A Beginning, Part I: Soaring
Title: A Beginning, Part I: Soaring
Author: laurak23
Characters/Pairing: Spock/Uhura, obviously :)
Rating/Warnings: G; perhaps a little angst
Word Count: 1477
Summary: Commander Spock wishes to speak with Cadet Uhura after class; set during Cadet Uhura's senior year at Star Fleet.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my fangirlish thoughts. I don't really know what Spock was teaching at the Academy, but let's just pretend he teaches a senior seminar on xenolinguistics, okay? ;) Also, this is the first time I've ever written any ST fanfic, so, uh...I hope it's decent. ^_^ I am definitely planning on writing a second, and perhaps a third part. Hope you enjoy it. ♥
“Cadet Uhura.”
My professor leaned down, his chest mere centimeters from my back, his chin near the top of my head. He was looking down at my PADD, surely taking mental notes of my transcriptions.
“Y-yes sir?” I replied, my voice shaky.
“Cadet Uhura, please see me after class is dismissed.”
“Yes, sir,” I answered, my mouth suddenly dry.
There were still twenty-seven minutes left before class was over. I adjusted my earpiece and took a deep breath. I had obviously made a glaring error; Commander Spock never asked cadets to stay after class unless something was terribly wrong.
I nervously rearranged myself in my chair and got back to work. I reviewed my most recent transcriptions. I had been working on Risian translations before Spock's arrival at my station. Everything was right, I just knew it! But if he had wanted to see me, I must have done something wrong...
I let my mind worry and wander for a moment. Eventually my eyes met Spock's. He was watching me. I tried to read his expression, but as always, I came up with nothing. His face was impossible to read. As was custom to his race, his face betrayed no hint of emotion.
Realizing I was staring, I looked down immediately and got back to work. Once I was thoroughly convinced that my Risian transcriptions were indeed correct, I moved on to the next assignment. Of course - it was Vulcan.
“Class,” Spock's voice rang out loud and clear through the silent lab at precisely noon. “You are now dismissed. Your completed translations and transcriptions will be submitted to me no later than nineteen-hundred tomorrow evening. The communications laboratory will be open until then should you need any assistance.”
Quiet chatter broke out among the students as they put their PADDs and styluses and earpieces and discussed plans for lunch. I packed up slowly, still worried about what I had done to warrant a meeting after class.
Another cadet, an obnoxious brown-noser named Elizabeth Palmer, was speaking to Spock. I couldn't quite make out what she was saying, but she was clearly disappointed when he curtly dismissed her. I couldn't quite hide a smile.
I approached Spock's podium slowly. I wasn't sure how to address him; thankfully, I didn't have to.
“Cadet Uhura,” he stated again in an even tone. “Are you...alright?”
I was first taken aback by his hesitation and then by his question - once it sunk in.
“Excuse me, sir?”
“Your posture and demeanor during class the past few days have suggested you are...” his head inclined every so slightly. “Uncomfortable.”
I didn't know what to say. I felt my mouth open slightly, but no words would come out.
“In addition, you are not registered for my xenolinguistics senior seminar next semester.”
I was silent, frozen in place.
“You are instead taking it with Captain Becker.”
I nodded numbly.
“He is a well-respected instructor, but I assure you, you will receive an equally exceptional educational experience in my seminar. You have been one of my top students during your time in this department. Logically, it would be my place to assist you with your studies through to your graduation.”
I tried to process what he was saying, but suddenly my grasp for languages was failing. I must have looked as confused as I felt.
“Your expression suggests you are unhappy with me. Have I said something to offend you, cadet?”
If I hadn't known better, I would have thought he looked concerned.
“No,” I finally managed to squeak out. “No, you haven't offended me, and I am not unhappy with you.”
“However your facial expression suggests otherwise.”
“I thought I was going to be...reprimanded, sir.”
“Reprimanded?” His eyebrows raised in surprise. “For what were you expecting to be reprimanded?”
