It's a short one but I felt it should stand alone.

7th June

The final exams of the year had finished, the lectures had ended the day after Nyota's birthday and the last two weeks had been private study time. After a tense few weeks the cadets had spent the last night partying till dawn. Spock knew this because his rest had been disturbed by loud music and fireworks. Term did not actually finish till the end of the week but it was a time set aside for celebrations functions and tying up loose ends.

He had seen Cadet Uhura four times since her birthday. Each time he had felt a slight nervous apprehension. When she had come to his lecture the morning after looking tired and wincing at the bright lights she had given him a slight smile. He had found it difficult to concentrate during the lecture and his pace had been off so he had finished early for the first time ever. He had felt slight disappointment when he saw her walk out of the doors after he had finished talking but it was no the safest place within the academy to hold a private conversation.

On the Saturday in their usual phaser practice they had moved to long distant moving targets, Nyota only hit them twelve percent of the time but Spock did not touch her. After they sat at lunch and talked, Nyota talked about how much fun she had at her birthday and blushing apologized for any embarrassment she had caused in her drunken state. She had admitted that she could not remember some of the night and that she did not wish to experience 'the morning after' again. Spock felt disappointed at the idea that she did not remember the conversation they had when they stopped to look at the stars on the way to her apartment.

On the Wednesday Nyota had come to him for her final one to one Ontarian lesson. He had told her that she had made much improvement within the year and was now proficient enough in the language to cope with any contact she may have with the species. He asked if she would be taking any other none regulation languages the next year. She had confirmed that she would but was not entirely sure which yet, she had asked if he would be free to give her one- to - one lessons in the next year and he had confirmed he could find a slot in his timetable that suited her. She smiled at him as she left the office.

A week later in the advanced Vulcan written exam Nyota had kept looking up at him. After the cadets time was up she approached him and asked for a private word. His heart had increased it's tempo but he had nodded and led her into his office. She had sat down at his desk and looking down explained to him in an ashamed voice that she was aware that her sister had insulted him. As Nyonda had left after her two week visit she had pulled her younger sister aside and warned her to be careful around him. She had made bigoted remarks about Spock and Vulcans in general. Nyota had been truly shocked at her sisters attitude. She had said that her sister had always been shy around none Humans but Nyota had always assumed it was because she was afraid of embarrassing herself. She had told her sister that she didn't wish to speak to her again.

Nyota's eyes had filled with tears. He had placed his hand on her shoulder and told her not to break family ties over him. He explained that although Humans had been in contact with off worlders for over two hundred years their were still many who were xenophobic. He had experienced it many times and he felt as if her sister had merely been demonstrating a protective nature in trying to keep a perceived threat away from her sister. He had refused to accept Nyota's apology to him, she had nothing to apologize about, one could not choose ones relatives or influence their deep seated beliefs. Nyota had left to calm herself before her next exam but he sensed she had wanted to say a lot more about the issue.

Spock was required to go to the end of year ball in four days time. It was the only function of the year where he was required to wear his dress uniform. The night was formal and rigid and tended to have a schedule of planned dances, speeches and events planned around a new planet to join the federation or a newly discovered friendly species. Spock found it acceptable.

Spock was filling out forms requesting certain equipment to be provided on his science trip and an E-mail to the captain of the science ship asking that she ensure the guest quarters had extra sound proofing, a simple matter that only required a reprogramming of the computer. The doorbell rang, he had not been expecting anybody, he approached the door and pressed the com button.

" Identification please."

" Cadet Uhura."

He opened the door, Nyota was stood in front of him. She looked particularly becoming with her hair down in soft curls around her face, light make up and a short form fitting though not overtly sexy gray dress.

" Come in Nyota."

She stepped into the room the door sliding closed behind her. He stared down at her waitting for her to explain her reason for coming, she didn't speak.

" May I ask your reason for coming here?"

It was another minute and two seconds before she spoke.

"It's four day till the end of the academic year."

