I wrote this after writing the chapters Ice Cold and Pen Blade. I was planning to make this into its own one shot focusing on the relationship between Uhura and Gaila but I kind of 'accidentally' injected way too much background from this story so… surprise! Think of it as a little bonus for reviewing. Thank you to all my wonderful readers, especially the people who tell me what they think.

oo0oo

Music blasted through the thin dorm doors.

Passing students either covered their ears or head banged to the catchy tunes.

One girl, from an entirely different dorm complex knocked angrily at the door. She knocked once, twice, three times, no answer. She stopped angrily. Her cheeks flushed red when passing cadets sniggered at her failed attempts.

The door finally opened when the girl's penetrating calls began to reach a level only dogs could hear.

A cheery green face popped out from behind the door. "Can I help you?" Her smile quickly dissolved when she saw who it was.

"Yeah. Lower the volume before I call campus security."

"How the hell-...You don't even live here Chieko."

"Doesn't mean you can listen to music this loud. And don't think you can charm your way out of a citation Gaila, I'll be making sure to get a female officer."

She snorted. "Like that would stop me." She turned around, slightly closing the door. "Nyota! Hey! Lower the volume a bit before Tanaka here gets a conniption. The lady doth protest too much, for her sensitive ears cannot handle the rhythm."

The volume was lowered so it was quiet enough to hear giggles. Uhura walked over to the door. "There, that should be low enough that no one can file a complaint. See ya!" And she slammed the door in Cheiko's face.

The girls walked back over to the space between their beds.

Gaila plopped down first. "How much longer do you think this will take?"

"I'll give it another hour or two. I just can't believe we have to make a physical diagram of the Beta Quadrant for astrophysics. I never once thought I would have to do arts and crafts in Starfleet, especially not after those ridiculously hard entrance exams."

"Oh shush you, you're so uptight. Just enjoy one of the easiest projects you'll be assigned for the next four years." She leaned playfully against Uhura who leaned back a little less playfully. "And I thought it was super fun to do that... what is that thing called again?"

"Paper mache?"

"Yeah! Paper Mash-ee"

"Mhmm... You just liked making Orion because you didn't have to research the topography since you've been touring the Orion skies all spring break."

"Spoil sport. You're just bitter 'cuz we didn't get to make Vulcan." She stuck her tongue out childishly.

Uhura ignored her and continued to adjust the planets.

"Awww, don't be like that Nyota. You know I was just kidding." Gaila pouted when Uhura continued to ignore her.

When Uhura finished she whispered. "I know Gaila, don't worry about it."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." Said Uhura. "I Don't."

Gaila shut up and helped Uhura finish up.

After keeping quiet for nearly thirty minutes, Gaila had enough. "You need to tell me one day you know-"

Uhura cut her off gruffly. "No I don't."

"Nyota! Seriously. You've been overworking yourself. I never see you anymore. Even your mom has been calling me asking me if you are ok, I don't know what to say to her! You know I hate lying to your mom... she bakes me cookies..."

Uhura tried to look away. She knew it was probably one of Gaila's Orion tricks but she couldn't help feeling super guilty when she saw her pouty eyes. "I'm fine. Why does everyone think I'm overworking myself, I just want to get a great start my first year at Starfleet."

"No, you're lying. You haven't been singing either. Yeah, I noticed. You usually sing in the shower or when you're really happy. Either you're not happy anymore or something happened. Your mother said something about singing with Lieutenant Spock..."

"She told you?" Uhura exclaimed. She had been so out of touch with her mother and friend she couldn't believe they would talk behind her back. It hurt a little; she wanted to deal with her own problems on her own.

"She was just worried about you. She thought maybe I knew something about it..." She lightly placed her hand on her friend's shoulder, slowly as not to startle her. "Did he do something to you?"

"NO!" Uhura almost screamed. "He would, would never!" She stuttered.

"Then what happened? You weren't like this before I went to Orion. Gaila's voice took a hard edge, unusual to her casual demeanor. "What happened dear? You can't keep it bottled up inside you like this; you're hurting yourself and everyone close to you by doing this. Please..."

Uhura wanted to push her friend away. Uhura wanted to hug her friend close.

Her heart cringed from feeling. She didn't want to feel like this, she didn't want to feel... confused.

She wanted to scream it all away. She wasn't supposed to feel like this. Like a silly school girl all hooked up on her emotions. She was Nyota Uhura. She was strong. She was intelligent. She was beautiful. She was Nyota Uhura.

She remembered the song. How could she not, it occupied her mind incessantly, permeating her deepest thoughts with its haunting tune. She was even dreaming about it. She would have preferred thinking about Lieutenant Spock, telling him that she found his voice enticing to the entire school, if it meant she could get the song out of her head.

She didn't want to think about this!

But she needed to.

A tear slid down Nyota's cheek.

"Oh honey!" Gaila wrapped her arms around Nyota, compressing her as tight as she could without crushing her. Uhura struggled but gave out when she realized her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. "Shhh, don't talk. It's ok."

Uhura let herself be comforted. She stopped fighting the song; she let it completely invade her mind. She let its simple yet subtly intricate melodies wreak havoc on her mind and heart until she was finally numb. Numb felt good.

"You can tell me when you're ready." Gaila whispered.