"Cadet Khan, If I could have a moment of your time?" Solid in its rigid adhering to proper etiquette and calculated control over inflection, the voice that spoke was easily recognized, making it impossible for Alice to not be able to place to its owner.
Alice stopped where she was, turning to face the interruption in her day. She was by no means in any rush to get to a particular destination, however, there was an aversion to this specific person who was about to drag her into a conversation she was by no means going to enjoy. That wasn't to say that she didn't care for him. Alice was actually quite fond of him. He was just tough to deal with sometimes, especially since he knew things she had only just revealed to her friends.
"Is there something I can help you with, Commander Spock?" Alice asked, standing at the resting position of attention required of all cadets when in the presence of an officer.
Spock regarded her for a moment, studying her with eyes that were so full of emotions that were diminished by the calculated posture that he stood, surveying Alice for any information he might learn before dedicating himself to a conversation, allowing him to be more prepared for any responses she might have.
"It has come to my attention that you suffered a psychological episode brought on by your PTSD and haphephobia last month," he said, looking down at her in a similar manner that all Vulcans did no matter how much shorter Alice was compared to them.
"That is correct," Alice replied, mimicking his professional coldness. "However, I am doing much better now, and your concern isn't necessary."
"It is not out of concern that I am here," Spock said, his voice dripping with Vulcan smugness. It was Alice's theory that all Vulcans enjoyed it when another species didn't know something they thought was obvious. "I am here because I learned this by chance when meeting with Captain Pike at his offhanded mention of the occurrence as though I should have been fully aware of it."
"I see," she frowned slightly.
Spock raised an eyebrow at her. "I am not sure you do," he said disapprovingly. "Captain Pike was caught off guard as much as I was by the revelation that you had not informed me yourself."
"I apologize, Commander," Alice said quickly, shuffling her weight slightly. "I had managed to recover from it quite well and didn't believe it was necessary to trouble you with it."
"Occasional remissions are common for neurological disorders," he gave her, "and I would have come to the same conclusion that it wasn't necessary for you to inform me; however, that would have been before I learned that you assaulted a man and left him with grievous injuries."
Shit, Alice sighed focusing on not cowering beneath him like some kid being scolded by a very stringent parent. "I understand," was all she could offer, unsure if he wanted her to explain herself, unsure if there even was a way for her to explain herself.
"Again, I am not sure you do to the fullest extent you are implying with that statement." The slight cock of his head made it obvious to her that Spock was challenging her to disagree. After a slight hesitation, as he waited for her to do so, he continued. "Cadet Khan—"
"Alice."
"Alice," his voice drew out her name longer than necessary, almost scornfully. "You are aware that you were allowed into the Vulcan Academy under the auspices of gaining the ability to control and overcome your disorder in a constructive manner that aligned with your strong pre-disposition to the subject?"
"Yes."
"And you are aware that it was under my assurance that I would oversee your state of mind following your instruction that you were further allowed into both the Vulcan and Starfleet Academies as well?"
"Yes."
"The instruction you received was by no means intended to be used for anything other than control and furthering yourself in Starfleet," Spock continued, "yet it is clear to me that it has failed to aid you in control and that you have abused your instruction when you used what you learned on the man you assaulted."
Where most humans would be taken aback, at a loss for words, and angered by the blunt and cold logic of Vulcan's, Alice was not. In almost every conversation she had or listened in to on Vulcan, the inhabitants had always sounded cold and condescending in regards to her and her abilities. Spock taking the tone with her was uncommon, but she was certainly used to it from the rest of his species. She would not, however, allow him to illicit an emotional response.
"As you stated yourself, Commander," Alice said, making her move in the delicate game of chess, "occasional remissions are normal when dealing with disorders brought about by trauma. One instance in the past ten months does not indicate that my instruction on Vulcan was ineffective. In fact, one might state that it indicates the opposite. Furthermore," she continued, using the same logic Vulcan's wielded expertly against everyone on him, "I did not use what I learned at the academy when I assaulted the man who grabbed me unexpectedly—thus inhibiting my ability to assert control over the situation—and the evidence of this can be confirmed by Doctor McCoy, the physician who inspected my injuries afterwards and noted that I had nearly broken my hand."
