AN: Aaand, I'm back. Hello there.
Yes yes, I know...I am an abomination to the human race for not updating sooner. But I've have a really nasty couple of months. Remember those adorable floppy kittens I told you all about? Well, they died. Then I nearly died because the pneumatic infection I have in my lungs came back and I spent 12 days glaring at a heart monitor in ICU. (Translated: I have Pneumonia. Did you know it never goes away once you contract it? Because I sure as hell didn't)
So yes, I have very much not been in the mood for writing! Still! I'm back now. So here's your update. :) For pretences sake, pretend Spock enrolled in 2249 (not 2255) which would mean he was already a tutor when Uhura enrolled in 2255. (Their Star Fleet dossier's state that they both enrolled in the same year. Spock just flew ahead and was upgraded to Instructor during the last two of his four years)
"Spock! Hold on a second!" Distracted from his purposeful stride, Spock paused, and turned slightly towards the speaker. From the main shuttle bay doors, he spotted Pike pushing his way insistently through the crowd. Maneuvering himself around the many uniformed workers hurrying across the suddenly bustling hanger.
In the last ninety minutes the shuttle bay had almost exploded with activity. Within moments of the Rhozarian government officially denouncing their membership in the Federation, President Gural had issued a level one order to immediately ground all Star Fleet vessels inside Earth's atmosphere. This meant that the order had to be broadcasted on every radio frequency available. This action was somewhat difficult, as the frequencies differed depending on the area the shuttles had originally departed from, and the importance and rank of the Shuttle itself.
This was a precaution. Since Spock had first enrolment into Star Fleet five years ago, only two new interplanetary liaisons were made with the Federation. These were the Xelatian and Kasheetan planetary governments respectively. Both of these races were still members of the Federation.
It was a very rare and concerning event for a government to officially denounce their membership. From the research he conducted before he had enrolled, Spock knew that such a conjuncture had not occurred in over fourteen years. The forced removal of the Kelvan and Nacene races had been under excessive and extenuating circumstances. It was fortunate that there had been no serious repercussions against The Federation since their removal.
However, even though the Kelvans and Nacenes had been voted out by the founding members of the Federations Council, they had left peacefully. They had not departed with the threat of war.
The decision to ground all air traffic during the Rhozarian's departure from Earth was an unavoidable one. Even though it could cause some problems for many of the military run businesses and Government owned establishments all over the Planet. Star Fleet shuttles were used to transport emergency medical supplies and other organic cargo such as food and vegetable seeds to countries experiencing drought or other serious weather anomalies. Delaying them could have serious adverse effect on the lives of those who were awaiting those supplies.
Spock agreed with the President's decision however. It would benefit the already strained relationship between the Federation and the Rhozarian's if the detached species left Federation space without incident.
When the order had first been issued, Spock had excused himself from the delegates around him and left the conference room to find the nearest computer console. He had located one inside the office of Commander Pascal, the vice-head of the Video and Audio Transmission department. The older man had not yet returned to the academy, as such Spock felt he would not mind the impromptu use of his computer.
From her message the previous night, Spock knew that Uhura would be boarding the shuttle from Kenya at 1315. In normal situations her shuttle would arrive in San Francisco at 2155. Calculating the amount of time that had passed since all Federation had been given the order to land, Spock deduced her shuttle would have only been airborne for approximately one hundred and twenty minutes. He could not estimate the probability of her procuring another transport, but he was certain that she would have not made it any further than Portugal.
Frowning, Spock glanced at the small illuminated clock on the bottom right of the consol's computer screen. 1815. He did not expect the air space restriction to be lifted until tomorrow evening. Which would ultimately leave Uhura stranded overnight.
Not only Uhura, but any other cadet who happened to be traveling on that same shuttle.
Thinking deeply for a moment, Spock leaned forwards, logging himself into his personal account. Should she be stranded, she would appreciate any assistance he could offer...
Back in the hangar, Pike finally succeeded in maneuvering past the human blockade and jogged the short distance to Spock's side.
"Where are you hurrying off to?" He asked a little breathlessly.
"Sao Miguel. It has come to my attention there are three cadets stranded overnight" Spock replied. Pikes eyebrow raised skeptically.
"There are thousands of cadets stranded all over the planet Spock...you procured an embassy shuttle just to go pick up three of them?" He asked with some surprise. Spock simply nodded in response and continued his purposeful march across the shuttle bay. He was under a time limit after all. Pike followed next to him. He had always secretly enjoyed walking alongside the stoic Vulcan. People parted for him quicker than the red sea. It made getting around when they were in a hurry so much easier...
