Author's note: I want to thank each and every person who has left a review or story alert - you are all very special to me.

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Getting to Know You

Chapter Eight : Can't Fight This Feeling

Spock

Their Tuesday afternoon conversational practice was drawing to a close. Today their discussion had ranged from the weather to gardening. He tried to steer it in a different direction each time they met, to increase her vocabulary. She always seemed to find something interesting to say, no matter what the topic was. Occasionally they had widely differing opinions - that made the discussion almost heated at times. It was stimulating. There was something on his mind that he wished to ask her, but he was having trouble finding the correct approach. As she gathered her belongings, preparatory to leaving, he finally spoke up. "Cadet Uhura, when we first discussed having these meetings to practice conversation, I indicated to you that I had two free time periods."

"Do you need to switch to Thursday evenings for some reason? I do have free time then."

"Not switch, no. I was wondering whether you might like to add that time." He hoped that hesitant note in his voice had gone unnoticed. "Spontaneous conversation is much closer to the types of translations you will be required to provide than the rote phrases offered in the self-paced courses."

"That would be extremely welcome, sir. I feel that you have helped me with pronunciation, syntax, and vocabulary so much. I think I will be ready to take the exam in this language very soon. I'm anxious to start the next one. Shall we meet here in your office on Thursdays as well?" She smiled happily at him.

"Thursday at 1800 here in my office, yes, if that will give you sufficient time to complete your evening meal."

"I'll see you Thursday then. Thanks, Commander." And she was off, out the door, down the hall.

For some reason, grading papers did not seem quite so tedious that afternoon.

Uhura

It was Thursday evening and almost time to head back to the Linguistics building and she couldn't find that book she wanted to take with her. It had been right here on her desk this morning. She went through her tote bag again - no, it definitely wasn't there. She pulled open drawers, searching futilely. What could have happened to it? "Gaila, have you seen that book of poetry I had on my desk? The one in Andorian?"

"Hey, I carried that off to the library with me this afternoon to show that cute Andorian cadet I've got my eye on. He may have carried it off, sorry. I'll get it back for you."

"But I wanted to take it with me tonight for translation practice. And now I don't have time enough to pick out anything else." She fumed. She had really been looking forward to getting Commander Spock to help her translate some of the more obscure phrases in that book.

"Oh, sorry, didn't know you needed it right away. I could lend you a book or two." Gaila leered at her.

"No thanks, I don't think Commander Spock would think the books you read were very good for translation practice!"

"You're going to see that stuffy Vulcan AGAIN? I thought you already had that conversation crap this week?" Gaila looked at her inquiringly.

"Well, he offered me more time and I jumped on it. My proficiency has increased so quickly with his help, I wasn't going to turn down a chance for more." Gathering up her bag, she headed out the door, leaving her roommate gleefully speculating on this turn of events.

Spock

His desk was covered with small insects made of wire and glowing stones. The wings were so thin that they were barely visible from the side. The light glowing through them cast colored shadows on the dark surface of the desk. She was enchanted, smiling and laughing and carefully touching. "Oh, these are so beautiful! So delicate! Where did you get them?"

"I have been collecting them as a present for my mother. She does like small, delicate things like this. It is good to see that they are appreciated, I am sure now that she will like them. But you do need to use the language we have been practicing, Cadet." He chided her gently. "I thought perhaps these things would be easy to describe in this language."

"Sorry, Commander, I was just so enchanted with them." She twisted her tongue around the syllables that continued to be easier to pronounce with each practice session. She struggled for a phrase that would be appropriate for the culture the language came from. "These objects of artistic beauty please my soul."

He had great difficulty in swallowing his first thought. She would not appreciate being told that she was lovelier than the glowing insects. Now why was he thinking that. Illogical. Instead he replied "The crafter of the objects would be greatly pleased in observing your devotion to them."

As usual, the end of their conversational practice came far too soon. As she rose to go, he realized that it was completely dark outside. "Cadet, I will accompany you to your quarters. It is too late for you to be crossing the campus alone."

Surprised, she paused for a moment. "Why, thank you, sir, but it really isn't necessary. It's not far and the campus is well lit."

"Nevertheless, I feel it is my responsibility to see that you reach your destination safely as I am the reason you are out so late." He rose and locked the office behind them.

After he left her at the entrance to her dormitory and headed for his own quarters he realized that he had never walked a young woman home before in his life. It had been an unusual experience. Not, however, unpleasant.

Uhura

She couldn't recall a stranger walk since she had been here. Hardly a word had been spoken by either of them as they walked side by side on the path across the campus. She had been very conscious of his height beside her. She wasn't short for a woman, but he was very tall. And warm - she had felt his body heat radiating out. It had actually felt nice - like she was walking beside her own private furnace. It had been so correct. She wasn't at all sure why she felt so protected. But it certainly was a nice feeling. Did he intend to walk her home every week? She wasn't sure how she felt about that, either. But if he was, surely they could continue their conversation as they walked?

*****

The next week, he walked her back to her dorm again. This time they conversed as they walked.

****

The following week, as they were walking across the dimly lit campus, she remembered something she had forgotten to discuss with him. "Commander, next Thursday is Thanksgiving."

"Thanksgiving is not a Vulcan holiday, Cadet."

"Nor is it an African holiday, Commander, but it is a holiday here in the States and everyone will be sharing a terrific meal. Will you be eating with friends?"

He considered his answer. He wasn't at all sure why she was asking. "I have no plans to celebrate this holiday."

She cocked her head sideways and looked up at him. "Have you ever had a Thanksgiving dinner, Commander?"

Uncomfortable, he almost did not answer, but that would have been quite rude. "No, Cadet, I have not."

"Well, then, you will just have to come and eat with us. There are a number of us that will not be taking the short leave and we are cooking our own meal. There will be plenty of vegetables and other things you can eat. We rented one of the little kitchens and will be there all day, cooking and hanging out. I won't take no for an answer." She was shocked at her own audacity. Maybe he would be offended. She held her breath waiting for his response.

He stopped still. He had not been issued one single invitation of this type in all the years he had been at the Academy. In shock, he looked down at her. What was the proper response? Had she really meant the invitation or was it just 'manners'? She was looking up at him, obviously waiting for his answer. As he hesitated, he saw the expression on her face begin to change, her lips trembled just a bit. Was she upset that he had not answered? Taking what he thought of as a tremendous risk, he answered. "It would be acceptable."

Her face was instantly alight, her lips curved into a tremendous smile. "Oh, great! I'll bring you the information on Tuesday, then." Turning, she entered her dorm, leaving him standing there stunned.