Spock raised an eyebrow at her. "I do not see how that proves you did not use your recently acquired skills."
"Someone with my skillset would not have nearly broken their hand simply by throwing punches if they had been using a proper technique."
The tilt of his head indicated that he was about to counter with some other deduction or fact, but instead, Spock straightened his posture. "You make an excellent point. One that I had not considered."
And even thought it was highly unprofessional, Alice allowed herself a small smile in self-satisfaction at having out Vulcan-ed a Vulcan. Half-Vulcan, she reminded herself, Spock's eyes being the most telling of his parentage. Perhaps that's the reason I'm able to converse with him much easier than most, Alice wondered. Except for maybe one. Uhura was known for her talented tongue.
"Despite this, however, I must insist that you meet with me so that I might properly evaluate your state of mind psychologically and decide if it would be wise for you to continue your studies within Starfleet and to determine if you have truly recovered from your trauma induced episode," Spock added, crushing her moment of triumph over him. He had not let her bask in her victory nearly long enough.
"Spock—"
"Commander," he corrected her firmly.
Alice felt the embers of rage dancing as his condensation reached its maximum. "Commander Spock," she corrected herself. "You cannot take me out of Starfleet."
"If that is what you have come to believe, then you have been greatly misinformed." And there it was again, that smugness.
The embers were doused by the deep waters of doubt. "You misunderstand me," she shook her head lightly, allowing emotion to flow into her tone, a sadness that might sway him. "You can't take me out of Starfleet, because I need it, I need this." Alice searched his eyes to see if she was getting through to him before continuing. "I'm doing much better than I was ten months ago and when I was in the Vulcan academy. I even have a support system here." Her voice was imploring, begging him to understand. "I need this."
Alice had learned much from the six months she had spent training on Vulcan. Many of which were invaluable skills. The greatest of them had been learning that, while he may not fully understand or comprehend the reasons a human might exhibit an emotion, it was always the best way to get him to concede.
"I understand," Spock replied, though Alice didn't believe he truly did. "I still must insist on the evaluation at the very least, though, I will not be making any decisions in regards to your standing within the Academy based on what I learn. It is merely an observation to seek further understanding."
"Very well," Alice relented, knowing full well that there was no point in arguing with a Vulcan when they were being insistent. She was, however, thankful that he wouldn't be removing her from the Academy. "Is there anything else you need, Commander?"
"Not entirely," Spock admitted, his voice losing a cold edge and becoming much more pleasant, "though I do wish to inquire if you will be attending the annual Officers Ball that is approaching with Captain Pike."
With the change of topic to one that was more informal, Alice allowed herself to relax her stance giving him a small smirk. "Afraid you'll have no one there to talk to, Commander?"
"Most humans tend to avoid conversations with Vulcans as they are not used to our… formality and that which we find to be interesting topics are not shared by them." The smallest of smirks tugged faintly at the corners of his lips as he gave her a slightly amused look. "So far, you are one of the few rare exceptions."
"Well, we both know why that is," she scoffed lightly. "And to answer your question, yes, I will be attending." Alice held out her hand in invitation to continue forward along the path she had been following when he interrupted her on the way to the library. "As Pike often reminds me: if he has to go, I have to go."
"A rather strange agreement," Spock commented.
"It wasn't an agreement," Alice chuckled softly, receiving yet another raise of an eyebrow, though this one signified what she interpreted to be the equivalent of chuckling or laughter since Vulcans were always so serious.
As they walked along, any cadets that were in Spock's path were forced to stop immediately and offer him a salute. The privilege of being an officer of Starfleet, and she wondered if other officers, or even Spock himself, found it amusing to have so many people day in and day out abandoning what they were doing long enough to acknowledge them before moving on. Alice certainly did, and they weren't even saluting her.
