Very short one but Chapter eight is going to have some sweet moments.

Third week of December.

Spock did not usually dream, but he knew that was exactly what he was currently doing. He knew that Nyota was in Africa, she was not stood in front of him wearing that champagne colored dress. He was not pressing his body against the soft slim contorts of hers or running his hands through her silken hair. In his dream he carried out all the actions he had forbade himself to ever take. He touched his lips gently to hers in a soft kiss and as her dark curious eyes stared up at him as he ran his fingers down the edge of her jaw and whispered to her.

"I shall be gentle my Nyota."

Christmas Eve.

Spock had been reading one of his preferred books when the door chimed. He opened it to find Chris, leaning on the wall a bottle of some amber liquid in his arm.

"Spock!"

" Why do you seem surprised to see me? It is my apartment."

" I love you Spock."

"I find this situation awkward."

" Come have a drink with me."

"It is not Wednesday."

" No, it's Christmas Eve and there are a lot of lovely ladies at the naughty friars. Me and Bob are heading on a pub crawl and we need a third to make it a party."

" Who is Bob?"

" You know, Bob, everybody knows Bob."

" I do not believe I am acquainted with anybody named Bob."

" Bob, come here." Chris gestured somewhat haphazardly by flinging his arm. Spock heard some staggering footsteps and Robert Hill an astrophysics lecturer Spock had meet on several occasions appeared in the doorway.

" Hello Mr Hill."

" Call me Bob."

" Thank you Bob."

Chris entered Spocks apartment and through an arm round his shoulder. Spock stiffened at the casual contact.

" This man, this man is like a brother to me." He punched him on the chest. " An awkward little brother but a brother all the same. Ever in a tricky situation this is the guy you need.'

"You are both highly intoxicated."

" Yes, we are. Now get some of this down your throat and come join us." Chris handed him the amber liquid Spock smelt it, it had a strange smokey fragrance.

" You realize that this would not have the same effects on me as it does on you."

" Have some hot chocolate then."

" I find getting intoxicated on purpose highly illogical."

" Spock, you've got to come with us."

" Is it an order?"

" No, it's not. But you've got to stop us from walking out in front of cars or sleeping with some black widow women from T'Lani three."

"T'Lani threes population was destroyed by a war."

" You know what I mean."

" No, I do not believe that I do."

" You left me no other choice, Spock I am ordering you to come with us."

Spock spent a moment thinking whether it was a viable order. Star fleet members did have to obey their superior officers even when off duty but due to Captains Pikes intoxicated state he was not fit to command anything and therefore his orders did not hold any weight. Spock also considered the likelihood that in his current condition Christopher would get himself into some sort of trouble, based upon previous experience and level of intoxication there was a 76% likelihood he would say something regrettable, indeed confessing love for Spock was already something regrettable. 23% chance of an argument with another member of staff, 21% that he would injure himself in some manner and a 0.3% chance that there would be a physical alteration, Pike was not a violent man. Spock went to get his coat out the closet.

They had been out for an hour and Spock had already interceded on three separate occasions to stop Chris Pike and his friend doing anything that they would later find embarrassing. He did not know what the cha cha was but with a few carefully chosen words he had persuaded them that a fountain was not a logical place to do it. He had interceded when Bob Hill had decided to argue about some archaic game called football with a man who apparently supported 'those damned hawks" and stopped Chris from buying an Orion woman a drink. He was now stood at the bar ordering them more beverages, he did not think it a wise action to take but as the Chris told him that they would return to the academy once they had finished this last drink Spock had agreed, somewhat reluctantly at first. He patiently waited in front of the bar it was a busy night and it would take some time for the bar keeper to take his order. He sensed somebody looking at him, he turned to see a woman, dark haired five foot thee inches dressed in something that looked a little like the star fleet cadet uniforms except was made of velvet and had fake white fur around the cuffs and hem. He nodded politely at her then having finally caught the bar keepers attention ordered two beers and a ginger ale. Ad he waited patiently the woman came closer to him, she stood about a foot away looking at him, her eyes wondering openly down his body, Spock found it an inappropriate way to act in a public place.

"Looking for some fun officer?"

" The correct title is commander."

" Oh, I like that, Commander. Want some fun, Commander?"

" I am a Vulcan, we do not do fun."

