Spock glanced over the half yearly reports of his second year science class. If Spock was not Vulcan he'd be impressed. Class results were quite satisfactory. Something Spock did not expect after the events two months past. Humans were very emotional and were subject to let these emotions interfere with their jobs & education and after the chaos and death responsible by Nero it was logical for overall scores to lower. It was normal that terrans grieved for prolonged periods of time if friends, fathers, siblings or mothers died.

He felt a pang of grief.

mother!

arms stretched out

martial slipping through his fingers

no...no no

Spock had lost his own mother in the destruction of Vulcan. Fortunately his father, most of the Vulcan high council plus precious few others had escaped before a black hole devoured his home planet. The emptiness and despair he had felt since the death of his human mother came back with a vengeance. Spock straightened his back and pushed those feelings out of his head. Such emotions were highly illogical. Vulcans did not feel. It distracted from chores at hand, decreased job efficiency and mentally unbalanced you.

A knock sounded at the door. Spock did not have any appointments due so wondered as who the intruder might be.

"You may come in"

The door opened to reveal golden hair, bright blue eyes and a blinding smile. It was James Tiberus Kirk.

"May I inquire as to what is the propose of your visiting?"

Kirk stayed silent walking in and stuffing his hands in his pockets; a boyish action at odds with the mature expression on his face. A mixture of emotions Spock could not name.

Kirk stood there eyes trained on Spock's face. Feeling like he was been studied Spock wiped his face of all emotion. Face neutral he gestured to one of the chairs opposite his desk speaking again.

"Would you like to sit down cadet Kirk?"

Kirk inclined his head blue eyes never wavering and smiled slightly but did sit down crossing his arms.

"Please call me Jim" waving one of his hands in front of his face.

Slightly nonplussed Spock let out a breath he did not know he was holding. Ignoring the offer Spock asked again.

"What is the reason of your visit Mr Kirk?"

Silence met his question, kirk looking like he was making a decision. Knowing this was not a social call Spock waited. Kirk spoke suddenly.

"How have you been since…um..you know?"

Spock did know. The destruction of Vulcan.

"I have been in perfect health"

"You know that's not what I meant" countered Kirk.

"There is nothing to be concerned with, we Vulcans have found a new planet to inhabit, our essence and culture will be protected by the High Council. There is nothing wrong. I am well"

Kirk didn't look convinced but dropped it anyway.

"Yes I heard you were gonna go and help set up the new colony"

"It is the logical choice"

Silence fell again. Kirk absorbing the new information.

"Did you know they are giving me the Enterprise?"

Spock blinked. Starfleet must be struggling to give their flagship to reckless impulsive Kirk.

"Yes well they seemed to think I deserved it for some reason" Kirk responded to Spock's silence if showing miraculous insight to his thoughts.

"And I'll try my damnest to prove them right" he added a stubborn line set to his jaw.

"Congratulations Mr Kirk but I'm assuming that's not what you have come here to tell me"

"No it isn't" he replied a grin lighting up his face, impossibly blue eyes intently looking at him under golden hair.

If Starfleet had to choose someone to be their face of the public they could've chosen worse.

"I have come to request that you be my first officer"

A second blink.

"That would be illogical since my presence is needed in the colony and you would be more suited to someone that matches your particular captaining style and expertise"

Kirk's grin didn't move not offended like other humans would have been.

"Ah yes you know me though, I like a challenge"

"Regardless of accepting that fact I'm afraid I must decline"

Kirk took a PADD out of his pocket, fiddling with the edges.

"Isn't being afraid an emotion? I thought Vulcans weren't supposed to have emotions" he teased.

"Merely trying to convey a human idiom"

"Oh sure" Kirk smirked. "I'll pretend for your sake to believe that"

Spock stiffened swallowing back a scathing reply. He must need to meditate if one sentence could rile him. He wondered why he reacted at all to the remark. But then again it was Jim Kirk and he always had an annoying ability to incite a response from him.

He said tensely "Is there anything else you wish to say? You've inquired how I've been, told me of your impending promotion and asked me to be your first officer of which I've said no, what can there…"

"Did you know that McCoy disapproved of me coming here for that reason?" Kirk interrupted. "He thinks we'll tear each other apart in command"

"Then why did you come here?" Spock asked curious.

"Because I believe he's wrong" Kirk replied simply.

"My answer is still negative"

Kirk nodded if he had known what the answer would be. Suddenly he put away his PADD standing up.

Laughing he said "OK I'll go now but you know I'm not giving up right? I can be very persuasive when I wanna be"

"I don't doubt it"

"Great" Kirk acting not the least bit down by Spock's rejection. He walked gracefully to the door and stopped turning around.

Kirk Vulcan saluted him. "Goodbye Spock"

Startled he managed to return the salute, how the (using a human expression) hell did he know that! When he had looked up to the doorway again Kirk was gone.

Spock picked up the papers eyes flickering to the door if expecting Kirk to march through the door to announce he was joking. Some human practical jokes were quite bizarre. He returned to the papers shuffling them.

Fascinating.