Disclaimer: I still don't own Star Trek and I also don't own the song " just a little heartache." Or Shaksperes forty seventh sonnet. Bit of a music theme to this one as you can tell.
Spock had not slept, he had planned on keeping awake the whole night to listen out in case cadet Williams tried to break into the apartment in some way but he doubted he would have slept even if he hadn't been. His body remembered every millimeter of her from that split second when she had been pressed up against him, when she had kissed him. He had watched her all night eventually his eyes adapting to the dark so that he could make out her watched the serene expression of her face as she slept, the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the flickering of her eyes in R.E.M. sleep. Close to two in the morning she began to dream, she twisted in her sleep the covers getting pulled away from where they had been tucked close to her chin to rest on her shoulders. He was transfixed by her and the idea that she could be dreaming of him as he had dreamed of her. With her asleep he was free to look at her for hours without her becoming uncomfortable, he took in her long neck and ran his finger along her clavicle to the dip in the base of her throat and brushed her silky long hair away from her face. Then feeling slightly guilty he turned away and waited for her to awaken. But as she finally started to stir he felt he was unable to face her waking up next to him. He felt as if the wonder of her coming to consciousness and opening the beautiful ever curious eyes after a night of lying close to her and watching over her would take away the control of his emotions. He could imagine kissing her as she awoke, not as she had kissed him but to kiss her lips a deep and long kiss with whispered words that once spoken could never be unheard. Too young, against the rules, not yet.
He got up quietly and taking a towel out the cupboard went to take a shower. The hot water streaming down his back and chest seemed to wake him up to reality, he had a third year Klingon lecture to give at 9:00 and first year federation languages at 13:00 in between that he had to make the arrangements for room placements for the new term in February, and run the syllabus for his short extra credit course in Vulcan etiquette. He heard Nyotas timid footsteps, she would hear the sound of the shower from the front room and know that he was still in the apartment. Turning off the hot water he dried himself off and put back on the sweatpants he had slept in, his fresh clothes were in the bedroom. Turning on the extractor fan to get rid of the steam in the room he walked out into the front room. Nyota was sitting on the sofa, in her yellow pajamas, her hair was delightfully mussed and she was staring at him with a sleepy expression. He distinctly saw her eyes sweep down his bare chest and then she blushed slightly.
" Good morning Nyota, I trust you are well."
" Yes thank you, yourself ?"
" I am well. "
" May I have a shower?"
Spock thought the sudden image of a naked Nyota running down her breasts and stomach. He turned and walked towards the bedroom as he talked.
" Yes, I'll get you a towel." Spock heard her footsteps follow him into the bedroom. His breath hitched, it seemed to take him a lot of concentration just to walk over to the cupboard and pick out a towel. When he turned around towel in hand she was crouched over her duffel bag routing through it.
" I've forgotten my shower gel." She said looking up at him.
" You can use mine, or I can use the replicator to make you some."
" I'll use yours, if that's alright."
He nodded and handed her the towel, he watched her as she walked out of the room her fresh uniform tucked under her arms. He stood staring after her for a moment and then went back to the cupboard to change into his usual grey uniform. Showered and dressed he headed to his kitchen to make a cup of tea then he settled down on the sofa waiting for Nyota to finish in the shower so that they could breakfast together. He could hear the sound of the running water through the walls but after a few moments he could make out soft singing. He found it odd for Nyota to be singing in the shower, but it also fascinated him he listened to the words.
I'm about to go crazy, i don't know what to do
Coz I can't get you out of my mind.
And my heartbeat is raising when I see you at school,
and I guess I'm in trouble this time..
You don't know how I'm feeling, you don't know who I am.
And I don't know if you'd understand.
When i see you walk by there's a sting in my heart,
because I've been in love with you right from the start.
But it's not a big deal it's just something I feel.
It's just a little heartache, just a little heartache of mine..
All I want is to hold you, all i need is to know,
all I yern for one plaid of sign.