" Indeed." Spock did not add that he was well aware of the fact.

" Forty five weeks and three days since I arrived here."

" Yes."

" One year two months and sixteen days since I first met you."

" I believe you are correct." Spock answered curious as to what the point Nyota was trying to make was.

" I've one more for you." She said, she took a deep breath and he could sense her nervousness. " One hundred and ninety five days, or rather six months and thirteen days."

" I do not know what the particular number pertains to."

Nyota looked down, avoiding his eyes.

" It's how long it's been since thanks giving, since I first realized I wanted to be with you."

Spock did not speak, he did not know what to say, that was the exact day he had realized his feelings for Nyota.

" There were times before that.."

Nyota looked up, her Amber eyes held unshed tears, she trembled slightly as she took several steps closer to him.

" Four days Spock. I don't want to spend them without you."

Spock still did not speak, he could sense her determination falter slightly. He stepped close enough to touch her then he reached his hand out to her two fingers outstretched. She gave a small relieved smile and touched her fingertips to her, he felt a mixture of emotions, apprehension stood out above all others. He sent soothing feelings to her.

" On my Birthday I asked you to kiss me and you said you would If I asked you when sober."

" Yes." Spock felt his heartbeat increase a whole 23 percent, his mouth felt strangely dry although he had consumed plenty of fluids throughout the day. He swallowed.

Nyota stepped forwards, she pressed her against his as she had once before. He could feel her pushing calming feelings towards him. She must have felt his anxiety as he did feel some, but mainly he was filled with a delicious kind of anticipation such as he had never felt before.

" I'm asking Spock." She said her voice sounding breathless.

He bent his head towards her watching as she closed her eyes and parted her lips slightly in response. He brushed his lips gently against hers, as smooth and soft and plump as he had always imagined. He closed his eyes and kissed her with the slightest unobtrusive pressure, twice, three , four times, he felt as if he could not stop. And Nyota was moving against him pressing herself more firmly against his body. They both seemed to be pushing the kisses further, becoming more feverish and reckless.

Her lips broke from his as she took a deep rugged breath her forehead resting lightly against his. Their emotions seemed as one, a swirling passionate mess of happy desire and growing love.

Spock stroked his hand up her arm, he lightly touched her chin. Her lips met his again hard quick breathless kisses. He bent his head burying it against the smooth warmth of her neck. The silken hair tickling him, he brushed it aside, the fossil earrings knocked against his nose. He kissed down to the base of her neck nipping lightly on her shoulder before returning for another intense and long kiss. Her hands ran up his arms, along his shoulders and then came to rest at the nape of his neck where her fingers ran up and down the short hairs there. He felt the now familiar swelling in his pelvic region. Nyota gave a deep throaty groan after another tantalizingly long minute she was pulling away from him, hr hands sliding down to his chest to push him away slightly.

" Is there something wrong?" Spock asked, his own voice sounding strange to hi. She rested her head against his chest, she spoke in a murmur.

" I want more Spokh, so much more. But it frightens me."

" I understand Nyota, these... emotions, I have not experienced them before. I do not believe we could have more at this moment. If we are to do this, if we are to have a relationship that is intimate and romantic in nature then we must remain above suspicion."

She looked up at him.

" I want this."

" As do I."

" We shall remain above suspicion then."

' Indeed."

He placed a small soft kiss to her lips one last time. He wrapped his arms around her waist holding her close to him for four minutes twelve seconds. Then reluctantly pulled away, they could not stay wrapped around each other all night, even if he wanted too. They had four days left before they would be separated for six weeks, four days to ask all the questions that he wished to ask her. To take her to all the places he wished to show her and to let her know how much he wanted her.

" My Nyota."

She looked up at him.

" What shall we do tonight?"

She laughed.

" What?"

" We have four days, I wish to use them wisely."

She nodded.

"Okay. Well, can;t we just cuddle up on the sofa?"

" Indeed." It seemed to him a more than acceptable way to spend the evening.