"I'm definitely right." said Chapel
"Your logic is quite flawed." replied Spock. The two of them were sitting outside, it was a nice day and both were doing homework.
"It's an emotional situation. But really, I hope he tries." Christine chuckled. "Can you even imagine if he tried to ask M'Ress out?"
"Vividly. As a Caitian she would most likely not even give response."
"At least any other girl he's asked out who said no has given him a clear, polite, and more often than not friendly answer." said Chapel. "Might humble Jim a little if something else happened."
"That is also flawed thinking. Nothing so inconsequential will 'humble' Jim at all." Spock looked down at his PADD.
"You haven't written anything in a while." commented Christine. "Stuck?"
"I am taking an additional course on basic medicine."
"Seems to me you'd already have taken first aid."
"Slightly more advanced than that. It is proving to be a challenge. One that I will figure out as I do not intend to fail any classes."
"Well, why not ask Bones for help?"
"He is not currently speaking to me."
"Again?" she laughed. "Eh, tell me how he is tomorrow. But for now, here. Let me have a look. I am a medical student too, you know." Spock handed her the PADD.
"You have Professor Draven."
"Yes, how did you know?"
"It's a trick question." said Chapel. "He does that." she handed back the PADD.
"That does not seem logical. It seems to be that it would only frustrate his more emotional students. And as for me, I do admit to confusion."
"Conflicting data, triage, unknown virus, difficult patients, doctors and nurses are under a lot of pressure. We need to be able to roll with the punches."
"That does make logical sense. So, he is trying to give a more practical preparation for the challenges you may face?"
"That what we tell ourselves. I should probably go." she stood up. As did Spock. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Christine." she smiled, quickly hugged him and then ran off. Spock sat back down and went over the problem again, although now it was quite obvious why it had no logical answer.
"Hey Spock!" Kirk plopped down in the seat next to him. "I just saw Christine Chapel coming from over here."
"Yes, she and I were talking and helping each other with our assignments."
"Is that all?" said James with a grin.
"James, it is confusing to me why you and Leonard insist upon seeing-or more correctly imagining-a relationship between myself and Christine that simply, does not exist."
Kirk chuckled. "Because something ought to be there, Spock. Underneath the whole 'emotional control' thing, you have emotions. And I refuse to believe any you may have toward Cadet Chapel are entirely platonic."
"Talking about Christine?" Leonard walked by and sat on Spock's other side. "Did you finally ask her out, hobgoblin?"
"Of course not. Nor will I ever 'ask her out'. Our relationship will remain exactly how it is." Spock stood. Kirk grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back down.
"Nu-uh. not this time." said Kirk. "No more walking away from conversations you don't like."
"There is no logical reason to continue this conversation." said Spock.
"Humor us." said Bones. "Answer, ummmm, five questions-yeah, that's a good number-from us two combined then we'll leave you alone, alright?"
"I will." agreed Spock.
"One." began Kirk. "Do Vulcans posses Emotions on any level?"
"We control them, but yes, we do."
"Two." said McCoy. "Do emotions ever have any effect on a Vulcan's actions."
Spock thought for a moment about the repercussions of answering truthfully. And then decided to. "Yes, some situation are moderately altered by a personal perception of them, which can have a slight emotional influence, especially in young people."
"I knew it!"
"Shoosh, Bones, my turn." James said. "Four. Do you have any sort of non-platonic feelings toward Christine Chapel?"
Spock remained silent for a moment before answering. "I do not know."
"So, he finally admits to not knowing something." said Leonard, smirking.
"There are many things I do not know. How you manage to be so unfailingly irritating despite my control is one of them, Leonard."
"Why, you lit-"
"Okay, knock it off, guys. So, question Five."
"It was my turn."
"You forfeited the question by getting off-topic. Now, Five." restated Kirk. "Assuming after a little soul-searching you realized you had some romantic feelings toward Christine, is there any entirely logical, non-emotion reason to not act on them?"
Spock opened his mouth to list a good number of reasons a Human-Vulcan relationship could not work. And then closed it and looked down. He couldn't say anything. Everything he said would be hypocritical, as his very existence was proof such a long-term relationship could be successful.
He could say that it would be too much of a strain to continue the relationship after the graduated and he would want a long-lasting relationship. But, James' parents had been married and his father on duty tours, leaving her behind when he had been growing up, and he had even mention once that Chris had first met their father at the age of one and a half, when he got a position at the base in Riverside.
Perhaps it is time to mention her. Thought Spock.
"Well?" asked Bones. "We're growing old over here."
"Vulcans marriages are arranged I cannot simply go and select my own choice for marriage." said Spock.
"Are you serious?! Said Kirk. "Arrange like 'marry this girl you've never met or else' arranged?"
"Yes."
"Dang." said Bones. "Tough. I mean that, that just, sucks."
"It is logical." said Spock. "I would ask at this time, you leave the reason why alone. I would greatly appreciate it." They, thankfully did.
"But then, your mom. How...?" asked Kirk.
"My father's first wife died, leaving him free to choose another for himself." Spock stood.
"I have answered your questions, and more. I have other tasks to complete today, so if you'll excuse me I'll see you both this evening."
"Okay, see ya Spock."
"Bye, Hobgoblin." Spock nodded and walked away.
He got to his room , pulled shut the curtains, turned off the lights, sat on the floor and closed his eyes, trying to meditate, a task he admittedly did not perform as often as he thought he ought to.
His thoughts insisted on wandering back to the conversation he just had.
"Assuming after a little soul-searching you realized you had some romantic feelings toward Christine, is there any entirely logical, non-emotion reason to not act on them?"
I have logical reason. But it refuses to assert itself in my mind. Why? I am bound to another person. So why do I entertain thoughts about, Christine?
Spock opened his eyes, stood and re-lit the room,. This wasn't working.
My feelings toward her are not as friendly as they ought to be. he admitted to himself. But I refuse to ever act upon them. And I know she understands. Or at least, would understand if she knew hwy
Spock sat at his desk and continued on his homework, awaiting the return of his roommates.
Yup. I just decided to make T'Pring exist. I still ship Spock/Chapel anyway.