"Cadet Uhura is one of the three individuals stranded. Given the reason for her departure from the Academy, I felt it would be beneficial to her mental state that she return in a more calming mannor" Spock explained quietly. Pike's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline.
If Spock had stated that Uhura was the one who was stranded in the first place, he would have offered to go and collect her himself. Level One order be damned. And he agreed whole-heartedly. After everything that poor girl had been through, she needed to return to the academy with the right mindset. This was his opinion as her friend, not as her commanding officer.
What was so surprising though, was that Spock had used his rank to commandeer an Embassy shuttle just for one student. The man who had the same level of empathy as a teaspoon.
Pike knew Spock cared for Uhura, as did he. But he had always been under the impression that that affection was nothing more than the relationship between a tutor and his favorite student. Frowning, Pike slowed his pace to observe his friends retreating back thoughtfully.
Then the full realization hit him, and a startled chuckle burst from his lips.
"Ha!...There is hope for you yet my friend"
Ponta Delgada, 2345
The rain had finally stopped. Something which Uhura now considered both a blessing and a curse. Had the depressing downpour continued until Spock's scheduled arrival, she would not have felt the urge to take a short walk away from the small airport. As it had, the skies clearing to reveal a truly breathtaking view of the stars over what had turned out to be a picturesque and charming island village. Uhura had found herself almost wishing she was staying overnight. Almost.
Constancia had already left for the night. Which was another blessing as she had teased Uhura mercilessly since she had received the second message from Spock. In fact, Uhura had spent most of her time evading the older woman's questions rather than reading the transcripts Spock had sent her.
She would miss her though. Before she had left, Uhura had made sure to record Constancia's contact details. If she ever had the opportunity, she would love to bring the Portuguese woman to Kenya to meet her mother. The two woman would hit it off immediately...but Uhura had felt a cold shiver down her spine at the mere thought of the teasing she would have to suffer if those two women were ever in the same room.
As an unexpected and thoughtful parting gift, the canteen had been left open with a strict order to cook and make anything the three stranded Cadets needed.
All things considering, Uhura had immensely enjoyed her unscheduled visit to Ponta Delgada. It really was a beautiful island...when it wasn't raining.
Smiling softly, Uhura pulled her coat more firmly around her frame against the cool wind. She couldn't resist the urge to leave the complex. The view itself was worth the cold. Plus, she had offered to be on 'lookout' duty for any arriving shuttles.
The coat was not hers. It belonged to one of the other cadets. He had offered it to her when she had informed him she was going to take a short walk. Her own coat was hidden inside one of her suitcases.
Still smiling contently, Uhura allowed her mind to wonder.
She did not feel as apprehensive about meeting Spock as she had the previous night. His messages had lessened her fears. Her nervousness. Now, she was simply looking forward to seeing him again.
She had already decided to not talk about what had happened in the Communications laboratory. She wasn't feeling worried about returning to that room. On the contrary, she was actually looking forward to it.
But what she had firmly pushed from her mind (rather, she had forced herself to) was that short moment when she and Spock had lain together on the floor. His hands on her hips, her hair falling over them as a curtain. It was at that moment that she had realized that Spock was attracted to her.
The severity of the emotions she had seen in his normally expressionless eyes had burnt into her mind. He desired her. But she felt no form of accomplishment for knowing that.
She knew that she was attracted to him but...their relationship was, and could only ever be platonic.
Although...well, she was a woman. And he was a highly desirable man. She would be lying if she had not thought about him in a sexual way. Uhura let out a small scoff. She was positive over half of the student body, both male and female, had thought about him in that way. (Gaila had once given her a very detailed and expressive description of a dream she had had involving the Vulcan commander)
She had discussed that moment with Heri. In private. When she was sure her mother could not over hear. Always knowing the right thing to say, Heri had commented that his reaction could have been a perfectly normal one. Spock was after all, half human. And any heterosexual human male would feel some version of arousal when a woman lay on top of them. It was natural.
That had made her feel a little better...but...
No. There could be no 'but's'. Uhura considered Spock to be her friend. A good friend. There could be nothing more. She would deal with her own blossoming feelings as they came. She could not, and would not, impose them on Spock.