“I-I don't know, sir.” I swallowed.
“As I said, you have been one of my best students; for example, you have exhibited an unparalleled ability to identify sonic anomalies in subspace transmission tests. I do not believe I have ever given any indications that you have performed in a sub-standard manner. Certainly nothing that would require reprimanding.”
I took a deep breath and looked directly at him for the first time since approaching the podium.
“Thank you, sir.” Something inside me began to soar. Never before had I heard Spock compliment someone in such a manner.
“No need to thank me, cadet, I am only telling you facts which you already know.”
That soaring feeling I had felt a few fleeting seconds earlier was gone immediately, and I felt embarrassed.
“Again you look displeased. I apologize; it was not my intention to upset you.”
Could there possibly be a trace of emotion there? Compassion, perhaps?
“You haven't upset me, Commander,” I said, trying to pull myself together. “I'm just surprised, that's all.”
“Surprised,” Spock said, as if he was trying to decipher the meaning.
“That you noticed whose seminar I was registered for next semester.”
“It is only logical that I keep up-to-date with the class schedules of my mentees.”
That soaring feeling was back as if it had never fled.
“You see me as a...mentee, sir?” I didn't mean to say it, especially not the way it came out. To my ears, I sounded like an over-eager child.
“Of course, Ms. Uhura.” He paused for a second of contemplation. “I understand that I may not always exhibit the most...endearing characteristics, but I do hope you understand that I see you as one of the brightest cadets I have seen in my experience with Star Fleet.”
“Thank you, sir.” I nodded and smiled, and felt my cheeks grow warm. I hoped my dark complexion would hide the flushing of my cheeks. “I'm...” I debated for a second on my word choice before settling with the honest truth. “I'm flattered, Commander.”
We were both silent for a moment. I couldn't say what was going on in his mind, but mine was reeling. He saw me as a mentee. That meant he saw himself as a mentor. A mentor was someone you could call on when you needed assistance, someone you could turn to when you needed guidance, someone that would be there for you when you needed them. I couldn't quite fathom it.
Suddenly another thought occurred to me.
“I look uncomfortable?” Again the words rushed out of my mouth before I knew what I was doing.
“Your recent demeanor during your laboratory time implies you are distracted, unhappy, uncomfortable,” he replied without skipping a beat.
I swallowed. I hadn't realized I had been exhibiting behaviors that would suggest I was unhappy. Truth be told, I was far from unhappy, especially in Spock's class.
Then I realized what was going on. I smiled and laughed a little, obviously confusing my Vulcan superior.
“Ms. Uhura?”
“I'm sorry Commander,” I said, composing myself. “It's just...” I wanted to tell him the truth again, but I couldn't. “I am not unhappy, sir. Yes, I admit I have been a bit distracted lately, but not unhappy. Definitely not unhappy.”
He nodded slightly.
“I trust that whatever is distracting you during your laboratory time will not interfere with the quality of your work.”
It wasn't a question; he was simply stating a fact. He knew as well as I that my grades had been as good as they always had been; the top of his class.
Again we were silent, but I was still soaring.
“You are dismissed, cadet.” His voice words were the same as when he dismissed Palmer, but his voice was soft and gentle, most unlike his usual brusque tones.
I was still smiling as I nodded and turned to leave. Just before I reached the door his voice stopped me.
“Ms. Uhura?”
That was the third time he'd called me “Ms.” instead of his routine “Cadet.” I willed myself not to read anything into it, despite my most fervent desires.
“Ms. Uhura,” he continued as I faced him. “If you ever need guidance, you are always welcome to seek my counsel. As they say, my door is always open.”
My smile was even broader now, I knew, and my cheeks were burning, but I didn't care.
“Thank you, Commander,” I said. Our eyes met and the gaze lingered for a moment. I turned on my heel and walked to the door. As I heard it open with its familiar swoosh, I could feel the Commander's eyes on me.
