Spock's concern

It was 1540 San Francisco time and Spock was moving swiftly through the Academy's sprawling grounds. The day was over for most trainees and hordes of them gathered on the grounds socializing and exchanging stories as humans preferred to do. He had agreed to a dubious proposition yesterday when Cadet Kirk had invited him. Spock would never admit to being nervous. He recognized it as futile. However, he would not be entirely honest with himself if he did not acknowledge that there was certain anxiety associated with such an unplanned social encounter.

He was nearing designated meeting place by 1550 and Spock knew he was early. Punctuality was important to him and having extra time factored into one's schedule prevented unforeseen events to disturb it. He was mildly surprised to see Cadet Kirk approaching from the opposite end of the grounds. They met at the Fountains and locked eyes.

" How was your day Spock?" Cadet Kirk asked with his customary smile and enthusiasm.

" Adequate." he inclined his head and drew satisfaction at seeing the Cadet chuckle at his response.

" Well mine sucked! I am so looking forward to ..." and here Cadet Kirk paused and a grin spread on his face.

" Where do you think we are going Spock?"

" I do not have sufficient data to pose a hypothesis."

" I know, I know. I deliberately didn't provide you that data. But take a guess?" Kirk was leaning slightly towards him, eyes alight, face animated.

" Vulcans do not "guess" however, if I were to indulge in such a unscientific endeavor, I would propose it involved Cadet Valas and yourself in some social custom."

" Like a date?" asked the human with amusement.

" It is possible." Spock was not happy with his "guess", clearly the Cadet was enjoying his discomfort.

" And you wanted to be the third wheel?"

Spock frowned internally. He had learnt thousands of human idioms, in multiple Earth languages during his first immersion year. However, now and then, he was still presented with one which made no logical sense.

" I fail to see the relevance of an automobile, further I fail to see the significance of the position of the part in question."

Kirk was now laughing and before Spock was forced to acknowledge to himself how much of that laugh meant to him, Cadet Valas arrived. She was dressed in a loose fitting two piece garment.

" Valas, I invited Spock today. " said Kirk as he started walking. It was not a question, simply an explanation.

Cadet Valas exhibited all symptoms of discomfort so Spock positioned himself on right of Kirk to give the Andorian some space.

Walking between them Kirk said "All right, let's go then!"

He led them to the area at the back of buildings which dotted the grounds in a loosely semicircular fashion. There was open ground here, divided in sections, several of which served as recreational playgrounds. Some Cadets could be seen engaging in various sports as they walked towards the area. They approached a group of cadets who had clustered besides one such sand filled field. Spock noticed they all wore loose garments in the fashion of Cadet Valas's clothing.

Once they reached the group, Cadet Kirk greeted them loudly "Hey guys! Please start warming up, I will change in a second and join you."

The group dispersed into the field and started running laps. Kirk put his bag which he had been carrying on the ground and pulled out a shirt similar to the style of others. He swiftly took off this uniform upper tunic and put the shirt on. With a grin to Spock, he turned around and marched into the field and joined the others in warm up.

So this was not a "date". Spock realized he was relieved. His anxiety had disappeared though he was still unclear why Cadet Kirk had winked at the Andorian female yesterday – in turn invoking an unfamiliar reaction in him.

After several minutes, Kirk called out. "All right team, today we will practice the move Knife Hand. I need a volunteer! "

Two young men raised hands and Kirk chose one. They sparred and Kirk demonstrated several moves, pausing each time and pointing out the various technicalities. Once he was done, he broke them up in pairs and went around each pair suggesting corrections and encouraging those who were struggling.

Spock's eyebrows rose up. This was unexpected and admirable. The young cadet was a natural leader and he had taken upon himself to teach his fellow trainees advanced moves. He was himself a highly accomplished fighter Spock observed.

The cadet stood to one side as he watched his peers. Spock took off his uniform tunic and stepped into the field dressed in his black thermal undershirt.

"It seems you need a partner" he offered.

The human was taken aback for a moment before recovering.

"Why Spock, I didn't know you were interested in hand to hand combat."

"Vulcans are nonviolent but we are trained extensively in several techniques of martial art."

The bright eyes lit up and Kirk stepped in front of Spock.

Spock tackled the Cadet carefully, aware of his superior strength, and keeping his hands away from the human's bare skin. What the Cadet lacked in strength he made up in agility and untraditional moves. Spock was confounded by the unorthodox style of combat but he was never under any threat of a serious defeat. As they went at each other and jumped back again and again in a graceful but aggressive dance, Spock noticed through peripheral vision that the others had stopped and started watching them. After several minutes Spock managed to subdue Kirk and pin him on the soft sand under their feet. He wanted to invoke the traditional Vulcan surrender procedure but it would not be appropriate so he let go of Kirk and walked silently back to where his uniform lay neatly folded.

