Reciprocity
Title: Reciprocity
Author: Montiese
Category: Romance
Pairing: Spock/Uhura
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing, not the characters, the show, or the song.
Summary: “I do not feel these butterflies, as you call them.”
Author’s Note: In my mind, this was a drabble. You see how well that went. This takes place before they become part of the Enterprise crew. I find I really enjoy working with the beginnings of this relationship. Feedback is lovely.
No one would ever imagine that it had been him; it was surprising to Nyota herself. It was their fourth date though she was only calling them that far in the back of her mind when the hour was late and she could not sleep. He was an instructor after all, and she his assistant; there were rules of conduct to consider. Not that anything the cadet and commander had done could even be considered improper. When they were “caught” having tea and engaging in “passionate” conversation about the language of sexuality and violence in Shakespeare’s tragedies, Commander Wright simply said he wished more cadets spent their free time with friendly and academic endeavors as opposed to liquor and hedonism. Spock and Uhura were a shining example to their peers.
Their fourth date was much of the same, tea and intellectual conversation. They both loved to talk about their interests, this time it was 21st century influences on the youth of today. Everything old was new again, from rock music to comic books. Spock recently procured from a colleague a piece of music from a jazz artist named Diana Krall that he found to be near perfect in its tone.
“I do not know if all of her music can make the claim but I was…moved.”
Uhura could not believe it when he said it. She wanted to hear it with her own ears. As if Spock could read her mind, which she sometimes feared he could, he invited her back to his quarters.
“I believe you should hear this masterpiece for yourself.” He said. “Your ability to judge timbre and quality is nearly unmatched.”
“I would love to.” She said, her lips curling into a smile.
“I have a new ginger root tea, from home, which I believe you will appreciate. Your palette seems suited to the fare of Vulcan, Nyota.”
Not all of it surely, but she did not like all foods on Earth either. The few things she sampled with Spock pleased her. The tea sounded lovely though they drank so much during these “dates” that she was about ready to explode when she returned to her own quarters.
This was the first time she had been inside his personal space. He lived alone, though she was not sure if that was because of his position at the Academy or who he was. There were other Vulcans at Starfleet but he did not spend much time with them. From what Uhura gathered they looked down on him. She knew that look well…whatever you did would never be good enough. Spock did not talk about it, she did not ask, but she suspected being half-human had something to do with it.
She was alone while he prepared the tea. Her fingers wanted to explore everything; the sculptures, the books, and the light fixtures. It was like a tiny piece of his beloved home right there at the Academy. The books especially fascinated Uhura. It was difficult these days to get your hands on a real book…PADDs held everything a cadet needed. You couldn’t feel a PADD though, touch it, or hold it close. You could not inhale the scent of paper, glue, and the precious souls who held it before you.
“I believe the…”
Uhura let out a sound of surprise as the book fell from her hands and onto the carpet.
“I did not intend to frighten you.” Spock said, placing the tray on the table and coming over to her.
“I'm alright. I was in my own little world for a moment.”
They both bent down for the book at the same time, their foreheads bumping. It wasn’t hard but caused Spock to jump back. He quickly stood again and Uhura smiled, holding the book close. She noticed Spock’s breathing changed but he was doing his best to pretend it had not. His best was quite good.
“My father read Dr. Seuss to me as a child.” She said.
“My father thought it illogical to fill a child’s head with such whimsy but mother was insistent. Children were allowed to believe in anything, she would say. Only I could decide which path I wanted my life to take; I needed to be exposed to everything to make that decision.” Spock took the book from her hands without touching her. He put it back on the shelf. “Having it close reminds me of that. We do not want our tea to cool.”
“The music?” Uhura asked, following him to the table. She picked up the glass and sipped the dark greenish liquid. Spock looked at her intently; when he did that it was hard to meet his gaze. Instead she closed her eyes and let the tea tickle her taste buds before sliding down her throat. It created the strangest sensation…initially bitter, it burst into sweetness. When swallowed it sent waves of warmth through her whole body.
“Is it suitable to your tastes?” he asked, drinking from his glass.
“It’s wonderful. I feel it in my stomach, like butterflies. Is that typical?”
“I do not feel these butterflies, as you call them. You are the first human I've ever shared this with. It must be a reaction to your physiological makeup and the Vulcan plants. I do not think it will harm you.”
“Butterflies are a lovely feeling Spock, not a dangerous one.” She drank more.
Spock wished he could feel it as well. He knew the look on her face, it was euphoria. While his facial expression changed little he felt it too. He felt on the inside something which Uhura had no problem outwardly displaying.
“Computer,” he said. “Play A Gentle Rain.”
The music started, a lovely piano solo, and then the unmistakable voice filled the room.
We both are lost
And alone in the world
Walk with me
In the gentle rain
Don’t be afraid, I've a hand
For your hand and I
Will be your love for a while
“Do you dance, Spock?” she asked.
“When I was a small child, my mother would sway with me. It is one way for human parents to bond with their offspring.”
“It is a way that many humans bond.” She gently took his hand, the butterflies returning to her stomach. “Will you dance with me?”
“I do not think I would be an appropriate partner for such an endeavor.” He replied.
“I think you are wrong.” When she pulled him toward the center of the room, Spock did not resist.
To Uhura’s surprise he knew where to put his hands, though the touch on her hips was light and tentative. She moved her arms around his neck as they swayed. When their cheeks touched a low sigh barely escaped Spock’s throat. She felt it more than she heard it. The moan was unmistakable as her index finger stroked down the nape of his neck. She did it once, then again, and again. Spock’s arms moved tighter around her waist.
“Nyota…” he could hardly breathe her name.
Her cheek moved away from his and their eyes locked. What she saw there, Uhura didn’t quite know but it was powerful. His lips pressed on hers, a slightly impulsive move, but it only surprised her for a moment. She relaxed in his arms, her mouth opening slightly. But Spock pulled away as quickly as he moved in and brought his forehead to relax against hers.
“Spock…” now she was speechless.
“Is that not what humans do?” he asked.
“Kiss?”
“Yes?”
“Sometimes.”
“The nape of the neck, when touched appropriately, is a very sensitive area on a Vulcan. It can cause some forms of arousal.”
“I'm sorry.” She whispered, not moving her fingers. Just how many forms of arousal did Vulcans have?
“It is only logical that I should give you the same sensation that you gave me.” He said.
“Kissing is not about reciprocity. Affection is not quid pro quo.”
“Then you did not find my kiss to be pleasing? I should be the one to apologize, as your touch certainly fulfilled a need in me.”
“I’m going to take that to mean good in Vulcan.” Uhura chuckled a bit, her smile lingering as their foreheads remained connected.
“Please do.” Spock replied.
“We have time to discover what fulfills both of our needs. If that is something you want to do.”
He didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to. His touch said what words never would; that was Nyota’s biggest discovery.
***