Alice looked over at him, her tone becoming more gentle and private between them, hushed and intelligible to everyone that might drift too close. "You should bring Cadet Uhura to the Officers Ball."
The hesitation might have been unnoticed by anyone unaccustomed to dealing with his species, but to Alice, it was telling. "Why would you make that suggestion?"
"She is one of your top students with an exceptional potential to flourish within Starfleet, and she is shaping up to being one of the best Xenolinguistics in the Federation. Or at least, that's what you can say—more eloquently—should someone ask you." Then Alice added. "And as her friend, I know Nyota would greatly appreciate the gesture and that it would mean quite a lot to her."
Another hesitation. "Thank you, Alice. I appreciate your advice and believe I will take you up on your suggestion."
"I am pleased to hear it, Commander," Alice smiled.
"Would it be safe for me to assume that you will be bringing Dr. McCoy with you to this event as well? I heard that he accompanied you to the Alumni Gala two months ago and that you have been spending your time with him and Cadet Kirk."
"That's under the presumption that he agrees, yes," Alice said, not bothering to care about the slight flush she felt in her cheeks when he mentioned Leonard.
"Do you think he would turn down your invitation?" Spock asked in as genuine in curiosity as he could manage.
Ahead of them, she could see both Leonard and Jim waiting for her, seated on one of the outdoor picnic tables. Jim was making obnoxious gestures as he went on about telling Bones something, and Leonard was clearly uncaring and rolling his eyes at whatever it was.
Alice smiled, as her eyes landed on Leonard. "No. He's too much of a gentleman."
The feverish and tickling kisses that Leonard trailed down her neck to her back caused Alice to giggle involuntarily before she rolled over to face him, preventing the fiendish onslaught that feathered her skin playfully; but her movement only served to make him outsource to his hands as he dragged his fingertips deviously across her ribs, capturing her laughing lips with his own.
Alice squirmed playfully beside him on the bed, "Stop that!" she whined teasingly, her voice indicating she wasn't overly serious with her command.
"Stop what, sweetheart?" Leonard asked throatily kissing her again as he continued to tickle her. "You'll have to be more specific," he added pulling his lips from hers momentarily before they locked with hers once more.
Rather than be specific, Alice decided to be in control the situation; quickly grabbing both of his hands and pinning them above his head as she forced him onto his back, straddling him. Leonard didn't protest, though, shifting underneath her wordlessly, but his hazel eyes reflected so much emotion… Alice felt like she was the most beautiful woman in the world with the way he was looking.
"What do you think I meant?" she teased him gently, before lowering herself and taking his lips in hers, her tongue demanding his full attention.
"If you give me a moment," he said between her lips, "we can go again."
Alice merely smiled at Leonard, releasing the grip she had on his hands and landing beside him, tucking herself against his side, her head resting at that sweet spot between his shoulder and collar bone. "I'm alright," she admitted truthfully. "This is what I want."
She could feel him vibrate as he hummed softly in understanding, each breath of his lifting her ever so softly, lulling her into a peaceful trance. The moments before this had been pure, fiery ecstasy; but this moment was pure tranquil bliss.
Leonard began to trace his fingertips on her back as he held her closer to him. Alice smiled into his chest, "Tickle me and I'll kick you," she warned playfully.
"I would never tickle you, sweetheart," he teased, trailing his fingers dangerously close to her ribs before he craned his neck forward just enough to plant a tender caress on her forehead. It was something that wasn't needy or desire ridden, but casual and caring. It was something he did that Alice was growing to love.
"I meant to ask you earlier," he said, drawing her out of the trance of his breathing, "who was that guy you were with before you met us at the library?"
"The Commander? He's one of my instructors." Alice lied, propping herself up on her elbow so that she could look up at him. "Why? Are you jealous?"
Leonard scoffed, rolling his eyes at the notion. "Curious," he corrected her. But just as Alice had lied, so did he, only this time it was caught.
"Something's bothering you, Leon. What is it?"
"Nothing, just…" he looked for the words. "I know that it's not my place to ask, but when you find someone else, would you tell me so that I know this is over?"