Forget being on board a starship; at that moment I was soaring higher than I ever imagined possible.
Author: laurak23
Characters/Pairing: Spock/Uhura, obviously :)
Rating/Warnings: G; perhaps a little angst
Word Count: 1477
Summary: Commander Spock wishes to speak with Cadet Uhura after class; set during Cadet Uhura's senior year at Star Fleet.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my fangirlish thoughts. I don't really know what Spock was teaching at the Academy, but let's just pretend he teaches a senior seminar on xenolinguistics, okay? ;) Also, this is the first time I've ever written any ST fanfic, so, uh...I hope it's decent. ^_^ I am definitely planning on writing a second, and perhaps a third part. Hope you enjoy it. ♥
“Cadet Uhura.”
My professor leaned down, his chest mere centimeters from my back, his chin near the top of my head. He was looking down at my PADD, surely taking mental notes of my transcriptions.
“Y-yes sir?” I replied, my voice shaky.
“Cadet Uhura, please see me after class is dismissed.”
“Yes, sir,” I answered, my mouth suddenly dry.
There were still twenty-seven minutes left before class was over. I adjusted my earpiece and took a deep breath. I had obviously made a glaring error; Commander Spock never asked cadets to stay after class unless something was terribly wrong.
I nervously rearranged myself in my chair and got back to work. I reviewed my most recent transcriptions. I had been working on Risian translations before Spock's arrival at my station. Everything was right, I just knew it! But if he had wanted to see me, I must have done something wrong...
I let my mind worry and wander for a moment. Eventually my eyes met Spock's. He was watching me. I tried to read his expression, but as always, I came up with nothing. His face was impossible to read. As was custom to his race, his face betrayed no hint of emotion.
Realizing I was staring, I looked down immediately and got back to work. Once I was thoroughly convinced that my Risian transcriptions were indeed correct, I moved on to the next assignment. Of course - it was Vulcan.
“Class,” Spock's voice rang out loud and clear through the silent lab at precisely noon. “You are now dismissed. Your completed translations and transcriptions will be submitted to me no later than nineteen-hundred tomorrow evening. The communications laboratory will be open until then should you need any assistance.”
Quiet chatter broke out among the students as they put their PADDs and styluses and earpieces and discussed plans for lunch. I packed up slowly, still worried about what I had done to warrant a meeting after class.
Another cadet, an obnoxious brown-noser named Elizabeth Palmer, was speaking to Spock. I couldn't quite make out what she was saying, but she was clearly disappointed when he curtly dismissed her. I couldn't quite hide a smile.
I approached Spock's podium slowly. I wasn't sure how to address him; thankfully, I didn't have to.
“Cadet Uhura,” he stated again in an even tone. “Are you...alright?”
I was first taken aback by his hesitation and then by his question - once it sunk in.
“Excuse me, sir?”
“Your posture and demeanor during class the past few days have suggested you are...” his head inclined every so slightly. “Uncomfortable.”
I didn't know what to say. I felt my mouth open slightly, but no words would come out.
“In addition, you are not registered for my xenolinguistics senior seminar next semester.”
I was silent, frozen in place.
“You are instead taking it with Captain Becker.”
I nodded numbly.
“He is a well-respected instructor, but I assure you, you will receive an equally exceptional educational experience in my seminar. You have been one of my top students during your time in this department. Logically, it would be my place to assist you with your studies through to your graduation.”
I tried to process what he was saying, but suddenly my grasp for languages was failing. I must have looked as confused as I felt.
“Your expression suggests you are unhappy with me. Have I said something to offend you, cadet?”
If I hadn't known better, I would have thought he looked concerned.
“No,” I finally managed to squeak out. “No, you haven't offended me, and I am not unhappy with you.”
“However your facial expression suggests otherwise.”
“I thought I was going to be...reprimanded, sir.”
“Reprimanded?” His eyebrows raised in surprise. “For what were you expecting to be reprimanded?”
“I-I don't know, sir.” I swallowed.