But I don't dare to tell you and I'm to shy to call,
so I guess I'm in trouble this time.
He sat down whilst taking in her singing, her tones were slightly off but unlike the singing of Vulcans there was emotions behind the voice. There was a beeping from his com link, turning his attention away from the singing he pressed the button on the coffee table to make the screen pop up , it was Christopher Pike.
" Christopher I was not expecting to hear from you."
" Yeah well, when I checked in on the office this morning I got told there was a deranged prisoner on the loose and he's going after you."
" Cadet Williams, if you remember was the man who accosted Cadet Uhura in the mess hall."
" I remember him."
" He was in the brig facing a dishonorable;e discharge due to attacking another cadet."
" Why's he after you?"
" We have had some issues, but Doctor Ohakim said that he shows signs of paranoia."
" But yor alright?"
"Yes. The fact that cadet Williams has made threats against me does not concern me."
Spock heard the bathroom door open, he did not turn around as he heard hurried footsteps and the swish of the bedroom door closing. On screen Chris leaned forwards in his seat craning his neck it looked as though he were trying to look passed Spock.
" Spock?"
" Yes, Chris."
" Did I just see a woman walk passed the back of you?"
" It is a possibility."
Chris stared at him then gave a deep chuckle.
" Who is she Spock?"
" It is Cadet Uhura."
Chris's face dropped, he looked puzzled and curious and a little panicked. Spock felt an explanation was required.
" Cadet Williams also made threats against Cadet Uhura, I was concerned for her." He paused at admitting the emotion , it seemed a difficult thing to say. " I brought her to my apartment to keep her safe.'
Chris looked relieved.
" Whew, no indiscretions then."
Spock hesitated, he could not tell Chris that in actual fact her had acted rather improperly with Nyota, not with Nyota a few feet away. He lowered his voice.
" I have to escort cade Uhura to breakfast now. I shall talk to you tommorrow night."
" Spock." Chris's voice had a note of curiosity and warning.
" Goodbye Chris, have a good day recruiting."
He shut the com link down and turned to look towards the door.
" You can come out now Nyota." He said loudly.
Nyota came out his bedroom, her hands held behind her back. With her came the smell of his mint shower gel, it was somehow satisfying to think that at that moment she was carrying the same scent as he was.
" I didn't mean to disturb your conversation."
" That is okay Nyota, I was going to contact the security centre but Captain Pike had just confirmed that Cadet Williams has not yet been recaptured."
" What's next then?"
" I shall accompany you to breakfast, to your first class and too lunch. I will gain a better knowledge of what is happening this morning so at lunch I will tell you if you can return to your apartment or not. Nyota I trust that you will keep to the main walk ways and busy areas when you are changing classes this morning."
" There are people I can walk with Spock, i'm not going to take any stupid risks."
" I doubted that you would Nyota. Are you ready for breakfast?"
" Do you have a spare bag I can borrow so I don't have to carry the duffel around all day."
" Of course."
He went to his closet and found a spare shoulder bag, she transferred all the items she would require for her classes. Then he walked with her to the door.
" Nyota, please remember that outside this room you are a cadet and i am your commander."
" Are you saying that inside this room we're not." Nyota smiled and then to Spocks surprise she raised two fingers in the gesture that they'd made last night. He hesitated then touched his fingers too hers for the briefest of seconds, only long enough to get the briefest burst of warmth and tenderness.
" I am aways your commanding officer Nyota, I am also always your friend but one must be seen and the other must not."
" I understand." She said smiling.
" I have every confidence that you will keep discrete."
hey headed to the mess hall in companionable silence and picked out different fresh foods to eat then sat at a table at the far end of the hall.
" Can we talk in your dialect?" Nyota asked in between mouth-fulls of porridge.
" More practice?"
" I just like hearing you speak it, it's more natural to you."
" Cadet." He said, to remind her of what he'd said as they'd left his apartment.