He rejoined Chris and Bob.

" She was cute." Bob said. "Why'd you blow her off?"

" Spock has the hots for a cadet."

" I do not understand the meaning of the word hots in this contexts."

" Fancy, desire, like, want to," Spock interrupted him

"I understand. Although I cannot deny this, I am currently trying to suppress these emotions and would never act upon them."

" Man, that sucks." Bob offered his opinion.

"Spock, let me tell you a little something about emotions, Lust can be suppressed but love cannot."

" Can't fight that feeling bro."

" I am a Vulcan, I have control of my emotions. I do not wish to discuss this."

"Touche' isn't he?"

" Leave him be."

After finishing there drink and managing to get Bob to his apartment without any incidents Spock walked with Chris back to the on campus apartment block where they both had their quarters.

"I did not appreciate the fact that you told another member of staff that I am attracted to a student."

" He won't remember in the morning."

" You cannot be sure of that."

" Yes I can."

" How?"

" Because I won't remember in the morning and he's had a lot more to drink than I have."

" Tell me Spock, what are your reasons for suppressing your emotions towards Nyota."

" They are illogical, and I am her teacher."

"That doesn't entirely rule out dating her a little. You two could be good together."

" I will not allow it, so it would be pointless to speculate."

" Tell me something Spock, have you been thinking about her even though she's not here?"

" No."

" No?"

" No, only to meditate on how best to control these particular emotions."

" And whilst meditating do you think of her?"

"I try not to."

" Try being the word here I think."

" I have dreamed of her." He admitted, Christopher had always been an oracle for good advice, even when drunk. Illogical but true non the less. They entered the elevator, Chris was on floor three Spock on floor seven. Chris clapped him on the shoulder in what was apparently a friendship gesture in Humans.

" Bad luck my friend there's nothing that can be done for it." The door opened, and Chris staggered out.

" You have no advice."

" You're not ready to hear it."

Christmas day.

He had just finished a round of sit ups when the com link buzzed. This time he knew who it was, his mother always called him on earth holidays. He pressed a few buttons and his mothers face appeared on the screen, she seemed to have cut her hair short. It made her look younger than her actual years.

"Mother, it is good to see you."

" Merry Christmas Spokh."

" Merry Christmas."

" How did your date go? I've been wanting to ring you for weeks but your father seems to think to many phone calls without a proper reason is an invasion of privacy."

" It was not a date mother, as I have explained before a student was coming to use my kitchen to cook a meal."

" And how did your none date go?"

" She did not have the ingredients so I took her to eat at a restaurant in the city."

" Sounds like a date to me."

" It was not a date, the young woman in question is my student."

" Don't deny yourself love Spokh, you are more than capable of the emotion, you're half human."

" I have chosen the Vulcan way."

" Above all things to your own self be true."

" And who am I Mother?" Spock would usually say that he knew who he was, but these lately, being affected by so many different emotions. Acting illogically. He felt the familiar feeling of confusion, one he had not felt within the last five years. He did not know in which direction he was meant to travel. As a teenager he had made the decision to come to earth, to be a member of star fleet but uphold the Vulcan ways, it was the first time he had ever been unsure if this was possible.

" Half human half Vulcan, with all the best aspects of both. Do not deny yourself the finer aspects of Human life Spokh. Give it a chance. Promise me you'll see her again and reconsider."

" Mother."

"Promise me Spokh."

" I do not see the point, my mind is made up."

" You're missing out on some fundamental experiences Spokh, just because you believe you cannot be what you are. Human and Vulcan."

" I have made you unhappy Mother."

" It is sad for a Mother to see her son deny himself happiness."

" I will see her again and meditate on it one more time but I do not see the outcome of it changing anything."

"When you see her Spokh, just allow yourself to feel, do not hold any of it back, and see what happens then."

" That is against everything I have ever learnt."

" Sometimes risks bring wisdom Spokh."

Spock said goodbye to his mother and sat thinking for a time. He had sent Nyota a message on her birthday. If he were to take his mothers advice sending her a message wishing her a merry Christmas would be the first step in opening the door again to spending time with her alone. Just so that he could fulfill his promise and think it over again. He got his PADD typed a message and sent it.

Merry Christmas Nyota, I hope you and your family are well. Have a pleasant time at your home I shall see you when you return in the new year."