Chapter Seven
A week had passed since the Friday that Spock and Zuria had met in the mess hall, and she was proving to be most helpful as his aide. There was never a time when she had been unwilling to assist him in anything pertaining to the Advanced Vulcan Studies class. Tonight, in fact, she had agreed to taking on the task of correcting the class' most recent assignment, as he had many papers which he had to grade for his Advanced Phonology class.
Since that day, Spock had begun to experiment with subtle physical contact, seeing how Zuria reacted when their fingers touched, or when his arm brushed against hers. He could not be sure, but he thought that, on most occasions, she acknowledged the contact that had been made; whether she knew the actions were intentional or not, he didn't know.
Inhaling, he cleared his mind of those thoughts while attempting to ignore the few students that glanced at him as he walked through the dormitory hallway with a small stack of papers under his arm as he made his way to Zuria's room. He had told her that he would deliver the assignments to her after classes were over.
Upon reaching it, Spock knocked on the door to her living space. It was only several moments before the door opened, revealing his aide. She held a book to her chest and was barefoot. He had not seen her in such a casual state before.
"Hello, Spock." She greeted, offering him a smile.
"Good afternoon, Zuria." He returned. "I have brought the assignment that you had offered to correct."
"Oh, ok. Great; I'll take them." She told him, reaching for the papers. She set them easily down onto a small table next to the door.
"The Phantom of the Opera, is it?" Spock questioned, gesturing to the book that she still held. Her eyes dropped to it, pulling it away from her, her gaze shifting from the cover to him.
"Yes, it is." She replied, brushing a piece of hair behind one of her ears.
"I am familiar with this book." He said, extending his hand towards it. Zuria placed it in his palm (not attempting to avoid contact, he noted), allowing him to look freely upon it. "It tells the story of a disfigured man that teaches an orphaned girl how to sing and, in the process, falls into an obsessive and unrequited love with her." He commented.
"It does. Have you read it?" She asked, a fresh smile growing on her face.
"I certainly have."
"And what did you think of it, Spock?"
He paused, considering how she would react to his answer. "It was an enjoyable read; it focused heavily on the… darker aspects of human emotions."
"I enjoyed it as well; it's definitely a blatant contrast to Vulcan literature, though." She agreed in an almost teasing voice, referencing their current study topic.
Spock nodded, returning the book to Zuria. "Thank you again for offering to correct these assignments; it will help me considerably." He said.
"You're welcome; hopefully I can get them back to you by the time we meet tomorrow."
"There is no need to rush, Zuria, but I appreciate your willingness to assist me as such." He assured her, taking a step back.
"Not a problem." She responded.
"I apologize for the briefness of my visit; I must return to my office to grade papers." His apology was met with an understanding hand wave from her.
"It's ok. I understand."
"Well then, I shall see you tomorrow, Zuria."
"Goodbye, Spock."
Zuria was about ready to kill her roommate after she turned away from the door. Pallania stood mere feet away in the kitchen, quietly examining her nails; a contrast to the loud chuckles that she had heard after the door slid shut.
Walking past the kitchen, she entered the bedroom, throwing her book down onto her bed.
"What?" Pallania questioned, following her into the room.
"You just had to be listening in on me, didn't you?" Zuria asked, folding her arms over her chest.
"Not just listening- looking." She corrected, plopping lazily onto her bed. "Hate to break it to you, Zur, but I know when you're attracted to someone; let me just say that Spock is one lucky Vulcan."
Zuria made no response to Pallania's comment, instead gazing about the room. A plate of slightly burnt chocolate chip cookies sat on her roommate's bedside table; Pallania had never been good at cooking.
Following Zuria's eyes, she reached for the plate, extending it in offering. "Cookie?"
Zuria shook her head, slumping down to the floor, leaning against her bed.
"Sorry," Pallania apologized, setting the plate of cookies back down. "But I told you I was right."
"Can we stop talking about this?" Zuria entreated, essentially surrendering. Perhaps if she stopped fighting so hard to conceal her attraction, Pallania would stop teasing her about it.
"Ok, ok; changing the subject." She began, rolling over onto her stomach. "I'm going to a club tonight and you're coming with me."
