Author's Note: Chapter 38 returns to Uhura's third year as a Starfleet cadet. This chapter features Uhura, Spock, Captain Christopher Pike and his son, Jack.
Sorry – this chapter does not contain the first kiss and, yes, I missed my Christmas posting deadline (having too much fun). However, the "promised" chapter is actually written and will go up after I proofread it.
Your comments are always welcome.
At 2:07 AM, Spock left the Daystrom Physics Laboratory where he had been conducting his condensed matter experiments. As he walked through the Science Complex, at this early morning hour the Vulcan found the walkways deserted with the exception of the security detail stationed at this part of campus.
Spock had no need to stop by his office before heading to his apartment. However, as he started to pass by, he noticed it still appeared to be illuminated. He reasoned the electronic sensor must have malfunctioned, since the lights normally would turn off automatically when persons were not detected. The Vulcan decided he would go inside to manually turn off the lights.
Just as Spock walked in and reached for the light dimmer switch, he noticed a figure slumped across a workstation. Nyota.
Quickly crossing to her, Spock experienced a bit of relief upon realizing she was simply asleep. He noticed her workstation filled with items - such as printed programs and electronic name badges - connected to the symposium concerning the research project headed by Ensign Peja Slovich. Spock began the shutdown process on her computer after taking care to save her moderator script and logistic, equipment, guest and beverage/appetizer lists.
"Ms. Uhura." He called to her, but she did not stir. He increased his volume as he called her name, again, but there was still no effect. Seeing no other option, he placed his hand on her shoulder and gently shook her.
As the Cadet gained consciousness, she suddenly sat up abruptly when realizing the presence of a warm hand on her shoulder. His hand.
"Oh, Mr. Spock!" She exclaimed.
"My intent was not to startle you."
Embarrassed he had found her in such a state, she chose not to turn her chair, yet, to face him. "I wasn't startled, sir."
"Then which word would you prefer? Did I shock, surprise, disconcert, disturb or disquiet you?"
Smart ass was the first thought which came to mind, but even in her exhausted condition she realized she could not use that response. She also knew herself to be in no condition to match words with the quick-witted Vulcan who could function on far less sleep than full-bloodied humans.
Uhura replied, "On second thought, you probably did startle me. However, I am sure it was –"
Her last statement went unfinished as she gasped in reaction to the blank computer screen before her. She quickly turned on the computer and signed in.
"Ms. Uhura, are you aware of the hour?"
"Not exactly, but I'm sure it is late." Her eyes now fixed on the screen before her.
"It is 2:17 AM. Surely, you have not decided to continue working at this time."
"Before I fell asleep, I remember the computer being on and I was revising some of the documents needed for the seminar."
"If you are concerned about those files, rest assured I saved each of them before activating the computer's shutdown process."
"Sir, I'm sure you meant well, but I spent a lot of time on those documents. As the person charged by you to manage this event, I just want to make sure my revisions were saved properly."
Her comments caused Spock to raise an eyebrow and fold his arms. Not even to himself would he admit her unintentional slight hit its target.
After completing her task, he heard her breathe a sigh of relief.
"I trust all is in order." He said stiffly.
Uhura shut down the computer. "As far as I can tell. I'll give it a more thorough review later."
"Indeed." The Vulcan commented drily as the East African turned her chair to face him. Upon doing so, she became aware his eyes seemed to focus on a part of her face.
"Sir, why are you staring at me like that?"
"I am just noticing something about you which deviates from your normal appearance."
Drained from the late-night work, Uhura really did not care. It's probably a zit. Still she asked him, "What is it?"
"There looks to be a liquid substance about your mouth and extending to your chin. I believe it is known drool."
Uhura's eyes opened wide as she grabbed her purse, found a small mirror, and checked to confirm the Vulcan's observation. Using a tissue, she quickly wiped away the offense.
When the East African turned back to him as if offering herself for inspection, he coolly commented, "I suppose you are presentable enough to venture out into public."
Uhura bit her lip to stop her tongue.
"It is time for us to leave the office."
"You can go on, Mr. Spock. If I call now, an escort from the security office will be here in a few minutes."
"Ms. Uhura, you do not require an escort when I can provide that service."
Uhura was in no mood to walk to her dorm with Mr. Spock and decided to think of an acceptable, but convincing response.
