A/N- I am astounded at how many people are reading and reviewing this, thank you so much. I included the poem since there were so many inquiries about it. I was nervous to do this because I am not a poet and I did say it put Shakespeare to shame *blush* and I know I could NEVER do that. I hope you guys enjoy it despite that  Oh and I was thinking of writing another version of this story from Uhura's point of view. That way we get more yummy descriptions of Spock, what do you think?

Firewolfe- The Prince of an entire planet-totally got it from you!

Chapter Three

The night was almost unbearable for Spock as he sat on his meditation mat. Sweat was pouring off of his normally serine face as Spock forced his breathing to slow to a normal pace. His body's tremors began to lessen slightly. It was worse at night, he would try to meditate but he knew that the first was normally not able to be dealt with that way. There was only one logical way but how could he face her like this? His logic was taken from him by a curse that he supposed was a penance for Vulcans repressing their emotions. He would frighten her if he told her the truth. Even if she wanted to help him he could not let her. It would change her life forever. Forever is a long time with half a man who can not express his emotions. He thought about the events of another day that was brought about by an illogical decision…

Saturday

Spock woke up several hours earlier than he needed to. It was illogical but he was just not capable of staying in bed another minuet. He decided to meditate for awhile but was not very successful. He took a deep breath and decided to pass the time by eating his normal breakfast of a banana and yogurt. He did not know when he developed a taste for yogurt. It was tart in taste and yet refreshing, it reminded him of many of the Vulcan foods he grew up eating. This brought him to a sudden memory of his mother. Amanda hated some of the Vulcan foods that her husband requested be put on their menu. Spock was always amused by his mother's picky eating habits. His father would even try demanding that she ate more than she did but his mother was just as stubborn as her husband. It usually resulted in Sarek calling her illogical and she would call him a worry wart. What ever that meant, Spock never thought to ask when both his parents were in this type of mood. He decided that instead of getting more lost in thought he would look over Nyota's translations she had given him at their last meeting. The first of her translations he looked at was the poem in English.

Fading

The desert is a hidden beauty and deadly if you forget her ways.

The blood spilt on these sands tonight hold nothing but the currency by which my dreams are paid.

The barest truth is written in the dark green drops, and the pain I see in your lovely face.

I will fulfill my destiny as I reach for you, giving all that I am for your last embrace.

In death I show my truer self, in flames for the heartbeat of darkest loves sweet taste.

Spock did not realize how well the poem translated into English. He hoped that by giving her this poem, he did not cause Nyota to draw the wrong conclusion. He knew that it was against star Fleet regulations for anything more than friendship to transpire between them. Spock thought about that for a moment. There was very little chance that a young human girl like Nyota would even want to be his friend much less anything further. It was curious that she invited him to come along with her today. Perhaps she did want to pave some sort of friendship with him.

He would be content with friendship. He had never had a true friend before and if that's what developed with Nyota it still would be more than he had with anyone else on Earth. It disturbed him to find an emptiness that he had not known existed. This need of a feeling of closeness with someone was illogical. However it was there. It seemed his mother's blood was more potent within him than he had originally thought.

Spock cleared his thoughts of the more inward analysis and read the Romulan translation. Spock was impressed. Nyota had recognized the Romulan roots in the Old Vulcan translation and used it to come up with a smooth and pleasing edition of it in modern Romulan. He put her perfect score on the top of the translation and then put the padd down. It was time to get ready to go. Now, the decision he had been putting off, uniform or Vulcan robe?

Spock arrived at the classroom doors at Seven thirty. Nyota was waiting for him. Spock was pleased that it seemed that she was as punctual as he was.

"Wow! I wanted to ask you to dress in Vulcan clothes but I thought you wouldn't do it!" Nyota exclaimed in delight when she saw that Spock wore his black Vulcan robe with the silver embroidery of a Vulcan chant of Surak. It was very light and was snug against his thin but well sculpted frame. Spock noticed that she blushed as she looked him over. Spock took this opportunity to take in what Nyota was wearing as well. She had on a tight pair of black cotton pants and a light blue blouse that looked radiant against her skin. Her hair was loose and lightly curled around her shoulders. He quickly distracted his thoughts away from Nyota's skin and hair in order to coherently reply.

"This robe is used for long journeys or days of traveling. I thought that since we are to do a lot of walking today it was logical to wear the appropriate attire in the Vulcan tradition," Spock said feeling awkward being the center of attention.

"It looks great on you Spock. I am glad you decided to wear it," Nyota said with a warm smile.