" But nobody else speaks the language." She protested.
" There is more to communication than words, and I would not want you falling into bad habits."
" Okay, I'll behave."
" Thank you, what do you wish to talk about?"
" I don't know."
" Then may I ask, why were you singing in the shower this morning?"
Nyota blushed slightly.
" You heard that." He nodded. "I have a thing for late twentieth and early twenty-first century music."
" That does not explain the shower part."
" I was just happy I guess."
" I am glad you are happy, especially given the current situation." She smiled in response and they continued eating for a few minutes.
" Do Vulcans even sing?" Nyota asked him.
" Yes, though it is not the same, they do not show emotion in their voices."
" You do."
" Do I?"
" Yes, it's very subtle most of the time but it's there."
Once Spock had escorted Nyota safely to her fitness class. He headed to his office, Commander Sinclair was never in his office earlier than 09:00 so he would get some work done while he waited. At 8:50 he closed his computer terminal and set off to Commander Sinclair's office. He pressed the intercom button and announced himself. When he entered Sinclair was sat at his desk drinking a cup of coffee.
" Ah Spock, it;s been a long time since you had cause to come to my office. Sit down." He gestured to the chair in front of the desk. Spock sat, he had thought carefully about what he was going to say.
' Commander Sinclair, I trust that you up to date on the Williams situation."
" Yes, it's pretty much travelled round the campus that the Cadet was making threats about you before he escaped."
" Yes sir, but he also made threat against a person that he called my 'protoge' I believe that he meant Cadet Uhura as I have been seen to have taken a personal interest in her and have been giving her extra help in languages that are not on the syllabus."
Comander Sinclair suddenly went pale and stood up, Spock was not aware as to what he had said to cause this reaction.
" Cadet Uhura?" Sinclair asked.
" She is safe Sir."
Sinclair sat back down.
" I'm an old man Spock, don't scare me like that."
" I did not mean to scare you sir."
" I'm glad you've shown and interest in the girl Spock, if she does well then we'll get the go ahead to recruit anybody over the age of thirteen, if they're bloody good that is. If she had been attacked then that's off the table."
Spock nodded, he did not want to point out that he was far more concerned for Nyota herself and not for Star Treks policies.
" So, why exactly are you here Spock, do you want me to put her under some sort of guard until this matter is sorted, because I have to say I don't think it's very likely Cadet Williams is coming back."
" That is my opinion also Sir. I just thought that I should inform you that as Cadet Uhura seemed to be in some danger last night and her roommate is not arriving back at the academy till tomorrow I made the decision to tell her that about the threats made against her and to take her to my apartment for the night. "
" Did you not think to tell somebody that Cadet Williams had been threatening her and let the security guards handle it."
" On retrospect that might have been a better idea but I was told to make extra effort to protect and guide Miss Uhura."
" Well, I suppose there's no harm done. I know you would never do anything, " he paused " dodgy I guess. You Vulcans are above all that."
Spock did not respond, he did not know how to.
" Well Spock, I guess you've thoroughly scared the kid telling her about it all."
" It is safer for her that she knows as she will not take any risks."
" True but what I'm saying is the girls probably going to be terrified going back to her apartment alone tonight. Your going to have to take her in for another night, just till her roommate gets back. I'll okay it just be very careful what you say to her we don't want any students making accusations against our teachers."
" I do not think that Cadet Uhura would make any accusations against me."
" I know, you'd never do anything that would give her cause too but teenage girls are notoriously fickle so take care."
" Very well."
" Take care Spock, I trust you."
" Thank you Sir."
Spock left Sinclair's office feeling a little uncomfortable.
Spock meet Nyota at 12:00 to escort her to lunch, he felt a moment of relief when he saw her safe.
" Commander." She greeted him at the door of her classroom. Spock noticed that other students were watching them as they walked passed. He walked with her to the lunch room where they lined up. Kendra was serving again today, she smiled widely when she saw him.
