Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. A very special thank-you to Fameanon for reviewing multiple times, and thanks to 09sasha for your feedback.

Roxanne took a deep breath and summoned her courage before walking into the Calculus final. It wasn't that she was afraid she would fail, quite the contrary. She felt assured that she would get an A in this class; she was more confident in her ability to pass this class then all her others. This semester would end well, her GPA would be raised a few points and her holidays would be peaceful. Well, perhaps not completely. She had been invited by Sisko's father to have a "beginning-of-the-holidays" dinner in New Orleans, and although Benjamin was still being chilly towards her, she hoped this dinner would see them reconciled.

It wasn't her grades or the upcoming dinner with Ben that made her so nervous. It was facing him again, after searching her memories for the rest of the weekend and trying to come up with some answers, after discovering that she did indeed remember a few things that they had done that night. The very thought made her face feel hot, and she was surprised she didn't run out of the room when she saw him sitting in his usual seat beside hers, waiting for her.

She slid silently into her chair and stared straight ahead, not even bothering to do a last-minute review of her notes. She wanted this test to be over so she could escape him, because this was the only class they shared. Somehow, though, she knew it was futile to avoid him. Somehow she knew he would seek her out, that if she tried to hide he would only pursue her, like a cat chasing a mouse. The thought was both erotic and disturbing, but she set those thoughts aside as the professor told everyone to put their things away.

"I would speak to you after you have completed this exam," Solok murmured to her. She sighed and nodded, then fell silent as the teacher handed her a PADD.

Within an hour she had completed the test, though Solok was done in less than twenty minutes. How Vulcans managed to breeze through difficult and complex equations was beyond her, but she supposed Solok would be more than pleased to answer that question for her. She handed the PADD to the professor and nodded farewell, and the man offered her an encouraging smile and gestured her forward.

"I'm quite impressed with your progress this semester, Ms. Hartman," he murmured. She gave him a wan smile. "Have a good break," he continued, turning back to the stack of PADDs on his desk.

Roxanne quickly exited the classroom and found Solok waiting for her down the hall. He silently led her to an empty corner of the building, then turned to her and raised an eyebrow.

"I did fine, Solok," she said, her smile sincere even though her voice was tired. "Great, actually. A-plus, no sweat."

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and he raised her chin with two fingers before leaning down and giving her a gentle kiss.

"I'm pleased," he purred, his lips still touching hers. Before she could respond, he had claimed her lips again, and he did not release her for a good five minutes. He finally pulled away and she gasped for breath, and his eyes sparkled in amusement.

"If you have any more problems with your classes, don't hesitate to ask for help," he murmured. "I'm sure we can arrange something."

She knew he was teasing her, but even so, it rubbed her in a strange way. Suddenly she had an idea.

Roxanne pushed him against the wall and pressed her mouth hard to his, and she took perverse pleasure in the sound of his surprised gasp. She was rewarded with his strong grip and eager lips, and she made the kiss more aggressive, more passionate, even pressing her body firmly against his.

As she intensified the moment, she could smell his musky scent grow stronger, and it seemed to her that it became hotter, spicier, infused with some foreign incense she couldn't identify. Even his lips seemed to taste spicier as she put her leg between his and applied gentle but firm pressure. He breathed in sharply through his nose and began nipping at her lips with his teeth, and she realized belatedly the severity of the effect she had on him. She was toying with a man who had three times her strength and twice her agility, and her realization was reaffirmed when he abruptly pulled away and switched places with her before she could blink. Now she was the one pressed against the wall, and his eyes glittered, the steel gray consumed by his black pupils.

"We should cease this, Roxanne," he growled, digging his fingers into her thighs, and she winced slightly as he pressed against sore bruises. "Else I will be very tempted to take the appropriate actions, and you are already pushing my control."

She grinned at that statement and leaned closer. "Am I really?" Before he could respond, she pulled him back into their kiss, gently biting his lower lip and aggressively exploring his mouth with her tongue. He pressed her harder against the wall.

"I'm warning you, Roxanne," he hissed. "I will drag you to a deserted corner of campus, to an abandoned storage closet, to an empty room of any kind, and I will take you for myself. Multiple times. This is what awaits you if you continue."

This caught her attention, and she leaned her head against the wall and stared into his now-dark eyes. "Yeah...I guess this is out of the question. Besides, I've got another exam in an hour, so..."

