Disclaimer – If I could claim Star Trek as my own I would

S'chn T'gai Spokh & Nyota Uhura

Earth date 24th December 2257, Andoria, Shranville chalets

The last of the guests had left the Commander's chalet. It was logical to hold a small gathering for the cadets who had attended the Advanced Phonology competition on Andoria. Most of them were Terrans and this time of the year was a special celebration on parts of Earth.

It was Cadet Uhura's idea for the get together to help curb the homesickness among the human students. The Federation calendar could not accommodate all its sentient beings cultural festivities or else hardly anything would be accomplished. Sadly one of its events fell on the earth date 21-24 December, a special time for most humans but just another period of time for the rest of the galaxy.

Spock being part human was familiar with the winter festival, four times his mother had taken him as a child to Earth during this part of the year for family time. His Vulcan father approved of his son being in touch with his human relatives but could not see the logic why his wife chose the coldest time of the year to visit her parents in Seattle.

He turned from the window and watched Cadet Uhura clear up. She had insisted on doing so as a tha nk you gesture, since he held the party in his chalet. It had more room and she was grateful that he put up with their 'exuberance'.

Spock found himself admiring the cadet more and more beyond a professional capacity. At first he did his best to meditate his attraction away since she was his student but it had been some time since Uhura was under his direct supervision. It was not unusual for students and teachers to have 'close relationships' in Starfleet but there were still strict regulations. There could not be an outright ban since there would be an uproar at such old Terrancentric rules. Sometimes a few mature recruits were already married to officers before they decided to join their spouses in Starfleet. This was especially common with certain races where it was the cultural norm to be in the same or similar line of work as your spouse.

Before they had shipped out to Andoria, he spoke to his mentor Captain Pike and asked for his advice. Pike suggested he use the opportunity to stake his claim before the cadet graduated and he lost her to someone else. Uhura was a smart and beautiful young lady also Starfleet assignments could be long and lonely, hook-ups were as common as warp drive.

"Time to go since it's all done and dusted," Uhura closed the recycle chute and dipped her hands into the antibacterial cleanser.

Spock took a moment to come up with a way to delay her departure.

"Would you care for a pot of tea cadet?" Spock asked, it was their custom to share tea during office hours at the Academy.

"I really should be going, it looks even colder out there," Uhura replied.

"It is the same as this morning, the geothermal activity ensures a constant temperature."

"Commander I bet you know how cold it is to the nearest decimal." Uhura smiled.

"10 Fahrenheit, -12.22 Celsius. The Andorians consider it a mild day." Spock answered.

"Wow, if this a mild day, I wouldn't want to be here when it's really cold." Uhura seemed to shiver in response. "Thank God for thermal underwear."

"I doubt Divine beings mythical or real contributed to your undergarments."

Spock's body heightened in response to images of a semi naked Uhura in woollen underwear. Who knew thermals could be physically stimulating?

Uhura smiled at the Commander's joke, she had learned working with him that he could be quite humorous, he was the ideal straight man.

"In that case I need to thank ch'Thane Global Enterprises for selling them to Starfleet, we could never land on this planet much more less head outside without them."

"Since the cold is an issue, a hot pot of tea would be a logical solution before you leave."

"Thanks, it's been a great evening but I don't want to take up more of your time."

"It is agreeable to have you here, the evening was most fascinating."

"I'm sure a group of loud, tipsy, partying cadets was not what you had in mind for your last night here Commander. You must want to meditate or something."

"'Or something'" Spock repeated softly.

Uhura picked up a change to the timbre of the Commander's voice.. If she did not know any better she would say he looked at her like a man admiring a woman. She shook her head, Gaila often teased her about an attraction between the two of them. She knew Uhura was beyond interested but was she right about the Commander?

"If you are concerned about disturbing your room mate I have it on good authority Cadet M'Ress will be spending the evening with Cadet Williamson."

"Really, how do you know?"

"It's all in the ears Uhura,"

This time Uhura laughed aloud at Spock's reply. "Ok a nice, hot pot of tea sounds like a good idea, I doubt M'Ress will be pacing the floor worrying about me."

"If you desire to increase the thermal energy in the living room feel free to do so. I believe the holographic programme has an earth style fireplace option."

"Can I put some music on as well Commander?"

"Indeed, and since we have not been on duty for some time, we can dispense with titles."

"Sure Spock, as long as you call me Nyota."

Spock was headed to the kitchen when he spoke. He turned and looked at her, he knew her full name from her Starfleet registry, he used to be her teacher after all but even when they were off duty he was 'Spock' and she was 'Uhura'. He felt that she was giving him permission to cross a line that they had stood close to for some time.

"Nyota, I will be with you shortly."

He returned with a pot of tea and laid it on the table next to the holo fire place where she sat. Music played in the background, they both shared an appreciation for Vulcan Jazz, a fusion of modern Vulcan and old Terran jazz styles by a human and Vulcan band 'The Iddic', very popular with the young generation.

"Mmmmm this tastes divine Spock, its different from your usual brew. What's in it?"

"Cinnamon."

"Oh, isn't that, well I heard somewhere that cinnamon, well it's a…" Nyota hesitated.

"Is an aphrodisiac for Vulcan physiology?"

"Yes. Is it?"

"No, not exactly. Not in this form."

"So what form does it have to be in for you to lose your inhibitions?"

Nyota sipped her tea, she looked at him over her mug awaiting his response. She wondered what made her feel so bold, maybe the cinnamon was working on her instead?

"If I give you that information, you might choose to use it against me." Spock returned, his eyes admiring how her face glowed in the artificial firelight.

"Would that be such a bad thing?" Nyota felt bold, she sensed a change in the air, and if they were both humans she would say the atmosphere was flirtatious. Did Vulcans even flirt? But who knew what lessons Spock had learned in his time on Earth, and he was part human after all.

"Only if the outcome was not to our mutual benefit." Spock returned huskily.

Well that answered her question then, not only could Spock flirt he had some serious mojo, she sat there letting him weave his spell on her. He seemed be sitting closer than he was a moment ago.

"And if I wanted it to be to our mutual benefit, what do I need to do?" Nyota asked, she placed her mug on the table and leaned in closer. He did not move, she was in his personal space and he did not move!

Well here was his chance, Spock thought, she was either behaving this way to amuse herself or she had the same goal in mind that he had.

"If you want an outcome to our mutual benefit, consent to an exclusive, personal relationship based on physical intimacy and mutual appreciation."

Nyota lifted her head in surprise, not at what he said but the fact he actually said it. Gaila was right, damn her she hated when that happened but in this case she could not be mad at her.

Spock mistook her hesitancy as disapproval, he immediately went into ultra Spock mode. "Forgive me cadet. I have offended you, I ensure this will not happen again…."

He never got to finish his sentence, Nyota grabbed his head and pressed her lips to his. Warm and soft lips pressed back.

"I agree," she replied as she raised her head. "I agree to consent to an exclusive, personal relationship based on mutual appreciation."

"And physical intimacy?" Spock asked, eyebrow raised, hoping that card was not being taken away from the table.

"Oh yes, lots and lots of physical intimacy," Uhura bent her head to kiss him again.

"After all Commander its cold outside, I'm gonna need you to warm me up."

Author's Notes

This chapter was partly inspired by the song 'Baby its cold outside'.

I used the average temperature of Antarctica and Siberia as a guide to how cold Andoria could be.

Cinnamon and Vulcans is all fanon.