Disclaimer : This belongs to Paramount

*******

"You look aesthetically pleasing."

Nyota gave a toothy grin and shook her head. From Spock that was the equivalent to getting a Shakespearean sonnet. She smoothed down her black and silver dress with the sparkling silver coat jacket that she had picked out just for this date. It took a lot of effort to hide this particular dress from her roommate Gaila, not just to avoid questions about why she had brought it in the first place but also because she didn't want her roommate to "borrow" it. From Spock's stare she figured she had picked a winner.

If dating Spock had taught her one thing it was that his face, impassive to outsiders, was as expressive as anyone else if you knew how to read him. A slight crease in his eyebrow was an invitation to kiss. A modest uptick from his lips meant he found something outrageously amusing. And the look he was giving her now, his eyelids slightly lowered and his lips in determined line?

Oh, she had picked the right dress. She was glad they were in public.

"Thank you, Spock. You look rather dashing yourself."

He did. He blue tunic suited him just right and his boots were shined to an inch of their lives. Her eyes went to the medallion on his chest.

"You're wearing your IDIC medallion. What's the special occasion?"

It was then she noticed that he had had his hands behind his back as if he were hiding something from her. Nyota looked at her surroundings.

Water fountain. Check.

Paris background. Check.

Nighttime. Check.

"Uhm….Spock. I hope that isn't what I think it is."

Spock tilted his head in confusion and then straightened it as if an idea had come to his head. The corner of his mouth rose in a smirk.

"Nyota, matrimony was not on my mind."

Uhura let out a breath that she didn't know that she was holding. "Whew."

"I merely wished to present you with an achievement that I received from Lieutenant Lorne."

Lieutenant Lorne? Why would Spock be giving her something from Lieutenant Lorne? He wasn't her instructor anymore and he had made it clear on several occasions that he would not interfere with her senior thesis. She had done the rest of her thesis on her own without his help or guidance after they had started their relationship. What was this about?

"Lieutenant Lorne gave this to me because he suspected that I would want to know how my former student was doing now that she was no longer in my care. I now present it to you."

Nyota blinked as he presented her with an honor booklet. She lifted the black flap and put her hand on her heart to stop the shock.

"Your thesis has received exemplary marks and Lieutenant Lorne wishes to see it published in Starfleet's Xenolinguistic journal to be peer reviewed."

Nyota looked up at Spock with tears welling up in her eyes. He placed his hands behind his back once again.

"I…oh my god…I."

"You are an exceptional cadet, Nyota and you will make an exceptional officer. I wear my IDIC medallion tonight to honor your achievements and my own."

Nyota wiped her tears away and took in the information. She had worked what she had felt her entire life for this moment. For this validation. And now she had achieved part of what she wanted. It felt…good. She thought for another moment and paused.

"Wait. You said your achievement too? "

"Indeed. I have learned today that I will be stationed on the U.S.S Enterprise as Chief Science Officer and second in command under Captain Christopher Pike once the Enterprise is completed."

"Spock!" Nyota wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm so proud of you!"

She felt small pressure on her back from his hands and closed her eyes. This was perfect.

"Nyota, we must go inside the dining facilities so we may eat. Our reservations call for us to be there at 1920 hours."

Nyota kissed his right cheek and rubbed her forehead against his.

"We can wait a few minutes. Take in the moment."

Spock closed his eyes and silently agreed.

******

"Coat check, Madame."

"Yes." Nyota began to take off her coat but Spock stilled her hands and helped her take of the remainder of coat himself. Nyota gave a small grin.

"I see you've been watching those Earth movies again. That's a new one."

"I am performing well, am I not?"

"Doing a great job, babe."

Spock slid her coat into a small metal tube and watched it float up and onto a metal surface. It then floated to another room.

"Madam and Monsieur, enjoy your time at the Chateau Malabar." The mechanical voice answered.

"This looks like it will be a very nice pick on your part Spock."

"I had observed many reviews. This is perceived to be one of the best restaurants in Paris."

"I would enjoy anywhere you were Spock."

Spock raised his eyebrow. "Fascinating."

As Nyota turned to go into exit the lobby and go into the main entrance of the Malabar she had taken only a glimpse through the glass doors that were between the outside and the coat check area. What she saw there made her pause. Spock bumped into her back.

"Nyota, what is wrong?"

It couldn't be. She could not be seeing the man she thought she was seeing walking towards the restaurant in a flashy tux by himself. Nyota took in a deep breath.

Some men had a certain swagger about them that you could spot from miles away. Their bravado was on display the moment you met them. Nyota had met many men of this caliber in her life and had a certain disliking of them. But none quite so much as this one with his dark blonde hair and baby blue eyes. With his charming ways that had deceived and seduced many women on campus, including some of her very close friends, he had earned a certain reputation around the Academy. If you wanted to have a good time, he was the one to see. If you wanted anything like a commitment or some sense of seriousness, find someone else. All of life was a game to this man and everyone else was a part of his show.

She did not want to deal with him. Especially at this moment.

"Jim Kirk. Of all the places, in all the world, this jerk picks this one." Nyota sighed.