“As I said, you have been one of my best students; for example, you have exhibited an unparalleled ability to identify sonic anomalies in subspace transmission tests. I do not believe I have ever given any indications that you have performed in a sub-standard manner. Certainly nothing that would require reprimanding.”
I took a deep breath and looked directly at him for the first time since approaching the podium.
“Thank you, sir.” Something inside me began to soar. Never before had I heard Spock compliment someone in such a manner.
“No need to thank me, cadet, I am only telling you facts which you already know.”
That soaring feeling I had felt a few fleeting seconds earlier was gone immediately, and I felt embarrassed.
“Again you look displeased. I apologize; it was not my intention to upset you.”
Could there possibly be a trace of emotion there? Compassion, perhaps?
“You haven't upset me, Commander,” I said, trying to pull myself together. “I'm just surprised, that's all.”
“Surprised,” Spock said, as if he was trying to decipher the meaning.
“That you noticed whose seminar I was registered for next semester.”
“It is only logical that I keep up-to-date with the class schedules of my mentees.”
That soaring feeling was back as if it had never fled.
“You see me as a...mentee, sir?” I didn't mean to say it, especially not the way it came out. To my ears, I sounded like an over-eager child.
“Of course, Ms. Uhura.” He paused for a second of contemplation. “I understand that I may not always exhibit the most...endearing characteristics, but I do hope you understand that I see you as one of the brightest cadets I have seen in my experience with Star Fleet.”
“Thank you, sir.” I nodded and smiled, and felt my cheeks grow warm. I hoped my dark complexion would hide the flushing of my cheeks. “I'm...” I debated for a second on my word choice before settling with the honest truth. “I'm flattered, Commander.”
We were both silent for a moment. I couldn't say what was going on in his mind, but mine was reeling. He saw me as a mentee. That meant he saw himself as a mentor. A mentor was someone you could call on when you needed assistance, someone you could turn to when you needed guidance, someone that would be there for you when you needed them. I couldn't quite fathom it.
Suddenly another thought occurred to me.
“I look uncomfortable?” Again the words rushed out of my mouth before I knew what I was doing.
“Your recent demeanor during your laboratory time implies you are distracted, unhappy, uncomfortable,” he replied without skipping a beat.
I swallowed. I hadn't realized I had been exhibiting behaviors that would suggest I was unhappy. Truth be told, I was far from unhappy, especially in Spock's class.
Then I realized what was going on. I smiled and laughed a little, obviously confusing my Vulcan superior.
“Ms. Uhura?”
“I'm sorry Commander,” I said, composing myself. “It's just...” I wanted to tell him the truth again, but I couldn't. “I am not unhappy, sir. Yes, I admit I have been a bit distracted lately, but not unhappy. Definitely not unhappy.”
He nodded slightly.
“I trust that whatever is distracting you during your laboratory time will not interfere with the quality of your work.”
It wasn't a question; he was simply stating a fact. He knew as well as I that my grades had been as good as they always had been; the top of his class.
Again we were silent, but I was still soaring.
“You are dismissed, cadet.” His voice words were the same as when he dismissed Palmer, but his voice was soft and gentle, most unlike his usual brusque tones.
I was still smiling as I nodded and turned to leave. Just before I reached the door his voice stopped me.
“Ms. Uhura?”
That was the third time he'd called me “Ms.” instead of his routine “Cadet.” I willed myself not to read anything into it, despite my most fervent desires.
“Ms. Uhura,” he continued as I faced him. “If you ever need guidance, you are always welcome to seek my counsel. As they say, my door is always open.”
My smile was even broader now, I knew, and my cheeks were burning, but I didn't care.
“Thank you, Commander,” I said. Our eyes met and the gaze lingered for a moment. I turned on my heel and walked to the door. As I heard it open with its familiar swoosh, I could feel the Commander's eyes on me.
Forget being on board a starship; at that moment I was soaring higher than I ever imagined possible.