" Hello Commander Spock."
" Hello Kendra, I hope you are well?"
" Yes, fine thank you. You're so sweet to always ask."
Spock inclined his head, he did not like being called sweet.
" No Plomett today."
" No, I can see that. I will have the vegetable bake please."
She started serving him chatting as she did so.
" You know I'm allowed to attend some of the classes whilst I work here and I was thinking as it doesn't interfere with my schedule I would take your course in Vulcan etiquette."
" I shall add your name to the register, there are only twenty places and last year they went quickly as a lot of students need the extra credit when they are getting low marks in their modules."
"I'm kinda nervous, it;s been so long since I took any classes, perhaps you can give me some one to one tutoring."
" If you require it but you may be underestimating your abilities Kendra."
" I'm taking Vulcan etiquette." Nyota said from behind him, Spock turned to her he was puzzled she'd never mentioned to him that she desired to take the class and she did not need the extra credit.
" Perhaps we can help each other out." She continued. Kendra smiled sweetly at her but Spock found there to be something rather menacing about it.
" Ah, you're such a sweet kid." Kendra replied her tone slightly off.
Spock watched the two women starring at each other and deciding the what ever was happening Nyota could probably handle it herself he picked up his lunch tray thanked Kendra and headed for his usual table. Nyota joined him a minute and fifty seconds later.
" I am not going to ask you what is going on between you and Kendra."
" No, I'm not going to ask you what's going on between you or Kendra either. I know it's not any of my business."
" There is nothing going on between me and Kendra."
" I know, but she thinks there is or at least could be."
" I have no interest In Kendra Cadet."
She nodded at him then smiled.
" I know that Commander, I just got a bit angry at her flirting with you." Spock looked across at Kendra watching her as she worked, he had talked to her three times a week since she had begun working at the academy September of the previous year.
" Was she flirting? I tend to miss these things."
Nyota laughed and Spock felt all the familiar feelings. He adored it when she laughed.
" Anyhow, i have some bad news." He begun, though in fact the news had pleased him and he hoped it would please Nyota.
" Oh?"
" I talked to the head of department today about the Williams situation and he believes that you are quite safe now but you shouldn't return to your dorm room until your roommate returns, just as a precaution. So you will have to stay with me again tonight." Nyota smiled at his words.
"Thank you Spock."
At 17:00 Nyota's final class of the day ended and Spock was there to meet her.
"Cadet."
" Commander." Spock noticed more curious eyes looking at them.
" Do you wish to collect some fresh clothes from your dorm room?"
" Yes, that would be nice."
They walked together to her dorm room talking naturally about there days classes, he as lecturer her as student but both of similar opinions. When they arrived at her room Spock turned to Nyota.
" Will you please open the door Nyota, then srand behind me."
" Okay."
She stepped forwards, placed her hand on the door panel and typed in the code he'd told her the previous day. She stepped behind him as the door slid open. Spock cautiously stepped into the room . He looked around the bedroom checking the cupboards and dropping to the floor to check under the beds then checked the bathroom.
" All clear." He called behind his shoulder, Nyota entered.
" I just need some cloths to relax in tonight." He nodded and watched as she reached into her cupboard and packed some clothes into the already heaving bag that Spock had lent her. He turned away as she collected her underthings and wondered up to her window where he took a moment to check the plant that he had given her.
" I need to water it." Nyota said, he heard her footsteps walking close to him and then a little intake of breath.
"Zambarau." She said stepping passed him. She ran her fingers along the dark purple petals.
"Ajabu."
" I will have to learn Swahili." Spock said, it would not do for her to be able to speak his first tongue and him not to speak hers. He would endeavour to learn it, perhaps she could spare some time to teach him. She turned to him with a distant expression and Spock got the distinct feeling that she had not been aware she wasn't speaking English.
