating a savory vegetable stew, he spied a waitress carrying a tray laden with sweet pastries. He gave her his sweetest smile and was rewarded with some crispy awamat or donut balls.

Sirin was a bit embarrassed, but Mr. Mofasu merely laughed.

"You're going to have your hands full with that one. He's not quite two but already has quite the technique with the ladies."


After their delicious lunch, the trio traveled back to Union Square to check out the building again and visit each of the three businesses it housed. Jasmine's Vintage Clothing was owned by the wife of Menace member Tariq. She congratulated her friends on their purchase while securing a promise from them to repair the leaky faucet in her bathroom.

Sheldon Lufner was in his recording studio, helping a young guitarist make a demo for his music school application. He showed Spock and Sirin some stains on the ceiling where the roof had leaked.

The third business was T'Esha's Organic Grocery. T'Esha was the wife of a junior accountant at the Vulcan Embassy. Though Amanda often bought her produce here, Spock has not been in T'Esha's since he was a child. The store also sold Vulcan foodstuffs and imported Vulcan gift items.

T'Esha was definitely up to speed on her marketing techniques. The many carved wooden animals and Vulcan toys were artfully displayed at a small child's eye level. While T'Esha told Sirin and Spock of issues with the wiring to her stasis units, Jason's attention was captured by a toy representation of a dzharel, a pony-like horned animal.

"Look, Daddy! Vulcan horse! Let's buy, please!"

"That is called a dzharel, my son. You already have many toys at home."

"No dzharel at home! Please?"

Sirin really wanted to give his little boy this reminder of a home he might never be able to take him to.

"Your mother will be displeased and say that I spoil you."

Spock considered the wooden toy, which had been very well crafted. Jason should really have more of Vulcan culture in his life.

"Rachel is unlikely to scold me" he said as he placed the small beast on the counter and paid T'Esha for it.


Spock rose early Sunday morning and headed to the Academy track for another long run. There were few others there at that hour. Doubtless most were still sleeping after various Saturday night revelries.

He stretched his long limbs and then ran, slowly at first, then at his full speed. He was much faster than the average Human of similar build. Spock ran ten kilometers before he encountered another runner.

She was also swift, traveling on slender but strong legs. Sweat made her luscious chocolate-colored skin seem to glow as her long ponytail trailed behind her. Cadet Uhura was beauty in motion.

Spock ran a few more laps, simply enjoying the breeze in his face and the sight of the lovely cadet. Then he chided himself for his illogical behavior and returned to his quarters. He must stop thinking of Cadet Uhura. There could be no relationship between them.


He was both the fastest and the most graceful thing Nyota had ever seen on two legs. When the breeze ruffled that perfect bowl cut, he looked even more attractive. She really needed to stop having such thoughts. Lt. Spock had not even acknowledged her presence on the track. And as his student, she could hold no place in his life. Her time would be better spent concentrating on her studies.


Spock had spent Sunday afternoon preparing himself for Monday's Beginning Vulcan lecture. He brought along his ka'athyra, though he was uncertain if he would use it. Spock decided to followed Dr. Nosti's example and ordered the cadets to break up into small groups.

"For the next ten minutes, you shall converse using only the Vulcan vocabulary you have learned thus far. No other languages are to be spoken. Introduce yourself to the other members of the group, state your birthplace, and an interesting fact about said place. You may begin now."

They started off slowly, just as Dr. Nosti's students had. Again, their grammar was far from perfect, yet they were conversing and actually seemed to enjoy it.

Afterward, Spock reviewed proper formal and informal greetings and the best way to introduce oneself. Then he asked if there were any questions.

A male cadet raised his hand.

"Yes, Cadet Ramsey. You have my permission to speak."

"Thank you, sir. My question is not about grammar, though. Why do we need to learn a language when we have universal translators? It seems a waste of time."

"Even the best universal translator has its limitations. I have designed several and hold patents on various modifications to others, so I know whereof I speak. Translators miss many nuances and subtleties of spoken language."

"Also, studying another language helps one understand the structure and organization of one's own tongue."

Another hand went up in the back row.

"Yes, Cadet Lee. You may speak."

"Thank you, sir. Why study Vulcan? All the Vulcans I've ever met speak Federation Standard."

"Have you ever considered a visit to Vulcan?"

"Yes, sir, I have."

"It is true that many Vulcans are well-versed in Federation Standard, especially the educated and those who live in large cities such as Shi'Kahr or near spaceports such as Vulcanis Regar. However, if one were to tour less populated, agricultural areas, he would be hard-pressed to find any who speak Federation Standard."