Letting out a deep sigh, Uhura stood, intending to relocate to the canteen where it was warmer. She lifted her head, wanting to take one last look at the canopy of stars above her. Then blinked.
One of the stars was getting bigger.
Frowning, Uhura glanced down at her wristwatch. (Also borrowed from the kind cadet) It was already 0030. Her eyes widened in surprise. Had she really been outside for just under an hour daydreaming?
Glancing towards the sky once more, she narrowed her eyes. Trying to focus on the moving star. Yep...that was defiantly a shuttle.
As she watched, the dark craft banked slightly to the left, turning into a decent.
He was here.
Smiling, Uhura turned and quickly jogged around the building towards the waiting room windows, where she knocked loudly against the glass. The two cadets glanced up – having been in conversation - before grinning and raising their hands in acknowledgment. Knowing that the two men had already offered to bring her luggage out with them, Uhura turned once more and walked back towards the landing strip.
The shuttle had barely touched the ground by the time she returned. Returning to her previous position (leaning against a cold railing) Uhura waited. There were mandatory checks to be completed before any pilot could leave his or her vessel, and she knew better than to interrupt that process.
After about three minutes, the shuttle door opened with a slight hiss as the locking mechanisms moved into the outer shell, and a dark silhouette stepped into view. Uhura forced herself to take a calming breath as she straightened herself, walking around the railings to walking slowly towards her Commander.
Spock met her half way. The glow from the shuttle's lights shone upon the back of his hair, illuminating the black strands.
"Good evening Cadet" Spock greeted. Uhura smiled softly and nodded her head in response.
"Commander" She replied.
"I hope your stay here has not been too unpleasant" Spock queried. Uhura laughed softly and shook her head.
"Only the first three hours. I found myself highly entertained by a local woman who works in the cafe"
Spock inclined his head politely, before raising his gaze to look around the immediate area. His eyes settled on the open doorway that lead back into the complex. Uhura turned also, smiling as her two traveling companions shuffled through the doorway. They seemed to be struggling with squeezing through the small gap with the bulk of their luggage and her own. Uhura laughed lightly, and moved to help them. A hand on her elbow stopped her.
Startled she turned back towards the man standing behind her, her eyes wide in question.
"I shall retrieve your luggage if you would like to take a seat inside the shuttle. Your posture suggests your body temperature is below normal" Uhura blinked, and glanced down. He was right, she had started to shiver. Smiling gratefully, Uhura nodded her thanks before moving around Spock towards her transport. It was blissfully warm inside the shuttle, if a little small.
There were only four seats inside the vessel. Which was not entirely surprising with a Type 6 craft. What was surprising was that the shuttle clearing belonged to the Embassy. There were subtle differences that could identify Embassy ships from the standard Star Fleet carriers. Embassy shuttles were modified to concentrate more on defense rather then agility and stealth. This was noticeable from the thicker than usual materials used to make the outer casing. Also, the ships were not built for long journeys. They were primarily used to transport members of the military or high speakers to and from different locations on Earth.
Comfort was valued higher than practicality, which Uhura had always found rather odd. Admittedly, the passenger seats looked soft enough to sink into, but if you needed to use the lavatory during your journey, you would have a little trouble maneuvering yourself through the small isle.
Considerably warmed, Uhura slipped off her borrowed jacket and folded it carefully over the back of the seat closest to her. As an afterthought, she also removed the watch.
There was a loud thump from outside, making Uhura start slightly. She tilted her head to listen. The three men seemed to be very close to the back of the shuttle. A luggage compartment maybe? Well, that would certainly help the lack of space.
Lifting her hands towards her face, Uhura blew softly on her numbed fingers, hoping to restore a little feeling into them. She observed the cabin around her as she did so. The pilot and co-pilot seats were standard regulation. Padded, but not overly so.
She had not had the opportunity to pilot a shuttle since her enrollment, although she had been taking a voluntary Basic Piloting and Navigation class during her free periods last semester. These classes were in preparation for her second year. Towards the end of the year, students were offered the opportunity to spend two academic quarters as junior cadets on board exploratory ships within the Gamma Quadrant. Although she had no particular interest in becoming a full time helmsman, she wanted to be prepared. Should a serious incident occur during her time in space, Uhura was confident she would be able to steer the ship away from immediate danger if she was the only person available to do so.
A sudden clod breeze bought Uhura from her thoughtful musings. Startled for the second time in ten minutes, Uhura turned. Smiling in greeting as Spock climbed into view. The two cadets close behind him. Nabu (the kind soul who had borrowed her his coat) gave an appreciative groan as the heat inside the cabin washed over him.
