Alice sat impatiently across from Spock, her body motionless as if she were actually the epitome of patience, though keeping up that appearance took all of her concentration. She truly wanted nothing more than to tap her fingers to at least draw her mind from thinking as she waited for him to finally say something after having just recounted the details of her assault of the man at the bar, but Spock had this annoying habit of—
"13, 22, 6, 92, 55," Spock interrupted her, both in her thoughts and as she drummed her fingers lightly against her knee. Alice hadn't even realized she had been doing it until he pointed it out, quickly clenching her fist tightly in annoyance. "You should learn more effective ways to cope with the counting you engage in with your obsessive compulsive tendencies, Ms. Khan."
Rolling her eyes, Alice realized what he had been doing. Vulcans had an eidetic memory. Meaning Spock didn't actually have to look back over the notes he had taken as Alice described the events at the bar. He had simply been goading her into doing the OCD-tick she would engage in whenever situations became overwhelming or uncomfortable.
"You might also find it in your best interests to behave more maturely in social situations. There is a possibility that it would improve your experiences, making you less inclined to indulge your obsessive-compulsive tendencies." He had clearly caught her eye-roll, his voice taking a disapproving edge as he spoke to demonstrate just that.
"It calms me down," Alice defended herself gently.
"Does this current situation make you uncomfortable or nervous, Ms. Khan?" Spock asked analytically.
But she ignored his question. "And I don't believe I should take advice on how to behave normally in social situations from a Vulcan. I believe it would be very unreliable." It may have been mature on her part, but it felt good.
"Normal is a relative term, Ms. Khan," Spock countered coolly, taking no visible offense to Alice's comment. "One that is constructed from social norms of a population. We Vulcans allow logic to dictate our norms and thus our social behavior mirrors that logic."
"What society do you currently find immersed in, Commander Spock?"
"A human one," he answered quickly, the slight tilt of his head indicating he wasn't fully aware of where she was going with this.
"Then wouldn't logic dictate that you adjust your behavior to one that was more normal for the society you are currently in?"
"Perhaps, though an argument could be made that it is because I am half-Vulcan and half-human that I continue to behave according to the Vulcan definition of the relative term normal." He looked amused.
Alice frowned. "You're applying both aspects of the Nature vs. Nurture* argument…to yourself?
*Nature vs. nurture is the argument in psychology on whether or not behavior is decided at birth or by how you were raised. Basically, it's born this way vs. raised this way.
"I am both logical and illogical," Spock said, his voice light in its tone, the equivalent of teasing for him.
"Schrodinger's logic?" Alice smiled before chuckling softly. "You know, going to such lengths to win an argument is quite human of you."
"While it may have been perfected by them better than most species, stubbornness is not a uniquely human characteristic."
Alice laughed, "I'm not sure if I should be insulted or not, Commander."
There were never any true smiles amongst his species, but a ghost of one reached Spock's lips. "Logic would dictate that you should take offense to my comment. However, I did not mean for my comment to be offensive or malicious in its intent."
"I am well aware of that, Spock," she smiled, her voice feathery and pleasant.
Spock looked back at the PADD he held in his hands. "Does this current situation make you uncomfortable or nervous?" he repeated, and Alice felt the room grow colder, her smile shrinking by a fraction.
"Not anymore, Commander."
His emotive eyes met hers before he directed them back to the screen, switching it to standby mode as he set it on his desk. "From what you have told me and what I have learned of the instance in question," Spock commented, returning back to reason she was truly here, "I have concluded that, while it may have been exaggerated, your response to the situation was…normal." Alice breathed a sigh of relief. "Furthermore I have decided that it is not necessary to bring the incident to the attention of admiralty or faculty that run this institute."
"Thank you, Commander," Alice said, her body much more relaxed than it had been when she first set foot in his office.
"There is no need," he said, dismissing her gratitude. "I do, however, insist that we continue meeting biweekly…though perhaps fewer psychological evaluations will be required as we progress and instead we focus on your classes and career pathway."
And while she would have preferred that they didn't need to meet at all or not as often, at the very least, Alice found herself only slightly disappointed. Fewer psych evaluations would be nice, though. "I understand."
Spock raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "While I do not have much experience with humans and their emotional patterns and behavior, I do believe that you are withholding something that is causing you slight emotional duress."
Am I so obvious that even a Vulcan can tell when something is bothering me? Alice wondered quietly before answering the question Spock voiced as a statement. "I take it that you do not agree with my choice in career track as well."
He frowned at her slightly, "Please clarify."
