It's official, I love this story. I don't know why. I just do. I hope you similarly enjoy it. :D


The second time Spock saw Jim, he was sitting at one of the tables set up in Main Hall, filling in the last of his paperwork.

Spock pulled on the hem of his black instructors uniform, undecided. Meditation had only shed light on his own reactions to the cadet. He had no real idea of how he was to address the problem.

And there was a problem.

At this moment, he couldn't focus enough to remember what exactly the problem was. Not when he was right there; close enough to touch.

He blinked away the need and walked forward. There was only one way he would get the answers he sought and there was no time like the present. Or however the Human saying went.

He stood patiently in front of Jim's desk and looked over his paperwork.

Each paper was topped with the gold command track heading. Dark eyes roamed over the numerous sheets, two were academic acknowledgements, used when a cadet wanted to 'test out' of a subject. The uncovered one was lined in red, clearly stating Engineering across the top. The other was partially covered, however Spock would recognise it anywhere. He had written it two months previously. There was a brief twinge in his side as he read the beginnings of the Xenolinguistics results. Perfect scores for more languages than anyone on the command track was encouraged to speak. One was a psychology evaluation, with a bright recommendation. Another was a volunteer sheet, filled in for submission as a teaching aid for the advanced hand to hand combat course. Yet another, the standard IQ test, the result covered by a form filled with personal information.

It was a shame. Spock was curious about this, he tilted his head slightly, James Tiberius Kirk.

After several minutes of simply looking through Jim's various forms, he decided to simply ask.

"Cadet, why would someone lie?" He straightened his spine, hands loose behind his back. He watched the cadet intently, cataloguing everything he did. He needed to understand why someone would break rules put in place for their safety. The thought of Jim being hurt because he didn't listen, thought himself above others, was painful.

Jim looked up. His eyes widened in recognition and fear. He seemed to gather himself before answering.

"People lie for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's because they're selfish and want to spare themselves pain or heartache. Other times they might think it's for the best, because the people around them might not be able to understand the truth." Spock thought about that, it still didn't answer his question.

"Why would you lie?"

Jim's hands shook, just slightly. Spock wanted to reach out and stop them, entwine the tanned digits with his own.

"I, I'm no better or worse than any other Human. I want to do what I'm meant to do. I'm not meant to be planetside. The stars, exploration, it's in my blood. I need it. Maybe that doesn't make sense to a Vulcan but-"

"I think I understand." Spock cut Jim off. The Human had begun to hyperventilate as he tried to explain. Spock understood. He was a scientist, an explorer by definition. He could respect Jim's answer.

"I suggest you be careful, cadet. It would be most unfortunate if one was to get hurt."

Jim watched him with shiny eyes, considering. Eventually he nodded.

"If you ever require assistance, feel free to come see me. I too undertook an accelerated program."

Spock nodded to Jim, pleased to see the happy, surprised expression on his face.

"Man, I've been worrying about you for days. Are all Vulcan's this awesome? I thought you guys were like, emotionless logic machines or something?" There was a fluttering in his side; his heart rate had increased by 15.62%. No one had ever- this was not the usual reaction to yet another momentary loss of logic.

"It is a common misconception, one which we do not discourage. In truth, Vulcan emotions run deep and are rather volatile. Logic and emotional suppression are paramount to our cultural survival. Without it, we would have destroyed ourselves hundreds of years ago."

"So, logic's more important to Vulcans than being all smart and condescending?" Something in Jim's eyes looked troubled. Spock inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"So, lies are illogical." Jim waited for Spock's acceptance before continuing.

"Isn't omission a lie? Why aren't you telling anyone about... me?" Any confusion cleared as Jim's line of thought became clear.

"I believe in you." Spock nodded at the startled cadet before turning and walking out of the hall. Under the shade of a large oak, he resumed breathing deeply. He now had a rather large block of free time and nothing to do.

He dug his PADD from his bad and checked his messages.

Four were from one of the Engineering graduates. He had another seventeen in his deleted folder. On a whim, he opened the latest.

The contents were unusual and compelling. Perhaps he should meet up with this, Montgomery Scott, and listen to his transwarp theory. It would prove to be a distraction from the compelling James Kirk, at the very least.

It was 10:43, he was due in the Engineering building across campus in 6.2 minutes. Mind set on his course of action, he turned and made his way across the green.


Spock's chapters are so short! I tried. We'll get there, eventually.