A/N: Hello! I have a new one-shot. Yay! This is a Spock x Uhura one-shot. I figured that I haven't made one of those in a while! :) This was inspired by quite a few TOS episodes. I am a musician, so after seeing a few shows where Spock played the Vulcan Lyre and the piano (I play the harp and the piano), I was inspired to write about what I know most: music. It also seems that music is very special to Spock too.

I would like to give a shout out to ShadowBrook17, who was the 100th reviewer! In case you didn't know, I usually give a shout out for the 100th reviewer. Then I usually give shout outs to the 150th, the 200th, and so on... Keep on reviewing... Who knows, maybe you'll see your username in one of the future author's notes!

Enjoy! Please read and review, it really means a lot to know you like my work!

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek...


Piano


Spock, the Vulcan took a breath and slowly lifted the midnight black piece of wood into its proper position. Classes had been hectic at Starfleet Academy and he needed to do what he loved in order to feel intact. Mr. Spock took a piece of paper covered with little black spots and placed it on the mantle. He looked down at the black and white keys, lifted his index finger, and struck a pure sounding note on the baby grand piano.

Spock closed his eyes as he listened to the perfection of the note. The sound was loud and vibrant until it grew soft and faded away. He slid his hands over to the sturdy bench, adjusted it to his liking, and sat down. The Vulcan glanced up at the sheet music he had brought with him (although he did not need to bring it. He had the song memorized) and began to play the piece that was from his home planet.

His world changed as he grazed his fingertips over each note, creating a pleasant melody. The only thing that mattered to the Vulcan in that moment was the music's soul pouring into his heart and mind. Spock hummed along with the tune while pressing on the soft pedal gently. As the professor played on, he was unaware that he was being watched.


Nyota Uhura, a Starfleet cadet, was hidden as she leaned against the open doorway to one of the Music Department's practice rooms. The cadet could hardly believe her ears. Her favorite professor, Mr. Spock, was playing the piano.

She had been on her way to the Vulcan's office to get some extra pointers for an upcoming test. Nyota knew that she would be early to meet with Spock, and she was prepared to sit and wait a while before studying. However, the xenolinguistics major wasn't prepared to spot her tutor in the Music Department playing an instrument.

Uhura smiled as the Vulcan changed the tempo of the song and began playing faster and more dramatic. She had to admit that it was a little peculiar hearing Mr. Spock play something else besides his precious Vulcan Lyre.

The cadet had gazed upon her instructor's instrument in her tutoring sessions where the lyre stood proudly in a glass case in the corner of Spock's office. The Vulcan Lyre was a beautiful melodic instrument that looked like a small lap harp with high structural angles. The little harp had twelve strings and three little dials near the top that were for tuning. It certainly was a magnificent mechanism.

Uhura even had the privilege to hear her professor play a song for her. It was a simply stunning experience. Nyota wondered if there was a possibility that Spock could teach her how to play the lyre. She was trying to find the right time to ask the Vulcan.

Nyota peered inside the room a little more to see her professor perform his song. She smiled gently when Spock lifted his head and realized that she was watching. Immediately, he stopped the flowing melody, stood up from the bench, and adjusted his gray uniform.

The Vulcan put his hands behind his back in a military fashion. "Cadet Uhura," he acknowledged quickly. "It must be time to prepare for your upcoming exam." He lifted his head at an angle. "My apologies, I have not arrived to my office on time."

Uhura shook her head, glanced down, and checked her PADD for the time. "There's no need to apologize, Professor Spock." She explained. "It's ten minutes before our arranged time." She gave a shrug. "I'm just early. I was on my way when I passed by and saw you." She said.

"I see," Spock analyzed. "It was a misunderstanding." The Vulcan gestured towards the hallway. "Shall we proceed to my office?" he questioned.

Nyota clutched her textbooks and gave a nod. "I must say though that you are an excellent musician. I didn't know you played the Vulcan Lyre and the piano." She complimented.

Spock moved back towards the piano to push the bench back where it had been. Uhura followed him to glance at the piece he had been playing. "Music has been a part of my life since I was a child. The Vulcan Lyre is a mandatory custom for the adolescence of Vulcan." Spock explained. "I was soon taken with the art the moment I touched the lyre. Soon after mastering the instrument, I began my own study of the piano."

Uhura met Spock's eyes. "It seems like a very purposeful pastime." She agreed.

The Vulcan nodded back as he began to shut the lid to the piano keys, but Uhura stopped him from closing it. "That song you were just playing," she said as she pulled the lid back up, revealing the gleaming black and white keys. "Who was it composed by?" she asked.

The cadet peered at the music, titled "The Elegance of Wisdom", and tried to sight read it. She touched key after key, trying to copy Spock's perfection of tone.

Spock took the song off of its proper place and showed it to her. "It is composed by a Vulcan named Delvok. He is well-known for flowing melodies."

Uhura raised her eyebrows at the information. She had never heard of a Vulcan composing such an emotional song. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "That is a very beautiful piece. It has many emotions to it."

The Vulcan placed the music back on the stand. "Indeed, it has many melodious measures and dynamics."

Another question popped into Uhura's head. "Do you compose music too?" she asked.

"No," Spock said simply. "I have not been given the time to explore that level of creativity in music."

Nyota shrugged back. "Composing isn't too difficult." She admitted. "I took a few musical theory classes here. You can make a song about anything." She paused and suddenly giggled. "I bet I could make a song about you!"