Alice frowned at him. "When you find someone else?" she echoed questioningly.
There was a faint wince in the corner of his eyes. "I know this isn't exclusive, that it could end at any time."
Now she understood. When they had started this whole affair two months ago, they had both agreed that it was just casual, fun sex to make life at the academy slightly enjoyable and to add some variety to just going to the bar and getting drunk. But that had been two months ago. Now Alice found herself feeling differently about their arrangement. Now she found herself loving the kisses Leonard would plant on her forehead.
"And what is this exactly?" she asked, her heart thundering in her chest as she hoped he couldn't feel it while she lay half on top of him, her head resting on his chest.
Leonard furrowed his brow slightly as if to say that she should know this, "It's fun, casual sex."
Alice nodded, praying that what she was about to didn't go horribly wrong. "Yes, but it doesn't have to be just that anymore."
"It doesn't?" His voice was at a controlled, even tone.
"No," she said, shaking her head softly as she peered into his forested eyes, hoping to find what he was thinking with the wooded depths of hazel.
But Leonard had to look away, resting his head on her pillow, looking up at the ceiling; and just as he had to control his tone earlier to keep whatever emotions he was feeling hidden from her, he also had to control his breathing, his body much more tense beneath Alice's than it had been moments ago.
Her heart sank. "I shouldn't have said anything," Alice breathed, defeated.
"No, it's not that," he stopped her. "It's just…I don't know if I'm ready for that yet."
"I know, Leon," Alice assured him. "But…is it something you could find yourself wanting when you are ready?"
Leonard looked at her once more. "It's something that I want—could want, yes."
Alice allowed herself to smile at his slip. "Then I'll be here, waiting for you to be ready," she hummed before relaxing by his side once more, resting her head on the place between his shoulder and chest that seemed as if it were meant for just that, just her.
"What about you?" Leonard asked, his words vibrating in his chest, tickling Alice's face. "Is it something that you could want?"
"Yes. It is," Alice admitted freely, breathlessly as if finally saying it was a relief. But then she realized that there was something else, something that had been gnawing at her for a while.
"Leon?" she asked quietly.
There was a faint tenseness in him as he shifted slightly in her direction. "What is it, sweetheart?"
"I'm 21," she said.
"I know," he replied, and Alice could hear the frown in his voice.
"Does that—does my age bother you?"
"I'm 28," he countered. "Does that bother you?"
"No," she breathed, calmly tracing her fingers in chaotic patterns on his chest. "It might bother some people, though."
"Fuck 'em," Leonard scoffed.
And Alice couldn't help herself. "I'd much rather fuck you and not worry about being shamed because of it."
"Hmm," Leonard hummed in understanding, though the faint smile at what she had teased at didn't go unnoticed.
"Would it bother you? Would it make you change your mind on this maybe being something more if the whole world was against it?" she asked nervously.
"Well, sweetheart, the whole world doesn't have to know," Leonard softly reassured her. "We could always continue to keep it quiet."
"And you wouldn't feel like I was ashamed of you if we did?"
"Alice, if anything, I would be worrying that you felt I wanted to keep you hidden because I was embarrassed for being with a younger woman." His southern charm and kindness always made his voice devilishly handsome.
"It's not out of shame, I would keep this quiet," Alice said.
"But out of protection for ourselves," Leonard added.
Alice smiled, melting into him with relief, "But only when you're ready."
Leonard's presence around her became much more noticed as he pressed his arm into her back, forcing her closer to him in as near of an embrace as they could manage while lying side by side on the bed as if he was desperate for her to near him. It was then that she felt the warmth of his breath and the soft tender passion of his lips against her forehead, and oh how she loved it.
~~.O.~~
Writing Spock was actually a lot of fun and I think I did pretty damn good with nailing his dialogue.
Anyway, another chapter bites the dust!
And as always, thank you for reading.
To those of you who write reviews, I read them all and love them all. I love you guys, honestly. It is truly a pleasure to be writing for you all. :)