Learning Human Nature

Summary: Spock has noticed Cadet Uhura and wishes he knew more about how human inter-act "romantically."
Rating: NC 17- nudity, sex
Pairing(s): Spock and Uhura
Feedback: reviews welcome.
Characters: Original characters - Uhura's father, Vernon Uhura; her sister, Kendra; her sister's lover, Max; a friend, Gabriel and the Vulcan, Sunval.
Author’s notes: This is my first fanfic. I hope you enjoy it. Story takes place 2 years before the movie begins.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek, Star Trek fandom or any of the Star Trek characters portrayed in this story nor did I receive any financial compensation for writing this story.


Learning Human Nature
Chapter 10 “Insufficient facts always invite danger."

When Spock disembarked from the shuttle with the rest of the Vulcan contingency he was struck once more by the heaviness of the Terran air and for a few minutes had to adjust his breathing to accommodate his lungs. The other Vulcans each carried a small palm respirator in their pockets as standard issue for visits to Terran type planets. But as a human/vulcan hybrid he seemed to adjust quickly and had no need for the device.

The four Vulcans had arrived at a large hotel near Paris where they would meet with several representatives of the mining industry for a three day conference on advances in drilling techniques. Though this wasn’t of particular interest to Spock, he was mindful that he was here on a mission. The important part of which was to find out where Uhura had traveled after she left Starfleet Academy on semester break.

He checked into his room and charged the PADD to look at the itinerary sent to him by the Terran Mining Consortium. After reading it, he closed the file and opened his message inbox. Nothing from Nyota. Though he couldn’t blame her if she never spoke to him again, a new sense of hope had captured his spirit and he felt lighter in some way.

He had sent her simple message before leaving Vulcan and hoped the transmission would arrive in tact as non-essential interplanetary communication was subject to frequent failure or delay. It read:

“Nyota, I am on my way to you. Please tell me where you are. Spock”

If she took offense at his trying to communicate with her after nearly 5 weeks of silence she might not even read a message from him. He would have to reach her some other way.

His mother had been very happy when he announced he was returning to Earth early to fulfill Sunval’s request of him, and she hoped, to return to the woman he so clearly loved.

His father was pleased that Spock had been invited to attend the conference and as always was proud of his son’s reputation in the science community. In any case, his departure from Vulcan had been uneventful till the last moment when his mother always became somewhat emotional at their leave-taking. Her eyes were bright but she did not shed tears.

Instead she embraced him tightly and whispered to him, “I am so proud of you, and I love you Spock.” He had returned the sentiment in his way.
“Mother, I am grateful for your guidance and love.”

The conference had been monotonous and Spock spent most of his time alone going over spec sheets on drills and other equipment the Terran Mining Co. wished to market on Vulcan. He had thankfully had little translating to do as the Vulcan participants spoke little and then mostly to one another.

At the end of the third day he was ready for his duties on behalf of Sunval to be completed. He had written hundreds of words conveying all aspects of the proposals to Sunval who responded with a note of gratitude and the confirmation that as soon as the conference was over, Spock’s commitment was fulfilled.

The reception at the close of the conference was formal and thankfully brief. Though he wasn’t there on behalf of Starfleet, Spock wore his dress uniform as it was acceptable as formal attire.

As he was speaking with one of the Vulcan science delegates, the conference director and another man came up to them and spoke to them in Standard Federation.
“Good evening sirs. I’m Marcus Bening. I don’t believe you have yet met one of our most advanced mining experts.” The second man was tall and had a look of confident intelligence. “This is Vernon Uhura of Terran Mining Inc. Mr. Uhura, this is Sedvik and Spock of Vulcan.”
“I am pleased to meet you both. Thank you for coming,” he smiled but nodded in the acceptable Vulcan greeting rather than offering his hand to shake.

Spock’s face went blank for a second as his brain processed the information he had just heard. Could it be that this man was somehow part of Uhura’s clan or family? He had no idea how common her family name was among humans. He looked into the other man’s eyes and tried to see if he detected any resemblance to Uhura but he could not.

“I apologize for not knowing how to greet you in Vulcan, but my daughter, who is somewhat of an expert in languages, says I wouldn’t be able to pronounce the words.”

For a moment Spock felt a warm sensation rise along his spine to the nape of his neck. He quickly tried to calculate the odds of there being another Uhura whose daughter was a linguist. But the needed statistics were unavailable to him and he stopped trying. Sedvik was saying something to him in Vulcan, he refocused and listened to his colleague then translated.

“Mr. Uhura, we thank you for the hospitality,” Spock said calmly in Standard Federation. But in truth his mind was reeling. This was beyond the realm of logic. If Spock had believed in the miraculous he would have had to admit this was it.

