A/N

The usual disclaimers apply.

When You Wish Upon A Star

Chapter Eleven

No, Mother

His mother's face appeared on the screen. There was a furrow marring her visage. To set the matter straight from the beginning Spock said,

"No mother, I did not do anything to break our confidence."

"How much of your input was necessary to convince Captain Pike that Nyota should receive that appointment?"

"Negligible. There were three candidates who met my criteria, the captain reviewed all and selected Nyota. I simply concurred with the Captain's decision."

"Mother, going completely against my heart's desire, I encouraged Nyota to pursue her goal. It later required twelve hours of meditation to reconcile my inner conflict. I will do nothing to betray your or her trust."

"My son, I would expect nothing less of you."

"Another matter that will significantly lessen any distraction in that area will be my extended periods away from the Academy, aboard the Enterprise. I find that physical contact with her has its consequences."

With that statement he put down his head.

Amanda looked at her son, despite everything she still had high hopes for a bright future for the two of them. Perhaps it was time to change the subject.

"Let me fill you in on some local news."

"Mother, is it local gossip?"

"Yes, the good kind," and she continued her recitation of births, bondings, deaths, scholarly writings, etc. As it were, 'All the news that fits to print…'"

Her final revelation was,

"T'Pring and Scon have announced their bonding."

Amanda looked carefully into her son's eyes, hoping she would detect nothing, and that was what she observed. No hurt, rejection, anger, annoyance. It was quite different when a certain cadet's name was mentioned.

She remembered how she had protested Spock's koon'ul (bonding of children at seven years old, a betrothal) and then Sarek's terminating the established bond when Spock left for Star Fleet. T'Pring announced what could best be described as her 'good riddance,' of that burden. It had been the local 'gossip' that she and Scon were desirous of a bond-so be it.

Amanda now thought of how vulnerable her son was. Whether he would experience Pon Farr was in question, but in case he did…Amanda would not allow her thoughts to go there. After all, there was always the 'Comfortors.'

"Mother, has there been any news of Sy'bok? …just one moment there is another communication….It is Captain Pike. Please excuse me mother. I will contact you later in the week.

"Sochya eh dif, Ko'mekh (Peace and Long Life, mother)

The screen went black and then Pike's face appeared.

"Spock how about a project that won't take you off planet until we're ready for the Enterprise."

"Clarify."

Well, the Academy's has determined they need a special program for students on the Command Track, a simulated 'no win' situation. The program has to be guided by artificial intelligence that allows it to challenge each participate individually. In other words it needs to have the ability to change mid-stream so that no matter what decisions the participate makes he cannot win."

"Captain, what is the purpose of this program?"

"To allow the Command Track student to know the fear of certain death and still maintain control of himself and his crew. The final and biggest test would be the acceptance of his and his ship's fate."

Spock looked at his commanding officer and said,

"It appears that in the reality of things a test of this nature would be unfair."

"But the results would be most valuable to determine who could really qualify for a command post."

Spock nodded, and based on the information given, made his decision on the spot.

"Yes Captain, I would like to take on that project."

"Spock, can you deal with a deadline?"

"When does the Board want to see the preliminaries?"

"In one month."

"That is acceptable. Would it be allowable for me to test certain emotional responses on a human?"

"That is an excellent idea."

"Thank you Captain for this opportunity."

"No Spock, it is I that should be thanking you. I will leave you to start the project."

"Goodbye Captain."

Immediately Spock thought of Nyota. Since emotions would be involved in the decisions made by the person tested, he would really need her assistance in identifying what emotions were elicited with each option presented.

He knew that he would be occupying more of her time, and he was quite satisfied with that.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`

Nyota decided that a run should give her an opportunity for some deep thought. Dressed in her Star Fleet regulation sweats and running shoes she exited the building and race walked toward the track. She approached the exercise wall, did her stretches and prepared for her run. In the distance she was surprised to see what appeared to be Spock. She determined she would catch and pass him. She had a great deal of endurance, and after all for the last three hundred years, every winning marathon runner male or female had been from her continent, stamina seemed to be in their DNA.

As she caught him she said,

"Good morning Lieutenant."

With that she sprinted ahead. Her initial view of her fellow runner showed a very cool, calm and collected runner. There was no sweat on his brow or body. How could that be?

She heard his measured stride approaching her rear and as he passed he said,

"Good morning Cadet."

With that he soared ahead, leaving her in the dust, so to speak, and she did not see him again until she had circled back to the exercise wall where he was cooling down. She stood in place keeping her momentum.

He looked up and said,

"Cadet, there is a matter of urgency I must discuss with you. When will you be available.

"Do I have to change into uniform?"

"No."

"Well, how about that bench over there?"

She still continued her cool down and then seated herself. Spock stood above her and informed her of his need of her unique talents. She agreed and then thought to ask,

"What kind of assignment is it?"

With a look of amusement in his eyes he uttered an old saying he heard in a Terran holo-vid,

"If I tell you that, I would have to kill you."

Throwing her head back she laughed until tears came to her eyes. Spock could not help but notice how her appearance at that moment affected him.

Now, very much in a hurry to leave her presence, he cleared his throat and said,

"I will tell you more about this matter after class tomorrow."

He knew he had to leave her presence to settle himself. Was he having second thoughts about extended contact with her…? No, not really. What he knew he had to do was find his center, meditate and immerse himself into this new assignment. He just hoped she would never expose her beautiful neck in his presence again.