Forbidden Love

Here is the second chapter. I hope you like it.

At exactly 20:00 hours, Cadet Uhura stood outside Commander Spock’s quarters and pushed the chime to alert him to her presence. When she heard his voice call out to enter she took a deep breath and smoothed her uniform down and entered. Nyota was nervous. She could not think of any reason why she was being called here in such a fashion. Her work had been exemplary and she had not been in any trouble. Spock was known to be a very stern instructor who required much from his students but she was not one yet. She looked around his living quarters which were comfortably furnished although not many personal touches were present. The Commander came around the corner and Uhura snapped to attention.
“Cadet, would you sit down, I understand many humans ask that their guests get…what was the phrasing…ah yes…comfortable.”
“Thank you sir.” She responded and took a seat on the couch.
“I also understand that it is customary to offer a guest a drink. I can get the replicator to make you anything you desire. Coffee is I believe the chosen drink.”
“No thank you sir.”
Spock noticed the crinkling of her nose when he mentioned coffee. “You do not partake of coffee?” He asked.
“No sir, I prefer tea.”
“I will get some..”
“Sir, the replicator doesn’t brew hot tea very well. If you insist upon getting me something to drink a glass of water will be fine.”
Uhura watched the commander raise his eyebrow at her then move to the replicator to request her water. He brought her back the icy glass and out of nervousness and politeness she took a sip before clutching the glass nervously in her lap.
Spock watched the young cadet. She was fidgeting and clutching her glass. He did not understand her body language. She was pretty from human standards. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but her face and body appeared tight and she was frowning. “Is the water not acceptable?” He asked.
“It’s fine sir.”
“You may relax, cadet. You seem to still be at attention and you are frowning.”
“I am fine sir.” Nyota said. Spock continued looking at her and the silence deepend. “Permission to speak freely sir?”
“Granted, Miss Uhura.”
“I’m nervous sir. I don’t understand why I have been brought here.”
“Why are you nervous? Did I unintentionally give you the impression you would be reprimanded?”
“No sir, it’s just a human reaction. I feel as if I have been brought to the principal’s office.” His eyebrow raised again.
“I am not centrally located, I do not comprehend why you would say such and you have come to my living quarters not my office.”
“It means I feel I am in trouble sir.”
“Fascinating.” His silky voice said. “Cadet, if you were in trouble I would have summoned you to my office not my quarters. I find I have been requested to converse with you if that is acceptable to you.”
“By whom, Sir?”
“Captain Pike. Now, Miss Uhura; having read through your transcripts so far I find that you have above average intelligence and a great deal of logic. What may I ask are your goals?”
“To be the communications officer abord a star ship, Sir.” She stuttered.
“What do you do to relax?”
“Sir?”
“What do you do on your own time, cadet?”
“Well, I study sir.”
“What else?”
“I am not understanding the question sir, what is it that you want to know?”
“I require to know how you spend your free time, cadet. You appear to be a most promising student. Captain Pike says he has not seen a more dedicated student since myself. He is also showing concern because he does not feel you relax. He used the phrase that he believes that you may burn out without some sort of outlet.”
“And he requested you talk to me?” Uhura asked in shock.
“Indeed. The Captain sees some similarities between us and believes I will be the most logical choice to talk to you.”
Nyota sat for a moment in silence and then began laughing. She laughed so hard tears came to her eyes. Spock raised an eyebrow as she gave both laughed and cried. “Do you require time to compose yourself?” He asked. She shook her head no and tried valiantly to stop laughing. Finally she hiccupped and took a sip of water before relaxing into the couch.
“Why did you both laugh and cry?” Spock asked trying to understand.
“Sometimes when humans laugh we cry too, they are called tears of joy.”
“Fascinating.”
“I apologize, Sir. I didn’t know what to expect but I surely did not expect this.”
“There is no need to apologize as there has been no emotional or physical upheaval.”
“Yes sir.”
“So I repeat myself. What do you do when you are not in class or studying?”
“I read sir.”
“Read what if I might inquire?”
“Mostly about the history of other life forms. For example, I have read a good deal about Romulans.”
“And what of Vulcans?” Spock asked in curiosity.
“Not much sir.”
“Perhaps we can remedy that. And do you converse frequently with any other humanoids?”
“You mean, do I have any friends?”
“I just asked you that ten point five seconds ago.”
“Not really sir. I am here to be the best, not to make friends.”
“It appears that we do have a few things in common after all.” Spock said. “The Captain is correct that we are similar and may therefore be able to converse more freely. I suggest this Cadet Uhura, we meet two times a week here so that we may converse or play chess or do whatever we can to give you the necessary time to relax.”
“Can you teach me more about Vulcan?” Nyota asked excitedly.
“If you request this than I will of course oblige you; as much as I can.”
“That would be wonderful sir.”
“Then I will see you here Tuesdays and Thursdays at 20:00 hours.”
“Ok.” Nyota answered him and smiled.
“In the interim, I find that I must give you an assignment to be completed. I wish you to speak to one cadet a day for at least ten minutes until we meet again. I will take your word that you will do this.”
“Yes sir.”
“Good. Dismissed Cadet Uhura.”

After Nyota walked out of his quarters Spock found himself in a curious state. He found that he did have a desire to help this young cadet but desire was something he really wasn’t supposed to feel. He pondered that for a moment and then made a decision and moved to the wall. “Call Amanda Greyson.”
“Acknowledged Commander Spock.” The computer voice said.
His mother picked up the phone quickly and Spock soon saw his mother’s image in front of him. She looked concerned as it was rare for him to call her.“Spock, are you all right?”
“Yes mother, I am performing at optimal levels.” He watched her get a small smile. “I need your advice on a matter.”
“Of course my son. What can I help you with?”
Spock told her what he had been asked to do and what Cadet Uhura and he had discussed. “I am not sure of which path of conversations I should choose. Is there a human way of determining that which has the most probable positive outcome?”
“Spock, I can’t tell you what to say, this is something you must do on your own but do make an effort to talk to her. Tell her about Vulcan, tell her about your childhood. Tell her about you.”
“That would be illogical Mother. Vulcans are very private as you know.”
“Yes but humans are not. If you want this girl to talk to you and to trust you, you must allow her the same courtesy. What is her name?”
“Cadet Uhura.”
“Why don’t you start with names since I’m sure she is calling you Commander.”
“That is incorrect. She classifies me as Sir.”
“That is even worse.” Amanda laughed. “Exchange names, find things in common and talk about yourselves. That is how this needs to work.”


TBC