He tilted his head, a mischievous gleam entering his eyes. "I would have to cut our session short, but I'm sure I could find some way to please you."

She pressed her legs together against a wave of arousal that made things deep in her gut tighten, but she did it slowly, hoping he wouldn't notice. But he noticed something, because a spark flickered in his gaze and he leaned forward.

"I'm arousing you," he whispered, phrasing it as a fact, not a question. "My words arouse you."

She opened her mouth to retort, but he pressed a finger to her lips to silence her. "Do you want me to find an empty storage closet?" he said with a knowing look in his eye.

Roxanne bit her lip. "I should probably go."

He was silent for a moment, then stepped away from her. She found she missed the pressure. "Yes, that probably would be best. I know you will do well on your exam."

She nodded. "Thanks."

She made to leave, but he caught her wrist and pulled her in for one last kiss. He made it brief, yet sweet, and she could still taste his spice on her tongue as she walked to her next exam.

…

Roxanne finally breathed a sigh of relief when she put down her bag in Mr. Sisko's guest room, and she flopped down on the bed and buried her head in the thick covers. Ben sat beside her and rubbed her back, and she smiled into the fluffy coverlet.

"I know this semester's been hard on you," Ben said. "And I know you must have been under a lot of pressure. Was it all worth it?"

She sighed. "I don't know. But I do know I got an A in that Calculus class."

"You showed Solok," her friend murmured. "You showed him a good bit of human determination."

She laughed mirthlessly. "Yeah, there were times during our tutoring sessions that I got by on sheer will alone. I am so glad this semester is over and done."

Ben nodded. "Let's just forget about it and have a good break, ok?"

Roxanne rolled over and stared up at him, grateful that they had made amends. "Friends?" she asked, holding out her hand. Ben looked appalled.

"We were always friends, Roxanne," he said softly, pulling her up into a sitting position. "I was mad at you, but it's your life, and it's not my place to dictate who you spend your time with."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why do I get the feeling your dad told you to say that?"

His face fell, but she grinned at him, causing him to pick up a pillow and whack her with it. "Hey!" she shouted in protest as he began laughing. "Don't make me hurt you, Sisko-son."

"This okra ain't gonna chop itself, you two!" they heard Mr. Sisko call from the kitchen. They both sighed and exited the guest room, but not before Roxanne gave Ben a playful punch on the shoulder.

…

Solok stepped off the shuttle and scanned the landing platform for his parents. He spied them sitting on a bench a little ways away, and they both stood as he approached. He raised the ta'al, and they both returned the gesture.

"My son," his father said, the tiniest note of warmth and pride creeping into his deep voice. "It is agreeable to see you again."

"You appear well," his mother added, lightly touching his shoulder with a gentle hand.

"It is agreeable to home again," Solok said with a nod. "San Francisco has a colder climate than Vulcan."

His father, Sovar, nodded. "We have prepared your old room for your arrival, and your sister will be staying with her husband."

Solok nodded and followed them to the family shuttle, wondering if he should even mention Roxanne. His father would probably chide him for wasting his time with a human (he definitely would not be revealing that he had explored intimacy with one), and his mother would be quiet. She had always been reluctant to take any stance opposite his father, especially when it came to humans.

"When are you planning to return to Earth?" his father asked as he piloted the shuttle.

"I am unsure of my plans at this time."

Sovar nodded. "I trust you excelled at your courses at the Academy?"

Solok bowed his head. "I will receive the results of this semester in five days time, but I am confident I excelled."

The family fell silent until they reached their home outside Shi'Kahr, and Solok immediately headed to his room and set down his things. A quick glance around the room confirmed that nothing had changed since he left. All his books were untouched, and his clothing was still hanging in his closet. He wondered what Roxanne was doing at that moment, if she liked books, and if so, what kind. He thought of taking a few of the tomes back with him to the Academy to share with her, and then he closed his eyes. He needed to meditate; if his father ever found out that his thoughts were dwelling constantly on a human woman, he would certainly be shipped off to a monastery until his pon farr. It would be best not to speak of Roxanne, or of tutoring her in Calculus, or even of the barfight that ensued after they met. No, his Roxanne was none of his parent's business. He was free to choose his own mate, and at the moment, his cinnamon-scented thy'la was a very tempting choice.

…

"So Ben tells me you were having trouble this last semester."

