The Prince

Chapter 8

Spock had had his fare share of lovers. He was certainly nowhere near many of his male companions, who gloated openly about their nightly conquests. To Spock, such encounters were private, and the few that he had had, he held in sincere regard. They were always with women outside of Starfleet, for, Spock had seen first- hand the problems that dating "inside the office" so to say, could cause. And he'd seen enough destroyed careers and broken emotions to know to stay away from such activities.

So, he did not consider women as "notches" to be made "under his belt" or however the human adage went.

He had been teaching at the academy a full two years and in that time he had managed to earn a reputation as the most-difficult, intimidating professor at the entire academy. He had a 75-percent failure rate in his classes.

Any other teacher with a failure rate that high would be questioned, most likely dismissed, but his superiors saw that although Spock's classes and curriculum were demanding, they were well suited for his field. And there was another reason…although most of the students in Commander Spock's class failed, those that didn't, had gone on to serve on the best ships and were considered the most sought-after cadets in the fleet.

In fact, it had been said by the students themselves, that if you made it through Commander Spock's class, your career in service was set.

It was in this second year that one such cadet was sitting center front on the first day of class.

It was not the cadet herself that caught his attention, but her proximity. Never had a student ever sat in the front row of his class. This was certainly different.

More cadets filed into the classroom. This was his Vulcan Three Course- reserved for the most serious of students. Most of those in his class now he had taught for Vulcan One and Two and they were as familiar with his strait-forward, no-nonsense teaching style as he was personally aquainted with each of their academic strengths and weakness from prior classes. There were twelve students in all.

Which brought him back to the cadet at the front of his class. He had not seen her in any of his previous courses. And since he was the only person who taught the language, he logically concluded she must be misplaced.

He looked at his roster. Cadet Murphy, Cadet Upshaw, Cadet Louis…ah. The name of the mysterious cadet.

Stepping back from behind his podium he approached the center row. Cadet Uhura, I presume. Uhura stood quickly attention. 'Cadet Uhura here sir". He had the opportunity to study her. "At ease".

He continued. Cadet, I do not know if you are aware, but this class is for students who are highly proficient in Vulcan. All have been in Vulcan One and Two before, and as I have never seen you in either class, as I am the only professor to teach said courses, I believe you may be misplaced".

Spock's tone was so deadpan that Uhura blinked in disbelief before quickly composing herself. She responded in what she thought, was flawless Vulcan, "Sir, I have tested out of both classes. I am a second year cadet, my study is linguistics. I also tested out of this course, but was not pleased with my score. So I have petitioned to be placed in here. With your permission, of course."

Spock was intrigued. Her diction was almost flawless.

He decided on a quick test, and replied in a different dialect. "Your grasp of standard is impressive. Where did you glean such knowledge?"

Cadet Uhura replied in the same dialect. "I posses two degrees from the University of Tiblisi in Africa. One in Alien Languages and Syntax, the other in Cross-Cultural relations."

The University of Tiblisi. Spock knew for fact that the school had one of the best language programs on Earth, second only to Starfleet, and third to the Vulcan Science Academy. Fascinating.

Spock switched to a third dialect. "I have been assured of your intent. Your knowledge skill in Vulcan is highly advanced. Tell me, how many dialects of Vulcan are you proficient in?"

Uhura answered in kind. "All three sir."

Spock merely raised an eyebrow. He paused a moment, before returning to Vulcan standard.

"Very well. You request to attend my class has been granted"

It was simple. What he didn't say aloud was that of the students in the class, none had gotten past standard and dialect one. This cadet had them all down flawlessly.

By the middle of the semester six of the original 13 students had withdrawn. His midterm exam was sure to claim another two or three. With meant, he would be left with only five students. After grading those midterms, he was not surprised to see Cadet Uhura was one of his remaining five.

He raised an eyebrow.