"Since when?" Zuria questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Since I'm making you come with me and you'll have fun." She replied.
"No, definitely not. In case you didn't notice while you were watching me, Spock just dropped off some assignments that I'm supposed to correct." Zuria reminded her, rejecting the invitation.
"In case you didn't notice, Spock wouldn't object to you having fun for one night after all of the work you've been doing for him." Pallania said, sitting up on her bed. Zuria looked to the floor. Picking up one of her roommate's shirts, she stood, then throwing it to her.
"C'mon, Zur. Just for a while; so you can let loose for a bit." Pallania pleaded, getting up from her bed and moving to Zuria, tugging on her arm.
"Pal," She sighed, looking skeptically at her
"Please? Just this once? I promise, you don't even have to stay the whole time."
This was a pointless argument. Pallania wouldn't give up until Zuria finally said she'd go. "Ok, fine." She agreed, shaking her head. "But just this once. And no guys can come home with you."
"Yes!" Pallania squealed, hugging Zuria tightly. "We are gonna have so much fun."
Several hours later, Zuria found herself walking with Pallania to the nearest club on campus, clad in her roommate's clothes; a strapless black mini-dress and stiletto boots. Pallania had insisted on doing her hair and make-up as well.
"Did you really have to put me in this dress?" Zuria inquired, pulling at the bottom of it.
"Yes. It looks good on you." Pallania assured her. They reached the club only minutes later, entering after identifying themselves. The colored lights that illuminated the establishment moved to the beat of the pounding bass from the music.
"Fabulous, isn't it?" Pallania asked, smiling.
"Sure." Zuria answered, glancing about. The crowd was thick, filled with groups of gyrating idiots and grinding couples.
"Dear God," She breathed, not wanting to join the throng.
"What was that?" Pallania asked, yelling to be heard over the music.
"Let's go to the bar." She suggested in an equally loud voice. The other girl nodded in agreement. They made their way to the bar.
"I'll have the slusho mix." Pallania told the bartender, who nodded in response.
"And for you?" He questioned, now turned to Zuria.
"I'll have a Cardassian sunrise." She replied after several moments of pondering. Again, the bartender nodded, turning away to make their drinks.
"Wow." Pallania said, chuckling.
"What?"
"I thought you'd just order water."
Zuria rolled her eyes. "Wasn't it your idea for me to let loose for a little bit?" She queried, despite the fact that she was feeling marginally uncomfortable; she didn't usually drink alcohol.
"Yes, it was, and I plan on making you stick to it." She promised, reaching for her drink. Zuria mirrored her action, taking a swig of her Cardassian sunrise. The alcohol burned on the tip of her tongue, but the fruitiness spread throughout her mouth, teasing her.
Pallania, however, downed her drink much more quickly, ordering another slusho mix for herself and another Cardassian sunrise for Zuria.
After finishing her first drink, she hesitantly reached for the second one. "How many slusho mixes are you planning on having?" She asked, leaning her back against the bar, taking a sip of her drink.
"As many as I need to have before a super-hot guy asks me to dance."
Almost on cue, a tall, dark haired man from Zuria's Advanced Vulcan Studies class walked up to them.
"Evening, ladies." He greeted, a wide grin spread across his face.
"It's the man I've been waiting for all night!" Pallania cried, giggling. Zuria couldn't help but roll her eyes; Pallania, she was sure, had never even met the man.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long." He replied playfully, draping an arm over Pallania's shoulders. "Wanna dance?"
She nodded, turning to Zuria expectantly.
"Not now." She answered, her voice dropping. "Just remember- his place, if you must."
Pallania nodded, acknowledging her reminder. She waved to Zuria before turning away and setting off for the dance floor with her guy of the night.
Great, thought Zuria. I knew this would happen.
She quickly downed her drink, slamming the glass down on the counter.
"Another one?" The bartender asked. Glancing from him to the glass and back, she nodded.
"Sure." She accepted. Hadn't she come here to "let loose?" One more drink couldn't hurt.
Unfortunately, Zuria's thoughts proved incorrect. After several more minutes, she relaxed, but the other effects of alcohol began to take hold of her. She was unsure how many drinks she'd had thus far.