Roxanne nodded and speared a piece of okra with her fork, then was instantly reminded of her first lunch with Solok and crew. She sighed.

"Yeah, but I passed the class. I'm sure of it."

"That's good to know," Mr. Sisko said cheerfully. "What are your plans for the holidays?"

"Relax," she said simply.

"There's the annual Anderson New Year's Eve party," Ben said, smiling soberly at her. "Wanna come with me?"

"Why, Mr. Sisko, I would think you'd want to take Hannah Zimmerman from Level 2 Engineering Systems."

Ben's father grinned and rounded on Roxanne when his son's eyes grew wide and a slight blush crept over his cheeks.

"Tell me everything you know about this girl, Roxanne!" Sisko cried, a mischievous spark gleaming in his dark eyes.

"Well," she began, a grin of her own breaking over her features. "She's got long brown hair and big brown eyes, and I heard it through the grapevine that she's really smart and very attracted to your son, Mr. Sisko."

"Well, I'll be damned," Sisko muttered with an endearing chuckle. "My son never could keep the ladies away for long, could you, Ben?"

By this time, Ben was laughing with them, being a good sport.

"Tell you what," he muttered to Roxanne as Mr. Sisko took a bite of his Cajun shrimp. "I'll ask Hannah to come with me...but only if you convince your Calculus tutor to come with you."

It was Roxanne's turn to blush, and Sisko's eyes grew wide. "Oh, you mean that Vulcan you don't like, Ben?" He started to laugh. "The one you got in a barfight with?"

"The very same," Benjamin confirmed without a hint of shame in his voice. "The one that has somehow captured Roxanne's heart."

"Tutoring does not equal dating, Benjamin," she said defensively, but her irritation was diffused by Mr. Sisko's joyful grin.

"Tell me about this Vulcan, son."

Ben cocked an eyebrow and smiled. "He's tall, gangly, and he's one hell of a fighter. He serves up left hooks like nobody's business, and he's got beady gray eyes and slick black hair. You know Vulcans, not one hair out of place."

"He isn't gangly," Roxanne protested. "Just because he dislocated your shoulder-"

"Oh, so now you're defending him?" Benjamin accused with a short laugh. Mr. Sisko leaned back in his chair, an amused grin on his face. "I never thought I'd see the day..."

She opened her mouth to further protest against Ben calling Solok's eyes beady, but then she thought better of it. She took another bite of okra, then took a sip of water.

"If you want me to talk him into going to this party, I'm sure he'd love to observe drunken humans celebrating the New Year."

Ben shook his head. "Whatever, invite him if you want. Let's not talk about this, ok?"

"You brought him up, not me," she said with a playful smile, and he punched her shoulder before finishing his okra.

…

Roxanne was lounging in her family's living room, reading a old book and drinking hot chocolate. Her mother was out Christmas shopping and her father was having lunch with an old shipmate, and her brother wasn't due to arrive until next week. She had the house to herself and was relishing in the relaxing silence, but that silence was interrupted when she heard the comm system beep.

She stood up to receive the message and turned the system on, then pulled up a chair and sat down.

"Solok of Vulcan," she said with a faint smile. He bowed his head in acknowledgment.

"Roxanne," he murmured in his deep, silky voice. Her smile widened.

"Why are you calling me?"

He quirked an eyebrow. "I received the results of my final exams, and called to inquire after yours, especially your Calculus grade."

She grinned. "Like I said, I passed. With flying colors, as you put it. I assume you aced the course?"

He frowned, and she giggled. "As in, you passed with high marks?"

Comprehension dawned over his features, and he nodded. "In all my classes, actually."

"Hey," she pouted with a mischievous grin. "What'd I say about gloating?"

He raised both eyebrows. "You inquired after my performance this last semester, and I simply gave you the facts."

She laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I was just thinking of our first meeting in the Launching Pad."

He nodded. "I remember it well."

Roxanne folded her arms across her chest. "Now, I'm sure you'll concede that I won that argument."

Solok narrowed his eyes slightly, but he did not seem displeased with her statement. "You made some valid points, but you also exited the establishment in tears."

She closed her eyes, reliving the memory. "Yeah, after you thoroughly insulted me."

His triumphant expression faded slightly, and she thought she saw a glimmer of regret behind his eyes. "That was wrong of me," he said quietly, and she tilted her head.

"Well, you didn't have to say I was a simpleton, but you were right about my grades. And as much as I hated learning Calculus with you...I'm glad you came along."