"That was a-m-a-z-i-n-g! " Kirk was panting and sweating but he did not appear perturbed by Spock's manhandling.

The murmur of voices rising from rest of them agreed.

" Well team, now we have someone who can hand me my ass, which means I get to learn more and you get to work harder! " he spoke as he walked over to his bag and pulled out a towel and started wiping his face. Several of the others were doing the same and drinking water. The "date" seemed to have concluded.

"Good work everyone! " Kirk clapped his hands once, "see you next week, same time, same place!"

Kirk turned to Spock and looked at him with scrutinizing eyes. Spock looked back and held the gaze.

"Another one added to the list" Kirk murmured finally and when Spock raised an eyebrow to ask for explanation Kirk simply smiled, waved his hands and turned back to change his sweat soaked shirt. The human had appealing musculature Spock allowed himself as Kirk's back was exposed for a second.

"What did you think of that Spock?" Kirk asked, back in his red uniform and bag slung over his shoulders.

They started walking back, their steps in sync.

"I admit it was unexpected. May I enquire as to the purpose of this exercise?"

"There is a guy who has been harassing some first years. Nothing major but it's still a pain."

"I was not aware of this. Has he been "harassing" you as well?"

"Yeah, I have been his prime target but there have been others. All these people you saw today have been his victims. At first, I though it's just me. I can handle myself but then Valas confided in me one day and she was really upset. We found out about others once I started asking around. It's just been few times really but I want them to learn how to defend themselves." Kirk was serious and thoughtful, his eyes distant.

"This is most unpleasant news." Spock commented. He was indeed not happy to learn Cadet Kirk was being subjected to such stress.

"Oh it's nothing that bad. Really it isn't! Mostly its practical jokes."

"A most unique human concept, Cadet Kirk." Spock replied in a cool voice. He could not find humor in the situation.

"You are probably right." Kirk gave a small smile and then continued "To be honest, I think it's going beyond jokes now. It's progressively getting worse. I don't want to report him yet because that would mean disciplinary action and probably end of his career. I am hoping he would use common sense."

"May I enquire to the perpetrator's identity?"

"Would you report him Spock?"

"I may, yes. I remind you that I am also an instructor and it is my duty to make sure the environment is safe for everyone."

Kirk sighed.

"Give me a few days. I don't want to make this official. He is probably a good guy…probably even make a good officer. I am just not sure if he is being funny or is he really a jerk."

"Your generosity is admirable under the circumstances."

At that Kirk's lips twisted into a half smile, and he commented "I know I am just a lowly first year but I care about StarFleet and I care about each Cadet, even those who may be little...misguided."

"I will respect your decision then. However, I have to remind you of the incident involving your former roommate and I am concerned about...your safety" Spock finished.

Kirk was immediately serious. His face lost all traces of smile and he breathed deeply. Spock had suspected that Kirk was still suffering from the emotional trauma of the attack and he now saw he was right.

"That was different, Spock. That wasn't someone playing practical joke. It was..." Kirk abruptly stopped. He started to walk faster in an attempt to avoid the conversation.

"Jim." It was the first time Spock had used the Cadet's first name.

Jim stopped and looked up with troubled eyes. There was pain there. And surprise at his name being used. And something more.

Cadet Kirk visibly struggled for several minutes as an obvious internal monologue played out inside him.

"I am sorry Spock. I can't talk about this. I want to, but I can't." he replied in a low defeated voice and Spock felt intense discomfort at the human's tone.

They looked at each other, both sensing the other's pain and Spock realized he didn't need telepathy to read Jim's emotions. This human opened up to Spock and Spock could read every subtle play on his face. His own eyes reflected back his internal state. Jim's troubles were no more separate from his own. Whatever bothered the remarkable human being, Spock was now invested as well. Maybe this is what humans called friendship. If so, he could see the allure of it.

"I will not violate your privacy. However, the matter of your safety cannot be ignored."

"I have learnt my lesson hopefully. I have changed the code on my room keypad. I am always alert about my surrounding -in my room, out of it, in classes, all day. Ivanov was a child, Spock. I am not a stranger to violence. I can defend myself as you saw."

Spock nodded. "Perhaps you will allow me to improve your skills then. You are an accomplished fighter unlike most humans your age. Being a Vulcan, I have superior strength and I can prove to be a worthy teacher by virtue of my training."

Jim finally relaxed into a smile. Spock felt a warmth spread through himself.

"Mr. Spock! I would be absolutely honored to have my ass handed to me on a regular basis!" with that the human bowed deeply in an exaggerated fashion.