(personal quarters - knock before entering)

[just_uhura]

*sits at her desk, reading a few scattered linguistics journals and tapping notes into the PADD at their side*

Comments

[cso_spock]

[approaches her quarters and stops in front of the doors. A moment of pause, before he reaches up and presses the buzzer.]

[just_uhura]

Come in. *closes the PADD and neatens her desk briefly before turning towards the door*

[cso_spock]

[the doors open. steps in enough so that the doors close behind him, hands behind his back.] I am not interrupting anything important...?

[just_uhura]

*shakes her head with a small smile* Of course not, just some reading. *hesitates for a minute before holding out a hand* Spock, are you alright?

[cso_spock]

[steps forward to take her hand in his, and after a hesitation, folds his other hand over it as well. he relaxes a little from just this.] I am not exactly certain.

[just_uhura]

*moves a little closer to him and rests her free hand at the base of his neck, watching him carefully* Do you want to talk about it? What's bothering you?

[cso_spock]

[his eyes are downcast] My mind is still...unsettled. From Vulcan--and now from this incident.

[just_uhura]

*nods softly, tilting her head down slightly to try and catch his gaze* Can I do anything to help? *lowers her voice into a softer tone* I'm here for you, whatever you need.

[cso_spock]

[looks at her for a moment before glancing away] There are some thoughts that I feel must be sorted aloud, if you will permit me. [a slow breath] May we sit down?

[just_uhura]

Of course. *slowly lets go of him and moves to sit on the edge of her bed, waiting for him to sit* What's unsettling you?

[cso_spock]

[sits down beside her, and holds her hand in his again] Since the destruction of Vulcan, my mind still feels 'open.' My emotional restraint is not necessarily faltering but--it is not as it was.

[just_uhura]

*listens with a thoughtful nod, running her thumb over the palm of his hand gently* That's understandable Spock, after everything you've been through.

*carefully reaches back out with her free hand, placing her fingers at the nap of his neck* Is that what you're worried about? That you won't be able to keep a handle on your emotions, like you normally do?

[cso_spock]

Essentially. [eyes are focused on their hands] Not that I will not, but that I cannot, now, with my recent actions. It is more than just succumbing to my emotions...I am reasoning myself into immoral situations. [closes his eyes]

[just_uhura]

*presses her lips together thoughtfully, continuing her soft actions on his palm* These immoral actions... *takes a deep, steadying breath* Do they have anything to do with the other Pike?

[cso_spock]

... [absolutely still for a few moments.] Yes, they do.

[just_uhura]

I thought so. *pulls her hands back and drops her eyes to the floor, hesitating for a moment before looking back at him* I went to see him earlier in the brig. He said... said some things. *picks up his hand again, holding it tightly between hers* It clicked.