Chapter 4: Practical Application

I left the library later than normal. It was fall so it was darker earlier. I knew I should have left hours ago but I lost track of time. I knew my parents knew where I was. There wasn't really anywhere to go by foot near my house. There was the library, the corner store, and the post office. I started home. I knew the roads like the back of my hand. I took a shorter way thinking that I would be in trouble if I didn't get home right quick. I didn't notice anyone following me until I was grabbed and pulled into the woods by two men in masks.

"I've never done a green girl." one said

"She's a whore, just like her whore mother." claimed the other.

"No! Stop! Leave me alone!" I cried and tried to push the men off me.

They held me down and stripped me of my clothes and forced their way into any opening they could find. I was crying and they punched me so hard I was knocked out. When I woke up, it was almost light and I found they left five credits on the ground next to me.

I startled awake and looked around. Dr. McCoy was at my side.

"Where is Professor Spock and why am I here?" I demanded more than asked.

"Spock is talking with Admiral Jones at the moment about your current situation. You are here, in part, due to your current situation. I am sorry about the comment I made the other night."

"Whatever, it's fine."

"No, it's not fine. You and Spock deserve better and I don't ever apologize to anyone, so take it when it's offered."

I huffed at him and told him I would think about it and let him know.

"Well, that's more than I would expect. You didn't have too much wrong with you. Your jaw had a minor fracture, but that was an easy fix. What was more concerning was the apparent shock you went into. Care to talk about it?"

Oh no, did the the Professor see? Does he know? "I really don't want to talk about it. Maybe someday, but not now."

It was then that Spock came back to the room and explained that due to the circumstances, I would be reporting to him daily and on the weekends he would be teaching me meditation and emotional control. Well, there's an answer to my earlier question, I guess.

Saturday morning, I found myself awake earlier than necessary. Nightmares. God, please rid me of these nightmares. Amen. I was praying off and on almost two hours before I actually had to be awake to meet Professor Spock. I mentally went through the list of things that calmed me to see what I had time to do.

Gardening? No, I can't get into dirt right now.

Music? I could get out my mandolin for a bit, maybe.

Prayer? I've been praying off and on ever since I woke up. I've got to be more active.

A cup of tea? That would be nice.

A book? Nah, I have to pay attention to the time and I would get lost in the story.

A cup of tea and music it is.

I got up and went to the replicator. "Black tea with lemon and honey...please." I told it and it produced what I asked for a second later. I still hadn't got the replicator to produce a mess of catheads. The one time I tried it, I screamed. On what planet do they eat cat's heads? I shuddered at the memory. Taking my cup of tea to the desk and chair, I sat quietly while sipping the steaming liquid. It was warm and soothed me from my toes to my nose. I've always liked the quiet. There's no one's expectations I have to up hold, no one's lustful emotions to force myself to ignore, and I can just be me.

I finished my tea and returned my cup to the replicator to dispose of it. I got my mandolin from its stand beside my desk and played until it was time to get ready to leave. I, reluctantly, replaced my instrument and put on that dreaded uniform. I braided my hair, brushed my teeth, and decided to skip the makeup. After I zipped up my boots, I grabbed my PADD to look up where the Professor lived, it was just a stone's throw away on the other side of campus in Briggium Manor. Slightly nervous, I pressed the door alarm. What was today going to be like?

"Good morning, Cadet, please come in."

"Thank you, Sir." I entered his living room. Much like his office, his home was warm, staged with mahogany furniture and sparsely decorated with pieces of Vulcan art. He sat in a chair and I took the couch.

"Before we begin, I want you to be aware of how I will be guiding you." he waited for acknowledgement.

"Alright" I answered with a nod.

"Our time will be spent in verbal instruction and application. I will guide you through meditation practices and assign you reading from the teachings of Surak"

"Yes Sir."

"Please follow me."

Professor Spock guided me to a secluded area of his apartment. This area was darkened, had pillows on the floor, and there were candles. I began to feel odd seeing this area. It was not something I had expected.

"Sir, this particular area of your home seems...too private for me to be privy to seeing."

"Cadet, this area is meant for meditation. Meditation is normally done in seclusion, however, since I will be teaching you, you have permission to be here."

"I understand." I nodded slowly.

Professor Spock continued to teach me how to sit so my legs wouldn't fall asleep and what to focus or not focus on while attempting to achieve a mental higher plane. It was difficult, but once I reached it, I wanted to stay in that bliss for eternity. Unfortunately after 15 minutes I started crying from finally finding peace.

"Cadet Davis?"

Slowly I came down from my cloud and opened my eyes. "After all these years, I was able to have a little peace but once I found it, I started crying. I could feel it slipping away and the tighter I held onto it, the quicker I lost it."

"I understand. It was much the same for me when I was first learning to control my emotions." He stood and turned toward me with his hands behind his back. "If you would please follow me, I will show you the text I would like you to study for next week."

I stood to follow and as he turned, he placed his hands in front of himself. Unless he was carrying something, I noticed, he never let anyone see his hands. I wondered why this was. I know that we're touch telepaths, but why the secrecy? I followed him to his bookshelf and he handed me a book, an actual book! My eyes lit up, I had seen very few books while growing up and he was trusting me with one of his.

"This is a translated copy of The Teachings of Surak. You will read the first five sections for next Saturday and then we will discuss what you've read. The translations are not quite as accurate in Standard but they convey the meaning of the Vulcan language adequately." He explained.

"Sir, thank you so much."

"Thanks are unnecessary. You are in need of instruction in the ways of Vulcan. It was logical for me to teach you as I am your professor and your adviser."

"Sir, where I grew up, if someone has given something to someone else, be it an object or their time, it is polite to say 'thank you'."

"Then you are welcome, Cadet Davis."