II

By the second semester of his third year of teaching Spock had found himself to be in need of an assistant. Not only was he working the Kobyashi Maru, but also Vulcan and Romulan 1,2 and 3, and he had just been recruited to teach basic mechanical theory. The subject's original teacher had fallen ill with Rigilian Fever. He was also in the midst of several academic papers he'd been working on. Spock was used to multi-tasking and he felt he was managing quite well until his mentor Captain Pike had stopped by his office one day.

Spock was busy at his workstation when Captain Pike entered, and he nodded in acknowledgement before turning back to the consol. Pike sat down and waited on the Vulcan to stop. After about five minutes of verbal silence, with only the faint hum of a padd in the air, Pike decided to get up and walk around. He liked to rummage around the office when he came, picking things up and putting them down again. Spock didn't really understand the motion, since there was no logic in it, but it seemed his mentor needed to touch things. So, he didn't mind. It was when Pike saw a Padd on an empty desk in the corner and read what was on it that he interrupted the silence.

"Spock are you trying to kill yourself? When do you have time to sleep?" Spock looked up from his console, his arched eyebrows furrowing slightly. "What are you talking about Captain?"

"I am talking about this schedule! That's what Im talking about. A day consists of 24 hours and you have managed to create a 25 hour day in each with the massive amount of scheduling you have here!"

"Captain, as you well know, Vulcans require…" he was cut off by Pike. "only a quarter of the amount of sleep a human does, yea I know Spock., but I also know you're half-human"

It got quiet in the office, as Spock stared at Pike from his console. Instantly the Captain grew contrite.

"Spock, I apologize. I should not have brought that up. I know you are sensitive to…" This time it was Spock who interrupted. "No need to apologize. One has to have feelings on the subject matter for them to be offended. Apologizing is illogical ." Spock's voice was a monotone, but his eyes conveyed much more. Anger, uneasiness, and outright indignation. Pike changed the subject quickly to diffuse the tension in the air.

"Spock, you are my friend. I don't want you working yourself to death. Get an assistant. That's an order"

It was that same afternoon that Cadet Uhura walked into his office with a question on a complex set of sentence structure rules that Spock realized he had the best candidate for the job in front of him.

III

He found having Uhura as his assistant greatly reduced his administrative backlog, freeing him to be able to focus more on his academic works. She graded the papers, hosted tutorials and even transcribed many of his notes. With the burden lifted, Spock was able to finish and publish four new scientific theories in numerous publications by the end of the semester. Without her, he had to admit, they may not have made it in before the end of the year.

He had to admit, she was an asset to him. Uhura would work in silence next to him, methodically grading papers, taking his calls. And in the interim, when there was nothing to do, she would study. He found himself watching her lips move as she worked through complex passages on her PADD, enjoying the way her brow furrowed in concentration as she rested her elbow on the desk, chin in hand, head slightly cocked to the side, revealing the graceful curves of her neck.

He was Vulcan, not blind, or dead. And he knew he better get himself under control before….

Before what? He asked himself. Cadet Uhura had shown no interest in him, outside of their professional relationship. And thinking back to his mishap with Leila, he should have wanted to keep it that way.

Keyword should have Spock thought ruefully. Damn his human side.

IV

He was like a mystery to her. At times, she almost considered him a friend- albeit, a very non-traditional one. He was Vulcan, for one thing. And to many people, it made him seem so cold. But she saw through that façade. She knew he was vulernable, but wouldn't express it. She knew when people whispered behind his back, he heard them, and was hurt, but wouldn't express it. And many times she'd caought him staring at her out the corner of her eye, but when she turned to meet his gaze, he'd look away suddenly. And Uhura had to wonder if maybe she wasn't imagining that. But there was no doubt that he had emotions. Although no one seemed to notice them.