"Finally! Some warmth!" He sighed, falling gratefully into the soft seat she had bookmarked for him with his coat. Uhura took a step backwards as Spock passed her, her back pressing against the metal wall. She grinned guilty towards the shivering man.
"I'm sorry...I took you coat" She said ruefully. Nabu grinned and brushed her apology aside.
"I gave you my coat. I wouldn't be a gentleman if I let a beautiful woman freeze. Besides...I think Constancia would have come back and skinned me if I hadn't" Nabu shuddered. Uhura chuckled in amusement and shook her head softly.
Stepping away from the wall, Uhura glanced towards the remaining cadet, who was busying himself with closing the shuttle door. There were only two remaining seats. The co-pilots and the deliciously soft looking 'embassy' seat. Frowning slightly, Uhura glanced behind her towards the control panel.
As much as she wanted to experience being in control of a shuttle, even as a non-involved passenger, she was unsure if she were actually allowed to sit there. Academy rules were clear, only personal who were ranked Lieutenant or higher were allowed to sit in command positions. Even on non-regulation flights. Chewing on her lower lip thoughtfully, Uhura risked a glance at Spock. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings, concentrating on the panel in front of him as he prepared the shuttle for departure.
It was the other cadet, Hadehi, who made the decision for her. With the door finally closed and the locking mechanisms in place, he stood, turned, and promptly flopped into the seat closest to him. Both arms and legs askew as his sank happily into the padded material. Nabu snorted in amusement and rolled his eyes towards Uhura, shrugging one shoulder helplessly.
Well, that seemed to answer that question.
Turning, Uhura moved her body through the small gap between the two seats and sat down, taking care to keep hold of her skirt as she did so.
With the course programmed and everything prepared, Spock finally lifted his head to observe the three around him.
"It will take two hours longer than scheduled to arrive in San Francisco due to an unavoidable course change. If you require rest, I recommend you do so" He informed them. Uhura blinked and inclined her head slightly. It was evident that something important had happened with the Federation. The sudden grounding of all non-civilian and Star Fleet shuttles was evidence enough. Yet she was not going to ask. It was not her place to - as a Cadet she would be informed as and when she needed to be.
"May I ask why Commander?" Hadehi questioned. Uhura grimaced and almost rolled her eyes, turning slightly to glare over the back of her seat. Spock glanced only briefly at the younger male before turning back towards the main consoles.
"Unforeseen circumstances" Was all he said.
"Oh."
The four fell into silence after that. Spock slowly maneuvering the shuttle away from the ground and over the brightly lit village below them. Uhura was content to watch him. His hands moving across the panel in front of him with ease.
After about ten minutes had passed, Nabu and Hadehi took advantage of the more-comfortable-than-usual seats and fell into what seemed to be a content sleep. Glancing backwards, Uhura smiled. She had become rather fond of those two during the past twenty four hours. Hadehi was a little obnoxious, but his heart was in the right place. And Nabu...Nabu was a huge flirt who seemed to be terrified of women. Which had made his interactions with Constancia all the more amusing.
Letting out a deep sigh, Uhura stretched her arms above her tiredly and let her head fall against the back of the chair.
"If you are tired you should rest Cadet" Spock said quietly. Uhura rolled her head to the side so she could observe him.
"I'm not tired Commander. I'm just...relieved" Spock's eyebrow raised slightly at this, his posture relaxing slightly as he turned his head towards her.
"Relieved?" He asked. Uhura smiled and waved one hand absently.
"I'm relieved to be finally on my way back to the Academy. It's been a long day..." Uhura clarified. Spock seemed to nod in understanding, and the two once more fell into silence for a short while.
"Commander?" Uhura said quietly. Spock inclined his head to indicate he was listening.
"Thank You. For coming to get me, us. I'm sure it could not have been easy to procure a vessel. Much less one from the embassy"
"The rank of the shuttle is of no importance. It was available during the time I wished to solicit an aircraft" Spock replied nonchalantly.
"Even so, thank you"
Leaning backwards, Spock removed his hands from the control panel and turned his head fully towards her. His eyes locking onto hers carefully. Uhura felt her heart rate beginning to increase. She wished it would stop. She knew he would be able to hear it. With that enhanced hearing of his...he could probably hear the dull roar of her blood as it rushed towards her face.
"It was my pleasure"