"You do not understand why someone with aptitude scores such as my own would choose tactical officer. To you, the decision is illogical," she explained, "and for humans when something seems illogical, they question it and often seek to change the person's decision."
There was a moment of hesitation before Spock responded. "Whether or not I find you decision logical in not relevant." When he saw Alice roll her eyes, rather than disapprove, he continued. "My decision to join Starfleet over the Vulcan Science Academy was viewed illogical. What matters, Alice, is whether or not you find your decision logical." He paused for a beat before asking, "Do you find it logical?"
"I do," Alice answered honestly, with no hesitation.
"Then as your sponsor, it is my duty to ensure that you receive the most out of your instruction while maintaining academic excellence in order to become the exemplary tactical officer that you have the potential of reaching within Starfleet."
"That is rather flattering of you," Alice teased, knowing full well just how he would respond.
"It was not flattery, Ms. Khan," Spock retorted blankly. "Merely an observation based on what I already know."
"Perhaps," Alice smirked, "Then again, you were being rather… humanly profound earlier, Commander."
"Profoundness is not a uniquely human characteristic either and is something Vulcans are quite capable of demonstrating as well."
"Correct, but the emotions tied into your statement weren't particularly Vulcan, were they?"
Spock hesitated a moment before his expression softened, and he smirked faintly, "It is something my mother told me once I had made my decision to join Starfleet."
Alice smiled as she remembered Amanda Grayson. "I don't believe I have ever met a kinder or more patient woman," she commented truthfully.
"I believe she would be pleased to hear that you said that," Spock said offhandedly as he rose to his feet, a clear move for dismissal on his part. "I believe that will conclude this session, Ms. Khan, unless you have any questions for me."
Following suit and standing herself, Alice considered simply answering no; but there was something. Spock might think of it as foolish, but she didn't mind. "Actually, I do have a question—a favor to ask of you, really." When he nodded, signaling her to continue, Alice suddenly felt very small and childish. "I was wondering if you could inquire after Avarak for me. I am curious to know how he's doing—what he's doing," she quickly corrected herself.
Spock considered her for a moment, curiosity written so clearly on his subtle expression. "Avarak and I are not well acquainted enough for me to know how to get into contact with him." Something in Alice's eyes resonated with him, though. "However, since this seems to mean a great deal to you, I will make the attempt to do so on your behalf."
"Thank you, Spock," Alice breathed, a small smile on her face as she exited his office receiving only a simple nod in goodbye from him.
The smile disappeared quickly when she realized just how late it was and how long she must have kept Leonard waiting down in the lobby. With hasty, jarring movements, Alice whipped out her comm. unit and powered it back on, thinking of the best apology she possibly could when a message waiting for her caused her to stop.
"Got caught up with a last patient. I won't be able to make there on time, but I'll let you know when I'm on my way. Sorry, sweetheart," sent from Leonard five minutes ago.
It had been somewhat of a relief to see that she wasn't the only one that was late, but now, 20 minutes after the message, Alice was slightly annoyed. She had run out of things to do. Everything was up to date for her classes, there were no assignments that needed completion since she had turned them all in early, there was nothing of interest on her PADD, and the Science Complex had to have the most boring lobby out of any building on Academy grounds. Of course, she was there grossly after hours meaning most everything was powered down and there wasn't a single person left in the building.
Alice found herself becoming increasingly annoyed, though it wasn't because of Leonard. She was annoyed at the hospital staff that forced him to extend his shift, annoyed that she had to be in the Science Complex in the first place, and annoyed at the damn curfew that made everything outrageously inconvenient for everyone.
She was so caught up in the things that annoyed her, that Alice didn't even fully register the footsteps that were approaching her from behind.
"Ms. Khan? Might I inquire as to what you are still doing here?"
And there was Spock. He annoyed Alice a little bit too, but not in the damning sense as the curfew did. More in the same sense that Jim was annoying, somewhat endearing if only quietly and momentarily infuriating. But as the tardiness wasn't Leonard's fault, the fact that Spock had to ask the personal sorts of questions which would insight deep analyzation beyond the obvious scope of what they meant wasn't his fault either.
Alice turned to look at him. "Dr. McCoy was supposed to walk me off campus once his shift at the hospital ended," a hard edge from her annoyance creeping in subtly. "Unfortunately the staff has extended his shift quite a bit, and I cannot leave because of the curfew."
"Do you know an approximation of his arrival?" Sometimes Alice swore that Vulcans used big words simply because they could and not because it was necessary by way of logic.