Spock lifted an eyebrow. "That is very fascinating, cadet." He said. "I shall look forward to this song of yours in the future." The Vulcan began to collect his music together and place them in their proper folders.

Nyota grinned. "I imagine that you have competed with your music multiple times. You're really great. You must have spent all of your time practicing." She surmised.

"Your words are very flattering, Cadet Uhura." Spock thanked. "I have only participated in one event. It was the All-Vulcan Music Competition."

"How did you do?" she asked curiously.

"I received a second place in the contest." He replied.

Uhura nodded encouragingly. "I bet first place was not much farther up in points. Who took it?"

He answered simply, as if he had told who the first place winner a million times. "My father." He said.

Her eyes widened. "He was allowed to compete? It wasn't for the children?" she exclaimed.

Spock shook his head. "No, I was an adult at that time. The event was very formal and it was a great honor to receive second place."

She swallowed and gripped her books even tighter. "Congratulations. I know that I could have never played piano in a competition like that. I'd be way too nervous." She said.

Professor Spock gestured to the baby grand piano. "Do you know how to play the piano, Cadet Uhura?" he questioned.

She nodded slightly. "Yes, I took lessons for quite a few years before I came here. Sometimes I can find a teacher in the department to watch over me while I play."

Spock paused and reached into his briefcase filled with papers. After a few minutes of searching, he pulled out a small, green music book. "Would you be interested in playing a small duet along with me?" he asked. "It has been approximately four months and two days since I have been able to find someone to perform with me." he illustrated.

Nyota bit the corner of her lip. "I suppose…" she walked over to the piano bench and sat down next to her professor.

Spock opened the music book and showed her one of the songs. They decided that Uhura would play the upper part of the song and Spock would play the lower half of the piece. After looking over the song and its technical aspects in terms of the repeats and dynamics, the student and the professor began to play.

They played the flowing duet together, each note creating a bond between the two of them. Spock's loud and sturdy base notes competed against Nyota's soft and sweet mezzo piano. Within the timing of the piece, their hands became closer and closer to one another's. Uhura's red fingernails danced among the black and white keys. The tempo suddenly slowed down to a quiet and serene break in the song. The two waited a few beats before slowly bringing the separate parts into one. Spock's secundo rose up two notes while Uhura's primo part was lowered down three half steps. The melody swooned just as the Vulcan's hand glided onto the next key and lightly grazed Uhura's dainty hand.

Spock abruptly stopped playing and froze in place. The professor was a Vulcan, which meant that he was telepathic in his hands. He hadn't prepared to touch his student's hand, and it had surprised him. He had almost entered into Uhura's thoughts.

His student frowned slightly, "Is there something wrong, Professor Spock? Was my timing wrong?" she asked. "Rhythm isn't really my greatest strength."

The Vulcan looked at the piano and then back to Uhura. He shook his head slightly. "It was nothing of great importance. I was simply startled when I mistakenly touched your hand."

Uhura nodded back, realizing what Spock had meant. Telepathic touching was like trespassing into the brain. "Please do know, Professor, that I was not offended by it. It happens when you're playing a duet."

He blinked back. "You are a very talented pianist." He spoke quietly.

She smiled brightly in reply. "Thank you, I love music." The xenolinguistics major looked back to the duet book. "Can we pick up where we stopped?" she inquired.

Spock turned his attention back to the music. "Yes, let's proceed."

With that, the two began playing the luxurious melody once again. Mr. Spock, although still flustered with the encounter with Uhura's hand, continued to play with great emotional dynamics. The Vulcan was pondering while he pounded on the keys about the incident that had happened precisely 18.2 seconds ago. It had seemed that even though he had only tapped Uhura's fingers, he had gotten a strong sense of happiness and admiration from her mind. In fact, the emotions had been so powerful that they had been registered in the Vulcan's mind in an instant. The little touch had felt like a zap or spark. It appeared to him that one of his best students, Nyota Uhura, admired him greatly.

Brow furrowed, Spock began to realize as he hit a loud chord on the keys, that Uhura was a perfect duet partner for the piano. When the song had ended, the Vulcan turned to his student. "Would you be interested to continue playing pieces with me in the future?" he questioned.

Nyota, who was looking at one of the next songs in the book, whipped her head quickly. "Really?! I would really enjoy that!" she exclaimed. She cleared her throat. "Well, actually, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while…" she paused slightly. "Would you be willing to teach me how to play your lyre?"

Spock considered the idea. "If you are willing to play piano with me, then I find it logical to teach you how to operate the lyre."

"Oh, thank you!" Uhura said excitedly.

"I am very happy to do so, cadet." Then he did something that he rarely executed, he gave a very small and thin smile. The Vulcan looked to the piece that his new music student had been examining. "Shall we play some more?" he suggested.

Still bouncing in excitement about his agreement, Nyota nodded quickly and began to play her part. The two continued to play until the sun had gone down and the day had ended. They completely forgot about their tutoring session for the upcoming exam. They were too occupied with the piano.


The End


A/N: Well, that's it! I hope you enjoyed it. I hope that no one was OOC, or my information was wrong. I used Star Trek Wiki a lot. If there is anything incorrect, but please me know in a review. Don't be shy... I will take any kind of advice that will make me a better writer! Until next time...

Catch you later!