"Your question reminds me of the attitudes held by some North Americans in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. They considered linguistic studies a waste of time, as much of the world was learning to speak English. It was part of the reason others considered people from the United States to be arrogant."

"Cadet Lee, it is impossible to study a language without also learning something of its people and culture. I believe that is the very best reason to study any tongue."

"We don't know much about your culture, sir. You Vulcans don't seem inclined to share much."

"That has indeed been true in the past, Cadet. It is my hope that this class may lead to some small progress in that regard."

Spock then told them a story about his ancestor who had survived his maturity test with a little help from a kindly air spirit. He followed the tale by singing a musical version of it, The Song of the Rushan. His students were entranced, just as Dr. Nosti's had been.

Spock assigned his student homework. They would need to learn the numbers one through one hundred by the next class.

Cadet Lee raised his hand again.

"Yes, Cadet?"

"It's too bad there isn't a Vulcan counting song, sir."

"Actually there is."

Spock picked up his ka'athyra again and sang Ten Lost Sehlats for his students in Vulcan. He followed it with the Federation Standard translation he had made himself as a child.

Ten little sehlats strolled away from their clan,

Into the desert to explore the sand.

One found some hirat ripe on a vine.

He sat down to eat them, so there were nine.

Another was plump, moved at a slow rate,

He fell behind and soon there were just eight.

Look, the horizon where land meets heaven!

One stood amazed, so now there were seven.

Continuing on past a pile of sticks,

One began to play, so then there were six.

They climbed up rocks where tasty cacti thrive.

One became hungry, so then there were five.

Next they jumped down onto the desert floor.

One grew quite sleepy, so then there were four.

Off to the west at a stream by a tree,

One soaked his little feet, now there were three.

Spotting the cliff where the lara birds flew,

One stopped to watch them, so there were two.

The hour was late, so they started to run.

One could not keep up, so there was just one.

One lone little sehlat, so far from home.

Now she was lost. Why, oh, why did she roam?

Overhead T'Khut arose in the sky,

Showing her the way, so home she did fly.

At the gate stood the little sehlats' mothers.

"Where are your cousins, sisters, and brothers?"

"Still in the desert, where they lagged behind."

"You left them there? Are you out of your mind?"

"You know better than to part from your kin."

"Stay together! Must we tell you again?"

They followed the tracks until each was found,

Restored to family, home safe and sound.

They were scolded, bathed, and then they were fed.

All were tired, so they went off to bed.

His students thanked him with a round of applause, just before the bell rang signifying the end of class. As they were filing out, Spock overheard Cadet Ramsey's comment to a friend.

"You know, I was thinking about dropping out of this class, but it's starting to get interesting."

Perhaps Spock's teaching techniques were improving.


Rachel was glad to have finished her morning lecture. She raced over to the Clinic, anxious to here about Nordu's big date. When she got there, she found her Leethrian friend all smiles. Rachel got herself some coffee and sat down at the Triage Station.

"Okay, I've been waiting all weekend. Tell me absolutely everything."

"Cendrehu picked me up in a luxurious ground car, driven by a chauffeur. He must have hired it, because the Leethrian Embassy owns no such vehicles. He took me to a vegetarian restaurant in the Marina District, near historic Fort Mason. We talked for hours, until the place closed. Then Cendrehu asked me to spend Sunday with him."

Rachel and the other female staffers sighed.

"How romantic. You said yes, of course."

"Of course. Cendrehu picked me up Sunday morning in an ordinary hovercar. We drove to Big Sur and ate a picnic lunch in a secluded area. We discussed our interests and plans for the future. We actually have many goals in common."

"Then he stripped off his clothes."

Rachel gasped and coffee came out her nose.

"What?"

"He stripped of his clothes so he could fly unencumbered over the water. That is how our people demonstrate their desire to mate. He has the most beautiful wings and such a flawless technique."

"No kidding. So...what happened next?"

"I removed my own clothes and joined him, accepting his declaration of intent to mate."

Nordu's friends all stared at her, wide-eyed. Finally, Rachel asked what everyone was dying to know.

"So, did you mate?"

"Certainly not. That would be improper, as we have not yet wed. We shall have a ceremony performed by Cendrehu's mother, Lady Misielthu. I hope that you will all attend."

"Nordu, we wouldn't miss it for the world."


Jason was sound asleep and Esther had gone to bed. Rachel pulled Sirin away from his medical journals and led him to their room.

"There's something else you need to be working on, Dr. Sirin. I'm still not pregnant."

"Ah, then I must practice, as my technique must need improvement.

A/N:

I hope my little sehlat song isn't too silly!

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!