He raised an eyebrow. "May I inquire why?"

"You saved my presence at the Academy. You know how strict it is there: one fail and you're on probation, two and you're out."

He frowned at her. "You have previously failed a course?"

"No, but my father would have a heart attack if he found out I was headed toward academic probation."

He opened his mouth to inquire, but she held up a hand. "It's an expression, Solok."

The Vulcan offered her another small nod. "How are you faring? Are your holidays going well?"

She smiled and nodded. "So far it's been great. I am so tired, though."

He frowned. "Are you getting adequate rest?"

She raised her eyebrows and paused for a long moment, and Solok feared he may have said something wrong. But he was only inquiring after her health.

His worries were dispersed when she smiled. "Whatever have you done with the Solok I knew?"

His eyes brightened. "You will not encounter him again."

Roxanne leaned back into her chair and closed her eyes, a slight smile on her face. "Roxanne?" she heard him say.

"I'm savoring the moment," she said to his unspoken question.

Although he did not quite understand what there was to savor, he let her have a moment as it seemed he had given her some sort of contentment. The thought pleased him.

"Listen," she said, opening her eyes. He quirked an eyebrow. "There's going to be a party here for Earth's New Year, and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me."

His gray eyes grew dark. "That would be agreeable. I assume this is a formal occasion?"

"Slightly formal," she confirmed. The tiniest of smiles lit his eyes.

"Then I have reason to look forward to this gathering. It will give me a chance to see you in something more appealing."

She glanced down at her t-shirt and jeans and laughed. "What, you don't find my outfit appealing?"

His eyes glittered. "You look appealing in many outfits, Roxanne, but if I may be frank, you look your best when you don't put an outfit on at all."

He waited a moment for her to catch his meaning, and she covered her mouth in mock indignation. "Solok of Vulcan is flirting with me!" she cried out. He quirked an eyebrow.

"I am doing no such thing."

She giggled and the high points of her cheeks turned pink. "Say what you want, that sounded like flirting to me."

"But you are not displeased with this method of communication."

She laughed harder. "Weirdly, no, I'm not."

Roxanne turned her head when she heard the side door opening. "Listen, I've got to go. Contact me later?"

His eyes glittered in amusement. "Very well. I look forward to our next communique."

She smiled, then abruptly ended the transmission before her father walked in, bearing a load of groceries from the market. "Who was that?" he asked, a suspicious expression clouding his green eyes.

"A friend from school."

Her father narrowed his eyes. "What kind of friend? Who is he?"

"He's a friend. He's Vulcan, if you must know."

After a few moments of silence, he smiled. "Did you know it's snowing outside?"

She glanced out the window and grinned. "Want some hot chocolate?" She held up her half-empty mug. He murmured an affirmative, and he put away the groceries while she busied herself with making him a mug of cocoa.

Her father was only home for a little while before he left again to run a few errands, and by the time he was gone, the snow had let up, blanketing the landscape in a pillowy layer of white. Roxanne sat in the window seat under the old heater and watched the neighborhood children run around in the fresh-fallen snow. She longed to join them, but she felt so tired that any notion of running around in the cold was out of the question. Instead, she retreated to her room and laid down to sleep.

…

"He's coming, Ben," she said. Her mother was the one out this time, and her father was asleep in the living room. It was late evening, after dinner, and Benjamin had contacted her after she sent him a written message confirming Solok's presence at the New Year's Party.

"How'd you ask him?"

She sighed. "I asked him if he wanted to go. He said yes. What did you want me to say?"

Ben adopted a fake, melodramatic smile and spoke in a falsely high voice. "Solok, my love, won't you please attend this party with me? We can dance the night away and you can kiss me to ring in the New Year!"

Roxanne grinned despite herself. "I didn't know you had a crush on him, Ben!"

His face went red, and she laughed at him. He narrowed his eyes. "Well, I'll see how you treat him at this party...and then the truth will out, Roxanne!" His voice turned triumphant. "Oh, and tell me if he sends you anything for Christmas."

She shook her head. "One, he probably won't, and two, that's none of your business."

Ben grinned. "So you do like him."

It was her turn to narrow her eyes. "I'm not going to talk about this with you."

Their conversation was light for the rest of their communique, and she signed off and turned in early, the strange exhaustion that had been plaguing her for the last two weeks finally getting the better of her.