She didn't understand why. All one had to do was to look in his eyes. They were beautiful, she thought. Beautiful brown eyes. She'd never seen any Vulcan with eyes so…human. But he wasn't. Although, at times…

Some days when it was quiet in his office, he would rest his elbows on his desk, fingers pointed together, lips pursed. And she'd watch him, deep in thought, and notice those eyes. They'd become very sad, angry. And just as quickly, it would fade. And he'd return to his normal, blank look. But sometimes, when certain subjects were brought up, she'd see a dark cloud of emotions gather in those eyes, and if the conversation was extended, they'd turn from a light brown to a cauldrony black.

She began noting what topics those were: Discussions of Vulcan. Ambassador Sarek in particular.

It was one of those days that she'd caught him in one of his contemplative moods, that she decided to act.

"Spock?" she asked, shocking him out of his thoughts. He blinked at her, looking up. "Would you like to come with me to get some tea?"

Spock looked at her slowly, turning his head to the side, as if analyzing her question to determine its validity.

After a brief pause, he spoke. "Cadet, I don't believe that would be beneficial to you, nor professional…"

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Spock, I am asking you as a friend. I've been your student for a year and your aide for another one. I work with you daily. Nothing more than that. I know when you're tired, and right now, something is weighing your mind. I suggest tea. As friends. Now, let's go"

It was a command, not a request. And had it been any other cadet, Spock would have declined. However, for some reason, he could not refuse her. Perhaps it was because she'd called him a friend. With the exception of Captain Pike, he'd had none.

Suddenly Spock realized, he was lonely. He brushed the thought aside. He was willing to be her friend as long as she'd have him. He felt another emotion- possessiveness. As long as she was his friend, he'd protect her.

It would be the first of many tea "dates" they'd have over the next few months of their newfound friendship.

They talked about everything and nothing during those times. Theories, recent research reports they'd read, and Nyota (as they were now on a first-name basis) told him about his family. He talked about his first mission with Pike, told her stories about space, his time as a cadet at the academy (he skirted talks of his family and Leila), and even some about Vulcan.

He enjoyed his time with her. Uhura could tell. And she was glad. He'd never express his most intimate thoughts with her, but she could read his eyes and tell. When she called him "friend" they'd light up. And she felt happy tingles on her skin when he was around her during their "tea" time. She was sure it wasn't the San Francisco breeze. No, it was something more that made her body react like that. And it only happened in his proximity.

Their relationship quickly grew. And the two became almost inseparable. She spent her off hours in his office. He'd see her daily in the communications lab. She was always requested for Kobyashi Maru simulations. They crossed paths frequently. It was on one such occasion that Captain Pike happened to be walking by. He saw them.

V

He noticed his friend first, walking slowly, much slower than his usual pace, his head down, seemingly in an intimate conversation with the woman next to him. If it were anyone else observing, they'd only see a teacher talking to a student. But Pike knew his friend. No…this definitely wasn't platonic by any means on his part. And the Cadet. Pike looked closely. Ah, Cadet Uhura he realized. The woman was smart, off the charts smart. Her Kobyashi Maru grades, high. She was well on her way to becoming the best linguist the academy had ever known, having mastered over 75 languages. She was a talented, driven, no-nonsense kind of woman. Not to mention beautiful. He'd heard the reports of her near-legendary rejections of men. From the simple insults, down to the backhands and punches. Apparently, one had to approach her the right way.

He smiled a bit at the sight. She was looking up at him, head thrown back in a fit of laughter. Pike blinked, trying to clear his eyes. Had she laughed at something the Commander had said? Spock? Crack a joke? He watched as she leaned in a little closer, her hand slightly grazing his.

Pike knew from experience Spock didn't like to be touched, but he seemed to relish the contact. They parted, she going one way, he going another.

Hmmm…Pike knew his first officer well. He knew that while many thought Vulcans cold and unemotional, they had needs. The same as any Earth man. And Spock had definitely had his fare share. He knew the Commander was too professional to get himself into anything with a cadet, and the cadet he was with was the same. But still...maybe he should issue a reminder.

Plus, there was another matter he needed to discuss with Spock. He was rather dreading that one.