"Sir, at this hour, would it not be prudent if I used the escort service? After all, that would save you the time and inconvenience of walking me to my dorm and then going in the opposite direction all the way back across campus to get to officer housing." Rising from her seat, she feigned sincerity when she added, "Mr. Spock, I am only thinking of you when I respectfully decline your offer."
Uhura reached into her bag to retrieve her communicator, but his stern voice brusquely stopped her action.
"Cadet Uhura, why are you under the impression you have a choice in this matter? As your immediate supervisor your safety is my responsibility. It is not a duty that is subject to be transfer as a discretionary matter. Have I made my position clear?"
Six minutes into the 23-minute walk across campus to Uhura's dorm, she felt herself shivering. During the daytime, the San Franciscan December temperature had neared a record high so the East African left her jacket in her room not thinking she would work so long at the office. With the early morning temperature later dropping to a more normal measure in the 40's, she suffered for her lack of foresight.
With his long strides, the tall Vulcan had no trouble keeping up with the petite woman who took quick steps in a hurry toward her destination. However, in doing so, he also could not help but recognize her distress.
"Cadet Uhura." He called to her.
What is it now? She thought as she stopped her progress. Too damn cold to be out here having a discussion.
"Yes, sir." Before she had the opportunity to politely refuse, she found his jacket covering her. Toasty warm from the Vulcan's higher body temperature, the comfort the unexpected gesture brought her resulted only in a weak protest from the Cadet.
"But Mr. Spock, you shouldn't suffer just because I forgot to prepare for the change in weather. I know Vulcans have a more difficult time with cold temperatures than humans."
Spock answered her with no hesitation. "As a man, I will do what is necessary to provide the care expected of me."
"Don't you mean as an officer, sir?"
"Ms. Uhura, have I ever given you the impression of lacking preciseness in speech?"
Out of consideration of his sacrifice, Uhura continued her swift movement. Ever so often she looked to him to check on his condition, but neither his face nor body showed signs of discomfort.
When they reached the graduate women housing entrance, Uhura returned Spock's jacket to him. "Thank you, Mr. Spock."
"An expression of gratitude is unnecessary when it corresponds to an obligation."
Uhura's first instinct was not to react and just go inside to find her bed. However, as he put on his jacket her tongue would not let her be silent. Not this time. "Freedom to speak freely, sir."
"Granted."
"Being in the military, I realize there are many aspects of my life which I do not control. However, sir, you cannot dictate to whom, when, where and for what reason I choose to express my appreciation. I chose to thank you for your kind act and you damn well better accept it."
"Your impudence surprises me, Ms. Uhura. Must I advise you that even when given permission to speak one's mind, there still is a measure of propriety one must not violate."
Uhura knew she had crossed the line of decorum with her last comment. Yet, she was in no mood to retract it.
She countered, "What surprises me, Mr. Spock, is your lack of understanding of humanity. Just how long ago has it been since you came to Earth to enroll in the Academy."
"Fourteen years, four months, and 13 days."
"You are the child of a human and have spent the majority of your adult life among humans and, yet, this race is still quite alien to you, isn't it?"
"I am Vulcan. This is not my home."
"Home is where you make it, Mr. Spock. After 14 years, isn't it time you stopped being a visitor?"
Silence.
Suddenly, Uhura feared he would shut down as he did when she had confronted him about their relationship shortly before the semester began.i She waited and started to once again feel the cold air take hold of her body.
And then, she saw something come across his face that could almost pass as a smile. Spock told her, "Without a doubt, in the future I shall take more time to consider requests from you to speak freely."
A small victory, but it was one that also warmed her with hope. Knowing they both needed their sleep for the important day ahead of them, Uhura realized she shoud allow him to be on his way. However, before she began to voice of words of parting, she noticed Spock had not, yet, zipped up his jacket.
Feeling empowered by her earlier success, Uhura came to him and said, "You can't walk all the way across campus to officers housing like that." Placing her hands at the bottom of his jacket, she placed the zipper hook in its base and pulled the slider up to the top stop as though she had done so many times in the past.
"That's more like it." The East African told him as she looked up and met his eyes.
And Uhura knew she had stayed too long like this . . .
It was too familiar . . .
Too much like it was . . . right.