"I believe we only have ten minutes and thirty four seconds till the time to meet our transport to the exhibit," Spock replied, abruptly changing the subject.

"Oh, well let's get moving then," Nyota said as she gathered her purse.

The transport was preparing to depart when they arrived just in time to board. The other passengers stole a glance at Spock in his Vulcan attire. Spock was pleased that Nyota beamed with pride to be with him instead of being embarrassed at their stares.

When they arrived at the large center where the exhibit was being held it was obvious that this was a bigger deal than either of them had anticipated. Hundreds of people were either leaving or entering the building. It was safe to say that inside was going to be overwhelming.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize that it was going to be this crazy," Nyota said looking tentatively at him. Spock thought she must think that the crowds would make him uncomfortable. Any other time and she would have been correct. Today, he was willing to brave it in order to spend time with Nyota.

"It is of no consequence Nyota, are you ready to proceed?" Spock asked motioning to the exhibit.

Nyota nodded and lead the way up the long elegant flight of stairs. When they finally entered the building it was as crowded and convoluted as they had imagined it would be. Together they wondered around looking at the different art and visual stimuli around the exhibit. The largest presentation hall was designated to Vulcan culture. Spock and Uhura walked in slowly behind the crowds. The people behind them were speaking in whispers about Spock, wondering if he was part of the exhibit. Only Spock's sharp hearing actually caught what they were saying, much to his relief.

"Oh Spock look, they have ambassador Sarek speaking today!" Uhura said excitedly. Spock barely kept his composure. He had forgotten that his father did indeed have business to attend to on earth this week. It was only logical that he would visit and critique the Vulcan culture exhibit. He could now see his father's sharp uncompromising features and dark hair dusted with grey in the distance. Before Spock could try to make some excuse to leave a reporter ran up to him.

"What do you think about Vulcans stance on the militarism of Star Fleet?"

"I…" Before Spock could finish he saw his father calmly walk to his side.

"Spock is Star Fleet and does not speak for Vulcan or my house," Sarek said firmly and took the interview into his own hands without even looking in his son's direction.

Spock took this opportunity and grabbed Nyota's hand and began to lead her out of the exhibit with hast.

"Spock stop, what is going on?"

Spock slowed to a stop for he did not want her angry with him.

"I will explain, but I must request we depart from here," Spock said, his face calm but his eyes were pleading with her to oblige him.

Nyota nodded and without another word followed behind Spock.

He did not stop again until they came to the edge of the near by railing that over looked the river. Spock was silent as he looked out across the blue tranquil waters. His eyes were sad and angry, though the struggle to try to hide both emotions was apparent. Spock looked down and realized that he still had Nyota's hand in his own. He let her hand go letting his fall limply to his side.

"Spock, are you ok?" Nyota asked her voice filled with concern. She tentatively put a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, I apologize for taking you away from the exhibit. If you wish to return I will wait here until your visit is complete."

"No, I would probably end up hitting the very rude ambassador Sarek and that would not be good for Vulcan and earth relations," Nyota said with a smirk, wanting to lighten the mood. Nyota looked as if she was considering something then spoke again.

"How did he know your name?"

"Ambassador Sarek is my father, and I appreciate your restraint from assaulting him," Spock said, his eyes shining with amusement.

Nyota's eyes widened in shock and awe.

"You mean I have the equivalent of a prince of an entire planet as a teacher and I never knew it? Why wasn't this in your file?" Nyota blurted out before she caught her self.

"It is not in my file because it is confidential. All that it states is that I am half Vulcan and half human for medical purposes. Do you investigate all of your teachers Nyota?" Spock asked the corner of his mouth lifting slightly in his version of a smile.

"Only those who are my friend," Nyota said looking down at the water. Spock could tell that she had all kinds of inquires for him but kept them to herself.

Spock nearly smiled at Nyota's words. It made the disastrous meeting of his father worth it, to hear Nyota call him a friend.

"Then as a friend I should do something to make up for you missing the exhibit on my account. I have noticed that you are fond of music. I have a Vulcan lute back at my apartment, would you be interested in hearing it?" Spock asked.

Nyota's eyes shot up.

"You can play?" Nyota asked excitedly.

"Yes, but not extensively for quite some time," Spock said truthfully.

"I would love that, perhaps we could grab some lunch too. I'm starving," Nyota admitted.

"There is a vegetarian establishment near the academy. We could acquire sustenance there if that is agreeable," Spock suggested, primarily because it was the only restaurant that he knew.

"As long as they serve hot food I don't care," Nyota said her voice light and cheerful.