" It means wonderful." She explained then she walked to her cupboard where she got out a water bottle, she filled it in the bathroom then watered the plant.
" I'm ready." She said when she had finished. Their walk to his apartment was more relaxed tonight and Spock noticed there were fewer security guards around, apparently in their minds the threat was long gone. Back in is apartment Spock turned to Nyota.
" I was not planning on cooking a meal, are you okay using the replicator tonight?"
" Yes, that's fine. I have an assignment I wanted to start working on."
" Can you work here?"
"Yes."
" Do you need to use a computer terminal?"
" No, I've got everything I need."
" I shall be meditating for the next few hours. It is a private act, please avoid disturbing me unless necessary."
" Okay." She smiled settling down into the armchair. Spock was glad she had understood, he went into his meditation room.
It was 19:13 when he came out of the meditating room, his emotions had been particularly difficult to get under control as of lately. Nyota was still sat in the chair, she had a note pad and pen in her hands, all submissions were electronic so Spock surmised she was still in the planning stage. She looked up and smiled at him as he entered the room but then went back to concentrating on her assignment . Spock quietly walked into the Kitchen and got some food from the replicator he sat eating silently, he began listening to the sound of her heartbeat again, it was becoming familiar to him and he felt connected to it in some strange way. When he had finished eating he went out into the front room and sat on the sofa reading a book, his gaze drifting to Nyota every so often. The first time she looked up at him and gave a small playful smile over the top of her writing pad but as time went on he saw she was looking increasingly tired and frustrated. At 20:48 he looked up to see her resting her head in her hand frowning and staring down at the sheet of paper as if it had caused her some personal insult.
" Nyota." She looked up at him.
" The assignment is not due in tomorrow and you are starting to look tired, you will not be able to concentrate on it much longer." He said softly.
" I know." She sighed. "I just want to finish up the first draft. He nodded, he could not argue with her without seeming to be patronising so he continued to read but ten minutes later when she shut the pad and placed it on the table he felt some small relief. She got up and her heard her typing something into the replicator. He walked into the kitchen to find her sat quietly eating.
" You are frustrated." He said, she looked up at him and shook her head.
" I'm just finding this assignment difficult, that's all. I have to explain in writing the mechanics and history of the communication systems on the star ship."
" I can assist you."
" I think I've got it now. " She gave a small smile. " I've always had trouble with this module, my Father says it's good for me to struggle with something, says's it's character building."
" That is a very wise thing for him to have said." He sat across from her. " What do you wish to do once you have eaten?"
" I don't know, I'm tired, i need to relax."
" DO you wish to watch another movie?"
" I didn't think about getting another one."
" What would you be doing if you were in your own quarters?"
" Listening to music I guess."
" I have music, you are welcome to put some of it on the speakers."
" Thank Spock."
After she had finished eating Spock lead her to the draw where he kept the little square music disks in neat order. He observed her carefully reading the labels.
' I realise that they may not be to your exact tastes but I hope that you find something you can listen too."
" I'm just trying to make out what the ones in Vulcan say, there are some words I am not familiar with."
" Most are names of instruments or composers, others translate to to concerto, symphony, quintet. I will teach you them when you are less stressed."
She smiled as she picked one out.
" I understand some of this." She said gesturing to the label on the disk she was holding, Spock felt a slight embarrassment, he would not act upon it if she wished to listen to that one then she may, it would be of no detriment to him.
" It says performed and sung by Spokh." Nyota grinned widely.
" That is correct."
"You sing?"
" Obviously, that disk was recorded when I was a teenager, shortly before I came to earth in the last week of my training on Vulcan."
Nyota proceeded to put the music into the small speaker slot next to the door. The sound of Spock's lute filled the room, Nyota went and sat down on the sofa, her face turned from a smile to a look of concentration. Spock went to sit next to her, this time he allowed her to sit close to her, less than an inch apart. He watched the slight changes in her expression as she listened to his eighteen year old self playing. He had enjoyed playing the lute from a three year old child, it was one of hi teachers who had signed him up to play at his groups final parents assembly, a time when all the parents came to witness aspects of there children's achievements. Nyota turned to stare at him as his voice came over the speakers singing a piece he had translated and adapted into Vulcan.