For the remainder of the reception Spock divided his attention between translating for the one Vulcan delegate who did not speak Standard Federation and keeping an eye out for a chance to speak with Mr. Uhura privately. He didn’t know exactly what he intended to say to him, but he hoped to find out where he could find Nyota without having to reveal why he was looking for her. Just before they were to leave the reception site he saw his opportunity.

Mr. Uhura was standing alone by a large fountain having just said his good byes to several of the other attendees. Spock walked deliberately over to him. The older man was contemplating the water falling from an arrangement of stones built into the wall structure.
“The water is very soothing isn’t it Mr. Spock?” he asked as Spock stood looking at the water beside him. Spock thought he heard a hint of Uhura’s voice inflection in the words.
“Indeed it is. I have especially missed the water since I returned to Vulcan for the semester break from Starfleet Academy.” Spock replied. Mr. Uhura looked at him more closely.
“But you are not a cadet there, your rank insignia is that of a Commander. Correct?”
“Yes, sir. I am an instructor there.”
“My daughter, Nyota, attends Starfleet Academy. She’s a cadet there studying Xenolinguistics.”
“Yes sir, I am acquainted with her,” Spock ventured.
“Acquainted?” said Mr. Uhura his eyes probing Spock’s face as he began to suspect there was more here than polite conversation. Spock drew in a breath and continued.

“Mr. Uhura, it is extremely important that I find Nyota and talk with her,” he went on, “I made an error in judgment which I deeply regret. I would like to apologize to her… in person,” he finished.
“Are you the man who has made my daughter so unhappy?” Mr. Uhura asked bluntly.
“Yes sir. I believe I am that man,” replied Spock who suddenly wished he could beam away from this spot.

If Vernon Uhura had not seen something in Spock that told him the younger man was sincere he might have resorted to an ancient Earth custom of pummeling Spock with his fists. He had received several messages from his older daughter that Nyota was trying to get over a failed romance with someone at the Academy. He had never imagined she would be involved with a Vulcan. Yet here he was standing in front of him, admitting his transgressions. Not many young men of today had that kind of character, he thought.

“Sir,” Spock interjected again, “If you could tell me where I might find her… She has not replied to my message of inquiry. And I do not know how to reach her otherwise.” Uhura saw that the young Vulcan was clearly distressed.
“Why should I help you find my daughter?”
“Because I have crossed a galaxy to make amends.” Spock said.

The older man was thoughtful for a moment then he spoke choosing his words carefully.
“Commander Spock, Nyota is my most beloved child. I could never do anything to cause her pain. It seems the same cannot be said for you.”
“I regret that you are correct Mr. Uhura for I have injured her feelings.”

Something in the young Vulcan’s voice told him that Spock was intent on making things right with Nyota. And on instinct alone he replied.
“She is on Sardinia, off the coast of Italy. She’s staying outside Porto Torres in Villa Palatino with her sister and some friends.” Then he looked Spock in the eye, hoping he was doing the right thing.

“But I warn you Mr. Spock, do not trifle with my daughter. Or you will answer to me.” Spock only nodded and left quickly with the rest of the Vulcan delegation who were waiting for him at the transport shuttle.
Vernon Uhura wondered if he would regret what he had just done and hoped he would not.

Free from the responsibilities of the mining conference Spock checked out of the hotel the following morning after packing his belongings and sending them on to San Francisco. He wanted to travel light and took a shuttle to the Orly Field where he boarded a craft bound for Rome. After a layover of several hours, he located a private shuttle pilot who, for a price, would fly him to Porto Torres.

Arriving on the island just after dark with only his civilian clothes and a small pack, he stopped at the local hotel and secured a room. He touched the PADD on the table by the bed and searched the map and locations of several villas. He didn’t see Villa Palatino listed but decided to set out to find it and, he hoped, Nyota.

The afternoon of the party both Kendra and Nyota had spent their share of time in the bathroom getting “fru-fru” as Max put it. No one would deny they made quite an entrance when they walked down the stairs both dressed in silk, looking and smelling feminine and sensual, elegant and hot.

At the party, Kendra noticed fairly early that Nyota was drinking champagne one glass after another. Normally she wouldn’t worry as her little sister was fairly well known to be able to hold her liquor. But ever since arriving on the island she had been so down that Kendra wanted to keep a watchful sisterly eye on her. She was thankful that Gabriel had been in perfect attendance on her all evening.

As some of the guests danced to the band and others gathered around in small groups to chat, Gabriel saw that Nyota had reached her limit if she was going to leave the party on her own two legs.
He saw Kendra and waved her over to where he stood by the French doors that led to the garden and then the beach.