Looking out to the dance floor, she scanned the crowd for Pallania. Of course, she failed in this endeavor; her roommate didn't need to know that she was going back to their room. Paying her tab, Zuria pulled herself together, leaving the club.
Spock had been grading essays for six hours before he was finally finished. It was an unpleasant task, to be sure; however, it was a necessary one. He could only have imagined how long his work would have taken him if Zuria were not his aide.
Setting down his pen, Spock cracked his knuckles, then circling his neck around to loosen the stiff muscles. Gathering his things, he placed them carefully into his bag, which he then lifted onto his shoulders. He glanced briefly about his office, assuring that everything was in its proper place before exiting.
Spock paused before stepping down the stairs leading away from the professor's office building, inhaling. The crisp night air was a refreshing change from that of his office. He began to walk, moving easily ahead. It was several moments later, however, that a figure came into sight. Spock squinted, trying to get a better view of them.
Zuria. It was Zuria.
Walking faster, Spock approached her. He watched as she tripped several times before toppling to the ground.
"Zuria?" He spoke her name as a question. She looked up, her eyebrows drawing together in confusion. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She was clearly intoxicated.
"What have you been doing this evening?" He prompted.
"M-My roommate begged me to go clubbing with her tonight." She answered.
"And where is your roommate now?" He asked.
"With some guy from our class. Dancing, I think. Or maybe not. Either way, she's not coming home tonight." She informed him with a shrug. Spock set his bag down, extending his hands to her. She gazed at them momentarily before taking them, pulling herself up. They both stood still as Zuria regained her balance, only to lose it seconds later. Spock caught her, holding her up. Her breath smelled fruity and sweet, giving him a hint as to the sort of alcoholic beverage she'd consumed.
"Tell me, Zuria: how many Cardassian sunrises have you imbibed?"
"Uh…" She started, pausing to think. "Three? Four?"
He couldn't leave her alone in her current state. She was almost too drunk to comprehend anything.
"Please, allow me to escort you back to your room." He insisted, picking up his bag. She merely nodded, allowing him to bring her into the dormitory building and to her room. Reaching down, he clutched onto her hand, lifting at and placing it on the scanner. The door slid open, granting them access. Spock set down his things before continuing to Zuria's bedroom. He set her down on her bed, straightening his uniform.
"Is there anything that you require?" He asked.
"Yes," She responded, standing carefully and shuffling into her bathroom. He heard water from the sink followed by the sound of Zuria brushing her teeth. Once she emerged, she plopped down onto her bed. Spock moved around, kneeling next to her. He tentatively grasped her hand, running his thumb over it.
"I will be here should you have need of me." He promised, speaking quietly. She struggled to hold his gaze while her eyelids fluttered shut from time to time.
"Y'know, you have the nicest eyes." She said, much to his surprise. "And I love your ears." She continued, touching the tip of his ear gently, sliding her fingers down to his neck.
"Zuria, I am afraid that the alcohol is speaking for you." Spock said, enjoying the intimate touch nonetheless.
"No, it's not." She assured him, attempting to keep the slur from her speech. "I-"
She was unable to finish, however, as her eyelids finally sealed themselves shut and her breathing grew heavy. Spock waited for a several minutes before pulling his hand away from hers. He stood, moving away from her bed.
"Computer, lights."
The lights instantly flickered off, leaving the entire apartment without illumination, save for the small amount of light that the computer provided for navigating in the dark.
"Goodnight, Zuria." He said, casting one last glance at her before stepping through the door.
Hey guys!
So, quick update. I just basically started writing this chapter last night after listening to some techno and wondering what would happen if I sent Zuria clubbing. This was the result. Fun, huh?
I'll admit, though, that it was a bit difficult to write. Not in the normal sense, however; I've been watching my old "Heroes" DVDs, and I ended up writing the name "Sylar" instead of "Spock" many times throughout. I don't know why, I just guess Zachary Quinto just has me confused with his many forms of amazingness. I thusly apologize if there were any points in this chapter that confused you because of that.
Anyways, I hope that you enjoyed the chapter! As always, I'd really appreciate it if you could review; I love hearing your comments.
Thanks
-Harley