"No," she sighed. "I'm still waiting to hear back from him."
He hesitated, considering his options before finally speaking, "If it would not make you uncomfortable, I would be willing to escort you off campus."
Her immediate response was to turn him down, politely. His offer was one born of logic. It was logical to make the offer because it would be considered rude to simply walk off and leave her in the abandoned Science Complex. However, she was tired of waiting and she did have classes in the morning.
"If it isn't inconvenient for you in any way, I would appreciate that, Commander."
"Even if it were, I would not give you that information," Spock said pleasantly. "If you'll just give me a moment. Since we are the last two here, I need to arm the building's security."
"Of course," Alice said with a dismissive smile.
It was as she pulled out her communicator—fully intending to send Leonard a message about how he didn't need to worry about meeting her here—that Alice realized something was off. It wasn't the absence of something, though. She could hear Spock quietly walking over to the security console, the faint whir of the building's air system, their own breathing, the subtle hum of machines on standby, and the muffled noise from outside of the building. But underneath it all, there was something else, the presence of something that didn't belong. Not beeping, but a pulsing sound that was growing slower and slower, and accompanying it was a scent that she couldn't identify. Some kind of chemical…and it was coming from the elevator.
In the moments it took her to make the connections, Alice had already lost precious time. She didn't even take the split seconds required to warn Spock as she quickly tackled him to the ground, didn't bother being thankful they were in the lobby where tables were abundant as she kicked one, flipping it over so that it became a barrier. Alice didn't think of her own safety as she placed herself above a dazed, confused, and outraged Spock, becoming the second barrier for him after the table.
The entire building rippled violently with life in tremendous force as everything around them was knocked aside, thrown around, and torn apart by the explosion. Fire licked briefly at their skin before it dissipated, finding nothing to catch hold of; and in the same instant, the shockwave tore the breath right out of their lungs.
Skull-splitting pain erupted from the side of Alice's head as something whipped against her, cracking with enough force to nearly rip her off of Spock. But she did her best to remain where she was, anchoring herself and Spock to one spot, low to the ground, out of the way of most of the carnage.
And it was over.
Breathing erratically and her heartbeat frenzied, Alice allowed herself to make the attempt at standing, finding it miraculous that she was so steady. Her body was calm, her mind was clear, her emotions were kept in check as she surveyed the area.
Scorch marks tracked along the walls closest to the elevator. Everything that hadn't been secured was now thrown against the outer edge of the walls. Windows were blown out. The whole area looked as if it had been expanded, the walls bowing outward from the blast. Lights were flickering, and occasionally something would crash or shatter on the ground, only partially dislodged by the explosion.
And Spock hadn't moved.
"Commander!" Alice called as she moved to his side, rolling him onto his back. "Spock!" she yelled at him again, her fingers quickly searching for a pulse. He may not have responded to her, but Alice was able to find his pulse going strong and steady. To be completely sure, though, she did also check to make sure he was breathing.
Alice coughed, the smoke tickling her throat. "Sorry about this Commander," she said as she grabbed one his arms and legs, "but we shouldn't stay here," and hoisted him onto her shoulders, carrying him outside of the building. She made it down the steps when she decided that they were far enough away from the building should it collapse and carefully set Spock down. He had yet to regain consciousness.
Some of the upper levels were illuminated by a hungry fire that had found something to feed on. Glass from the absent windows littered the ground behind them, making the shards that remained in the gaping holes of the building look like fangs. Smoke rose in lazy clouds above the roof, and Alice felt a sense of surreal gratitude that she and Spock had made out of that mess mostly unscathed.
In the distance, the shimmering reds and blues of the response units flickered chaotically in front of her as they were frantic to make their way to where they were. And because it would take them some time to get there, Alice decided to check on Spock one last time to make sure he was in fact still breathing and had a pulse before she finally decided to press steady probing fingers against the spot that was raging with pain on the side of her head, finding her fingertips covered in blood when she withdrew them and shrugging it off as not being terribly serious.
Looking back at the partially demolished building, a betraying sort of thought danced within Alice's mind. If she hadn't been late, if Leonard hadn't been late, she wouldn't have been in that building when the bomb—because that is what it had been no matter what excuse Starfleet will come up with—went off. She would be safe and comfortable back at her apartment, not bleeding and calm despite the circumstances. But as quickly as that thought surfaced, Alice quickly quieted it with a logic that couldn't have been refuted.
If Alice hadn't been in that building so late, Spock would have been dead.
~~.O.~~