The Vulcan watched as Uhura began to tremble and back away from him. He wanted to pull her back to him and let her know . . . everything.
But, now it was too late for she was all business.
"After I review the moderator's script again later this morning, I'll send you the final draft. After breakfast, I'll come by the office with volunteers to pick up the conference materials. We should have the room set by noon. That should give us plenty of time to troubleshoot any last minute issues before registration opens at 3 and the symposium begins at 4 PM on the dot. Sir, I know how you are about punctuality. I believe I have all the bases covered, but if you would like to look at my logistics plan I could send it to you this morning along with the moderator's script."
"That will not be necessary. It seems you have all aspects of the affair well in hand."
"Thank you, sir. Well, I better get inside before I freeze my ass . . . I mean . . . I'm sorry, sir."
"Good night, Ms. Uhura."
"Good night, sir."
6:37 AM Captain Pike, Jack and Spock wait in a booth at the diner, as the waitress cleared the table of their used dishes.
"Cool beans, Dad! Now I know why you and Mr. Spock come to eat here every Friday. The food is awesome."
"Cool beans?" His father remarked. "Do you know how old that phrase has got to be? And out of all the options you could have had for breakfast, you chose the same cereal you eat almost everyday."
"I don't know. Kinda tasted different here."
Spock commented, "The human palette can be influenced not only by direct stimuli, but also indirectly. In this case, we assume there is not appreciable difference in the direct stimuli of the cereal and milk accessible at your home and this diner."
"That's true." Pike added. "It's the same brand of cereal and there's only one producer of whole milk in this region."
"However, the indirect stimuli are quite different. Jack, it is my understanding you have never previously been to this particular establishment. Is that correct?"
"No, Dad's never taken me."
"Now wait a minute. Don't act as though I've never asked. Each time you've refused because you always want to go to the Pancake House."
"Well, that's because they have over 100 kinds of pancakes and waffles."
"Jack, you order the same kind every time – wheat pancakes with strawberries topped with whipped cream."
"And the pecan sprinkles." The boy added.
"How could I forget?"
Jack noticed the Vulcan sitting patiently watching father and son interact. "Dad, I think Mr. Spock still hadn't finished his point."
"I'm sorry, Spock." Pike said. "Please go on."
"What probably accounts for the difference in the perceived superior taste of the cereal at the diner is more than likely the indirect stimuli comprised of the dining experience and the level of pleasure one draws from one's companions."
"So, that means if I want my cereal to taste good all the time, I should come to breakfast with you and Dad every Friday." Jack surmised.
"Now wait a minute, son. I told you that you could join Mr. Spock and me once a month, but not every week. Just like I make sure I have time to spend with you, it is important for good friends to have time with each other."
"But, Mr. Spock and I are friends, too."
"Mr. Spock and I are adults, while you are still a child. Sometimes, Mr. Spock and I need to talk about adult matters that are not appropriate for your ears."
"I'm almost 12."
"You have over 10 ½ months to go. Even then, being 12 will only qualify you for pre-teen status - nothing more."
"Oh, Dad."
"Jack." Spock called for his attention. "Didn't Sonya tell you she would show you how she makes donuts after you finished your breakfast?"
"You're not trying to get rid of me, are you Mr. Spock?"
"What do you think?" The Vulcan asked in his usual no nonsense tone.
Jack does not hesitate to get up. "I think I'll go watch Sonya make donuts for a while."
Pike waited until his son reached one of the stools at the diner counter before speaking to Spock.
"Well, Spock, have you had time to consider my proposal?"
"I still do not know why it is necessary, sir. He does have a living mother. According to my research, the probability untimely demise of both of you before Jack reaches adulthood is almost statistically insignificant."
"You know as well as I that a StarShip Captain's mortality rate is nearly three times as high as it is for the general population. And if something were to happen that would not allow me to take care of Jack's needs, I want to make sure there still is a man in his life . . . the right man. And, I cannot think of anyone else who would be better suited than you to fulfill that role."
Spock hesitated, and then confessed. "I do not know if your assessment of my worthiness for such a position is accurate. In the early hours of this morning, I hardly behaved in a manner appropriate for my age or status."
"Early morning hours? Does this involve a woman?"
"Yes, sir."
"A sexual matter?"
"Yes and no, sir."