“I think I ought to take Nyota home.”
“I’ll go with her,” said Kendra. But Gabriel waved her off.
“No, I’ll take her. You stay here with Max,” he winked, “You might be his good luck charm. He’s playing cards with my father.”
“OK, be careful.” She tossed him the keys to their front gate and went back inside to find Max. She wasn’t worried as long as Nyota was with Gabriel.

The drive home was dreamy for Nyota. Of all the alcohol she had ever consumed, champagne provided the most luscious altered state of consciousness. It was sometimes rough the next day but delicious while it lasted. She felt cozy in the front seat of Gabriel’s car and for the first time since they met she felt completely comfortable with him.

He had been nothing but a dear companion since they arrived. Casual and sweet in a non-committal way, she liked his easy manner and cavalier attitude to life. It was a stark contrast to Spock’s serious and logical approach to life.

They pulled into the drive that led up to the villa and parked in front of the gate at the front door. She was not drunk but she was high from the champagne and giggled once or twice as they got out of the car. Gabriel fumbled with the old fashioned lock, swearing in French as he tried to insert the key. Nyota laughed at his tantrum and took the keys from him.

“Here let me do that.” She grabbed the keys from his hand and he protested.
“No, no, I’ve got it.” He laughed too grabbing her hand. Before she knew what was happening he kissed her.

She hadn’t expected it and if not for the champagne, wouldn’t have accepted his kiss. But at that moment all the misery of the previous month dropped away and she kissed him back full on the mouth. He put his arms around her and for several minutes they stood at the gate unaware of anything but their frivolous pleasure.

Spock looked around getting his bearings and letting his eyes adjust to the lack of light, the sun having set a couple of hours earlier. The hotelier had identified the location of Villa Palatino and from the map it looked to be about a thirty minute walk from the hotel. He decided it would do him good to stretch his legs and consider how he would put into words all he needed to say to Nyota.

He had so much for which to atone that he did not know if he could convince her he was truly contrite. And that if she would have him, he would happily promise himself to her and none other. He wished to replace the ache in himself with something his mentor Sunval had recommended… joy.

He walked for about a half an hour and eventually saw the centuries old sign that read ‘Villa Palatino” carved in a piece of a stone in a wall at the end of a gravel drive. He stopped for a moment then began the walk up the gently sloping drive to the villa past a long row of cedar trees.

He saw them in the dim light of the waning half moon. At first he thought the couple entwined together in an embrace was a statue similar to ones he had seen on his walk to the villa. It seemed all of Italy loved to commemorate lovers in marble. He knew before he actually recognized Nyota, that it was her. Something in his stomach gave a twitch of fear and he stopped where he was and watched them for several minutes.

He knew then he had come too late.

Almost involuntarily he took another step. He was only 10 meters away and could see them clearly in silhouette against the light from the gate lamp. Her hand was on the man’s neck as she leaned her head against his shoulder. Spock stood motionless.

Nyota heard the crunch of gravel behind them and stopped, her lips parted enroute to Gabriel’s mouth for another pleasant kiss.
She felt his gaze and suddenly whirled away from Gabriel’s arms, looking at the ghostly figure standing in the drive. The only features she could make out were his arched brows and black eyes. For a second she thought she was hallucinating.

“Spock?” she said in disbelief. As if in a dream Spock saw her turn toward him and then he felt a blinding flash of pain hit him somewhere in his chest. He couldn’t speak and his legs felt like they belonged to someone else. He turned and started walking quickly down the drive. He might deserve this but that didn’t mean he could bear to see it.

“Spock!” Nyota screamed after him. She fled Gabriel and ran after him. “Spock.!” She screamed again. She thought she might have imagined him standing there. But she ran on, hoping against hope that it was really Spock. That he had really come for her at last.

She reached the bottom of the drive and stopped, listening for his footsteps. She saw no movement and heard nothing but the sea and the keening of the nighthawks. She heard Gabriel coming down the drive behind her. He touched her arm.
“Nyota, what is it? What did you see?” She looked for a moment longer and then shook her head.
“I don’t know. Nothing I guess.”

Spock walked toward the sound of the sea. Coming through a thicket of small trees crumpled and stunted from the constant barrage of sea wind, he saw the water sparkling in the dim moonlight. He dropped to his knees and facing it, sank down onto his thighs in the sand trying to regulate his breathing and calm his mind. He concentrated on entering a deep meditative state. The extreme emotions he felt were too much for him. His Vulcan half was engorged with rage and sorrow all of which his human half seemed determined to make him feel to the last bit.

He had no idea how long he knelt there but the stab of pain in his knees as he rose told him it had been some time. The moon had moved lower on the far western horizon and the stars had danced across the sky overhead. He looked up at them and wondered what he was to do without her. He knew it was oblivion he sought now, not joy.