After what seemed like an eternity, the day had finally arrived. Arietta had spent her weekend desperately procrastinating yet again, with a final burst of panicked packing starting at about 2100 hours on Sunday night. T'Lin, with her bags neatly stacked in one corner of the room, had watched her, typical expression of dismissive observance plastered across her face. But as soon as Arietta had stood up, throwing the last dirty, wadded-up sock into her last haphazard bag, the Vulcan had crossed the room and reluctantly, haltingly drew her into an awkward hug, stunning her.
"I am better for having had the experience of cohabiting with you." T'Lin had said, backing away, again arranging her face into neutrality.
"I am honored you chose to suffer through my existence for the last four years." Arietta said, giggling nervously.
"I did not 'suffer'." T'Lin corrected gently. "It was a fascinating exercise in… broadening my cultural boundaries. I believe my interactions with many cultures will be smoothed by the flexibility and adaptation I have grown accustomed to exercising."
"I… Thanks?" Arietta wasn't sure it was a compliment.
"I will see you in the future. The Enterprise will surely bring you to New Vulcan more frequently than you fear it will."
"I hope so. I haven't been off-world in ages."
The pair fell silent. It was going to be strange, tomorrow. Arietta would have completely new quarters. She wondered how long it would take before they felt as much like home as this room did, with its haze of Vulcan incense.
"Arietta." T'Lin began, breaking the silence of Arietta's reverie.
"Hm?"
"I have observed your behavior for four years now. I know you, like most humans, have many things on your mind in a moment such as this, and you do not have the benefit of our years of emotional control… To 'ease your mind', as you might say, I thought perhaps you should know… There is no need for you to experience such anxiety in the presence of Commander Spock. He does appear to… favor his interactions with you."
"What do you mean 'favor'?!" Arietta exploded, nerves suddenly jangling all over again.
T'Lin responded only with the slightest smirk and a cocked eyebrow.
A/N: This is a shorty, sorry. It was supposed to be part of a larger chapter, but upon re-reading the whole thing together, this bit doesn't really flow directly into the next bit, so it will be a chapter all its own. You lucky ducks.