Spock and Nyota took the next transport back to the academy. They walked around the corner to the restaurant called, Mims. The restaurant was nearly deserted and they were quickly seated to a table for two. The waitress eyed Spock for a moment before taking their orders. Spock settled on a salad and altair water. Nyota ordered the eggplant wrap. After the waitress left Spock sat back, allowing him self to relax a little.

"I hope you don't mind my asking but, what transpired between you and your father?" Nyota asked in Vulcan so that they would not be overheard.

Spock took a deep breath and considered his answer.

"He does not approve of my choice to join Star Fleet over the Vulcan Science Academy. We have not spoken since I left Vulcan." Spock replied continuing in the language Nyota had chosen.

"So let me get this straight, two supposedly logical Vulcan males aren't speaking because of a career choice? That is …"

"Illogical, my mother said something very similar to your sentiment," Spock replied calmly, finishing Nyota's statement.

"Your mother sounds like a wise and patient woman."

"Yes she is."

Their conversation was cut short when the food arrived and they fell in to a comfortable silence as they ate.

Once the meal was completed they left the restaurant and made their way back to Spock's apartment. Of course Spock always left his living space immaculate which he was very grateful for as he opened the door and guided Nyota inside. She walked over to his coffee table and picked up the report that Spock had been working on this past week.

"I am decent at complex physics and mathematics and even chemistry but this I have never seen before," Nyota said looking at the padd with interest.

"No one has…yet" Spock said a little embarrassed it was not a complete formula and at the moment he was at a loss as how to finish it.

"Well I think it could use a little imagination," Nyota said a smile spread across her face as Spock raised an eyebrow.

"Elucidate," Spock requested his face as stone set as ever.

"Well I think I know what you're trying to do here and it's brilliant. You are attempting to increase energy out put from the warp core by focusing on another fusion possibility. However in order to do that you need to rethink your strategy. Sometimes new materials are the answer instead of beating a dead horse," Nyota said nervously.

Spock was enchanted and surprised. Since Nyota was not a scientist, he would not have thought that she would be able to translate the formula into exactly the function it was suppose to serve. However one part of her statement baffled him.

"I do not see how beating a dead Equine would affect the probability of the equations success or failure." Spock said with sincere naivety.

Nyota chuckled and rolled her eyes as she put the padd down.

"It's an expression Spock, never mind. What I am trying to say is that you need to look at other materials as possibilities," Nyota explained further.

"So I gathered from your earlier statement. I will consider it," Spock replied. He then walked over to where his lute was located in a far corner. He picked it up and tuned it by ear. Spock sat on his meditation mat as he prepared to play.

"What are you going to play?" Nyota asked as she sat on the couch and made her self comfortable.

"This is the musical rendition of the poem that I had you translate. I thought it would interest you to hear a musical translation as well."

"Very much so," Nyota said then falling into silence and waited for Spock to play.

Spock's thin graceful fingers caressed the strings lightly as he played. The music was slow, emotional and ran deep like the Vulcan emotions that have been repressed for centuries out of necessity. Spock noticed that half way through Nyota began to sing the words to the poem along with the melody. Her voice was lovely, and went well with the piece. When the song was finished Spock noticed that Nyota had moved from the couch to sit cross legged beside him.

"It was gorgeous Spock. Did you play professionally on Vulcan?" Nyota asked with a warm expression on her face.

"Only as a child," Spock said honestly. His father was only indulgent in his musical endeavors for so long.

"A prodigy, I should have known," Nyota said with mock annoyance in her voice.

"You have musical talent as well. Your voice is well trained," Spock said hoping his statement translated to Nyota as 'You have a lovely voice'.

"Thank you, I have been singing for as long as I can remember. My family loves music," Nyota replied.

Spock turned his head to look at her and now realized just how close they were sitting together.

Nyota's cheek almost touched his and he could feel her breath on his neck. Nyota became aware of their closeness as well and looked at Spock's face for a moment. Spock looked at her eyes and saw something smoldering within them. He could feel his own desire to touch her leap to the surface.

"It is getting late Nyota you should be getting back. I will walk you home," Spock stated quickly standing up, distancing him self from her.

"I guess you're right" Nyota said with a sigh. Without another word they left Spock's apartment. They talked more about other poems that Nyota wanted to try to translate into Romulan as they walked side by side. It did not take long for them to arrive at the girls dorms.

"It was a lovely day Spock, thank you." Nyota said softly as he accompanied her to the dorm door.

"Gratitude is not necessary when the enjoyment is mutual," Spock said not wanting his time with her to end.

"I will see you Monday Spock," Nyota said and then she disappeared behind the door.