"Spock . . . we could continue to play 20 questions, but I'm afraid we won't get very far before the donut making demonstration loses Jack's interest."
The Vulcan hesitated, again, but then felt the need to complete his confession. "I was in the company of a woman for whom I realize I have a deep affection. I believe I had an opportunity to demonstrate that affection, but I hesitated and she no longer seemed interested."
"You struck out." Pike commented. "Well, Spock, that may be the first time for you, but all I can say is - Welcome to the club."
"Her reaction to me was a correct one. It was not an optimum time or the preferable conditions for such an expression. However, as the more experienced one between the two, I should have known better."
"Men can be stupid – Welcome to the club."
"I believe I allowed carnal desire to overtake my capacity for orderly, systematic and reasoned thought."
"Men sometimes get their penises confused with their brain – Welcome to the club. My friend, you need to stop beating yourself up over this. In fact, I believe I am in her debt. A woman who actually has resisted the sexual prowess of Mr. Spock! It almost makes you sound human."
"No need to insult me, sir."
"So, when can I meet her? Perhaps, we can make it a foursome with you, me, Siwan and – By the way, what's the name of this wonder woman?"
"Captain, we should probably retrieve Jack and return to the Academy." Spock rose from his seat. "As you know, we are conducting a major symposium this afternoon and there are details I have yet to attend to."
"Of course, I've heard of the symposium. Talk is that it is the hottest ticket in town." Pike signaled to his son to come with them.
As they begin to walk briskly toward campus, Spock commented. "The hottest ticket in town, sir? We never gave the impression there would be an admission charged to attend the event."
Pike gave Spock the don't give me that shit look. "What's her name, Spock?"
"Who's name?"
"The woman we've been talking about."
"What woman?" Jack asked.
"I am speaking to Mr. Spock, son."
"What woman is he talking about, Mr. Spock?"
"I am waiting for more information from your father to provide a more precise response."
"He needs more information, Dad."
"Oh, I believe he has quite enough."
"To do what?" Jack asked.
Smoldering, Pike tried to check his growing frustration. "Jack, this is a conversation between me and Mr. Spock."
"I thought you already had a chance to talk, while I was watching Sonya make the donuts."
Spock asked, "Did you enjoy her demonstration?"
"It was actually pretty cool watching her drop the batter in hot oil and seeing it cook and all. She said a replicator can't get it right."
"That might be an experiment you might want to conduct to test her hypothesis."
"A taste test? Cool beans, Mr. Spock. We'd need to think about how to deal with the indirect stimulation . . ."
"Indirect stimuli." Spock corrected him.
"Oh yeah, we need to think about how to deal with the indirect stimuli so the results of our experiment will be more real."
"Accurate would be a better word choice." Spock corrected him, again. "Unless fabricated, any results would be real. The goal of any well-designed experiment should be to provide accurate results."
"Right. I think I understand that now. Thanks, Mr. Spock."
The trio enjoyed each other's company in silence until they reached campus and Pike's home in family housing.
Jack asked his father, "Do you still have time to take me to school?"
"Sure. Hurry up and get your backpack."
"OK." The boy started to go into the house, then turned back. "Oh yeah, Mr. Spock. Don't forget to answer Dad's question."
"Jack. You need to focus on getting ready for school instead of adult issues."
"All right. See ya, Mr. Spock."
"May your scholastic studies bring you enlightenment."
A bemused Jack headed into the house, while a grin appeared across Pike's face. There was no one like Spock.
Turning to his friend, the Captain told him. "It's all right, Spock. You don't have to answer my question. If you don't want to tell me the identity of the woman, then I probably shouldn't know. You're a good man, Spock, and I believe if you truly care about this woman - you both will find a way to work it out."
"Yes." Spock simply told him.
"I'm glad you agree with me."
"Yes, I'll take on the responsibility as Jack's guardian, if the situation is warranted."
For a moment, his answer caught Pike off-guard. He wanted to embrace his friend, but he knew that would be too demonstrative for this Vulcan male.
So, the Captain and his first officer stood across from each other. Pike reached across the space that separated them and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.
Author's Notes:
The next chapter definitely contains Uhura and Spock's first kiss. The first draft is written. After I proofread it, it will be posted.
Your comments are always welcome.
i See Chapter 37.