Author's note: Hey everyone! Thanks for all the lovely comments so far, they're really appreciated! This is another out of movie scene. It is slightly different from the movie, but in essence, that's part of fanfiction! Hope you enjoy the new chapter !


Nyota smiled as she continued to run around the Academy. It was her third year here, and she had a feeling that it was going to be a good year. After the (embarrassing) ending of last summer (with her last day of fainting and having to be carried to the infirmary by Commander Spock), she had thrown herself more intently into studying over the summer, and resulting with a few propositions for her senior thesis that she would be conducting next year.

She had spent the summer at home in Africa, glad for the chance to be home again. As much as she loved the Academy (which she also deemed her second home), there was just something about home home that she couldn't ever let go. It wasn't the place, it was her family that made it special and she knew that no matter what she did, she would always have that place. Her Mother would always be there, as would her Father and the rest of her family. Just thinking about them made her smile.

She continued running along the path around the Linguistics building. Running made her feel free, and cleared her mind. As much as it took time out of her study schedule, it actually helped her release excess energy and enabled her to focus on her work.

She finally took a break as she passed the Science Research into Quantum Warping Building, pausing to lean against the railing as she looked at the San Francisco Bay. She knew that'd she'd miss places like this when she was up in space, but there was the unavoidable thrill of space that she couldn't ignore. The chance to explore the final frontier, explore where no one else had been before; discovering new languages and new people.

"Uhura!"

And new idiots. She scowled and turned towards the direction of the voice. Of course it would be Cadet Kirk. No matter what she did, she couldn't seem to shake that guy. She knew what he wanted though, and she wasn't prepared to give it to him. He was the type of person who thrilled in the chase, and walked when it was over. She wasn't interested at all in him though. She knew what type of person she wanted to date, and she wasn't settling for anything less.

"Yes?" She inquired coolly when he got close enough to talk without her yelling (something which she might do anyway, depending on what he had to ask her).

"Message for you from Commander Spock." He handed her a PADD.

She looked at it, and saw a picture of a naked girl on the screen. "Ew!" She quickly threw the PADD back at him.

He looked down at the PADD to see what had caused her reaction. "Oops?" He said sheepishly.

She glared at him. "Message?" She prompted.

"Oh, right. Something about grading papers and he didn't see yours?"

Nyota gaped at him. "Why on earth would he send you with that message?"

"Well -"

Nyota cut him off. "Never mind." She took off running back to the Linguistics building.

Her thoughts ran through her mind furiously as she ran. She had sent him all the appropriate papers required for extra credit (she didn't need it, but she wanted her mark as high as possible), and she had turned in all her papers at the end of class. She couldn't think what on earth it was about, and she didn't really want to talk to him right now because she wasn't dressed in appropriate attire, otherwise known as standard regulation running shorts and shirt, and she was dripping with sweat. However, she knew that there was no way she wanted to delay this, and she wanted to talk to him as soon as possible.

She entered the Linguistics building and quickly ran to the second floor where his office was located and down the hall. She knocked on his door lightly.

"Enter." Came the Commander's monotonous voice.

She walked into his office quietly, appreciating the Commander's preference for order.

"Cadet Uhura." He inclined his head to her in greeting.

"Good afternoon, Commander Spock." She smiled at him.

"Please take a seat." He indicated an empty chair in front of his desk. "How may I be of assistance, Cadet?"

"I was running this morning when Cadet Kirk informed me that you had not received a paper of mine?" She frowned at him in confusion.

He stared back at her, and although his facial expression did not change, she thought she saw a glimmer of annoyance in her eyes.

"I did not inform Cadet Kirk of any such thing," he calmly informed her. "I am unable to conclude how he received that message as I have not talked to him for at least one standard week."

Nyota was confused. Why on earth had Kirk said that her paper hadn't been received when he hadn't even talked to Commander Spock?

After a couple seconds of silence, Commander Spock cleared his throat. "Is that all, Cadet?"

Nyota shook her head. "Yes, I'm sorry to have bothered you Commander. I too am unable to understand how Cadet Kirk assumed that."

"Perhaps he may have been walking by when I happened to be discussing your work with another instructor." Spock suggested.

"That might be possible," Nyota agreed. "Although I wonder why my papers would have been discussed."

"Most likely because they are of the highest quality, Cadet, and are most engaging to read."

Nyota blinked. "Thank you, Commander," she stammered. "Although I am sure that there are much better paper's than mine."

"No thanks necessary, Cadet Uhura. Your work is most efficient for a Cadet and could easily be mistaken for that of a trained Star Fleet officer."

"Thank you, Commander Spock." Her head spun. Commander Spock had actually said her work was interesting!

"Again, no thanks necessary, Cadet. Although," he tilted his head to the side slightly, "I believe in this situation, most humans would also say, you are welcome."

Nyota smiled. "I'm sorry again for the confusion, Commander, and I look forward to our lecture this afternoon." She rose to leave.

"No apologies necessary, Cadet. It was Cadet Kirk's fault for assuming. I am sure he of all people is aware of what assuming can do."

"Make an ass out of me and you?" Nyota supplied.

"Indeed." The Commander's eyes glimmered, and she thought she saw a twinkle of amusement. "Good morning, Cadet."

"Good morning, Commander." She nodded her thanks once more, and left the room.


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