" It's such an emotional song." She said bewildered.
" It is an earth poem, a particular favorite of my mothers I was singing it in honor to her."
Nyota looked down her mouth slightly open then she met his eyes again.
" It's Shakespeare." She said shocked.
" I told you I knew of Shakespeare. It is sonnet forty- seven."
Nyota smiled and then leaned into him, he felt her soft warmth against him as he had been wanting to for what seemed like the longest time, she leaned her head against his shoulder and he dropped his head slightly to look at her. She shifted at his stare as if she were going to move away from him but Spock not wanting her to go reached across and touched her shoulder for a brief second, letting her now he wanted her to say. He felt rather than saw her smile as she rested her head against his shoulder. Spock found that he could no longer listen to the music which continued on to the performances made by his class mates. He only seemed to be able to concentrate on the wonderful feeling of having her close to him. Too soon the music came to an end and Nyota sat up and yawned.
" You are tired." Spock noted. She nodded sleepily.
' We shall retire." He said, there would be no further argument tonight about where they would be sleeping.
" Yes." Nyota replied. They each moved into the bedroom and Spock collecting his night clothes first headed to the bathroom to get changed and freshen up. On returning to his bedroom Nyota went and did the same. Spock got into the bed as he waited for her. The sight of her coming into his room dressed in her yellow pajamas and walking over to join him in the bed thrilled Spock, he hoped that he would get to witness it again at some time.
Arranging herself carefully under the covers, seemingly aware that they both had bare arms and Spock would be uncomfortable if they accidentally brushed against each other. Nyota seemingly comfortable turned to him. Spock waited to see if she would talk, instead she gave a weary little smile and extended two fingers towards him.
He felt his lips twitch slightly, Nyota smiled widely in return. He pressed his fingers to hers and the continued to softly rub them up and down. The warmth filled him and he could feel that beautiful life force close to him. He could experience her emotions and that tingling that began in his arm and soon spread to consume the whole of him. His heartbeat increased as did his respiration, slightly. He felt her happiness, her wonder, her curiosity. It was her curiosity that was was causing the slight probing he felt in his mind, he knew she was not intruding on purpose . She did not understand the nature of the connection they were making, he would have to explain it to her before they got to the point where they could reach each others thoughts, he would not be comfortable with that, not yet. For now he just gently blocked her probing and went back to experiencing her.
As he continued to rub his finger gently up and down hers he felt the connection between them deepening and she opened up more to him. he felt the adrenaline start to pump through his veins. he wanted her, he wanted to explore her, to know her, body and mind.
He felt the rare swelling in his groin, heard Nyota's gasp and pulled away quickly knowing he'd gone to far. Their bodies were distant from each other but she had sensed his desire through there telepathic link. Impulsively, it seemed, she laid her hand on his cheek, Spock took a moment to marvel at the sensation of warm skin against his own then tenderly took her hand in his and removed it from his cheek.
" No Nyota." She gave a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
" Okay." She said taking her hand from his.
" Sleep well spokh."
" Sleep well Nyota. Computer, lights out."
They turned from each other and once Spock had cleared his head and suppresses his physical reaction to her touch he drifted off into t contented sleep.
Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took,
And each doth good turns now unto the other:
When that mine eye is famish'd for a look,
Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother,
With my love's picture then my eye doth feast
And to the painted banquet bids my heart;
Another time mine eye is my heart's guest
And in his thoughts of love doth share a part:
So, either by thy picture or my love,
Thyself away art resent still with me;
For thou not farther than my thoughts canst move,
And I am still with them and they with thee;
Or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight
Awakes my heart to heart's and eye's delight.