Decorations (Open )

[science_blues]

(OOC - Set sometime after the away mission in Christmas-wobble-time.)

It was, perhaps, inappropriate to afford a section of the ship's power to the replication of decorations. Spock, however, was quite convinced that the representative nature of the replicated flora more than forgave the indulgence. Despite being convinced of this, it did occur to

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[headnursechapel]

Christine hadn't been able to get her first meeting with Spock in the shuttlebay out of her mind. The away mission hadn't given any of them much time for socialization, and despite Spock's assurances to the contrary, Christine couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that she had somehow insulted or hurt Spock by her reaction to the Vulcan's gender. It wasn't that she thought any less of this Spock, Christine reasoned to herself. It had just been...unexpected.

Soon after the mission, she had the computer locate Spock's quarters, and went down to visit her.

[headnursechapel]

"Only once, briefly," Christine replied. "But she was very sweet." She smiled slightly. "It's clear that she loves her family very much."

She blushed again at the mention of unconditional trust, wondering briefly if her Spock subscribed to the same holiday tradition as this one. She would never have imagined that any Vulcan would ever participate in something as...sentimental as hanging mistletoe. But clearly she had been mistaken.

"That's a wonderful way to think of it," she told Spock sincerely. "After all, that's what Christmas is all about, isn't it? Universal love, and good will towards men?"

[science_blues]

"As far as I have been informed," Spock agreed. "Though I often suspect that my father utilized this particular tradition as means to engage my mother in physical intimacy without warning or possibility of rejection.

"Do you have any seasonal traditions you enjoy, Christine?" Spock prompted and took a sip of her beverage.

[headnursechapel]

Christine smiled at the picture Spock described. She took a sip of her own tea as she considered the question.

"I've always enjoyed baking Christmas cookies," she replied. "Though Mother was always a better baker than I." She smiled. "Mother would bake cookies every year, package them up and give them to everyone she knew - friends, family, the entire neighborhood, it seemed like. And she always let me help, even when I was little and probably more of a hindrance than anything else."

[science_blues]

"The exchanging of self-prepared baked goods is a fascinating traditional value," Spock commented. "It mirrors the general conceptual trend of the mistletoe tradition.

"I also enjoy cookies," Spock added conversationally. "Though, I am not skilled in the assembly of them."

[headnursechapel]

Christine smiled. "You'll have to join us in the galley one day, and try it," she told Spock. "It just takes practice, really."

The idea of a Spock, any Spock, enjoying cookies was...charming. "Do you have a favorite kind of cookie, Spock?"

[science_blues]

"I have only a few with which I am familiar," Spock admitted. "They were specific recipes, ones created by my paternal grandmother. I do not know them.

"To my knowledge, I am not objectionable to any variety of cookie," Spock continued. "I would appreciate an introduction to the varieties you are familiar with."

[headnursechapel]

Christine smiled. "Mother used to make all kinds of cookies," she answered. "Chocolate chip, of course. Peanut blossoms - peanut butter cookies with chocolate kisses on top. I think my favorite were Snickerdoodles."

[science_blues]

"I would be interested in sampling these," Spock stated truthfully. She would have to be sparing if Christine supplied chocolate of any variety.

"I was always informed, in my youth, that cookies were best experienced when very fresh," Spock continued conversationally. "Perhaps we should bake some of these Snickerdoodles and then devour them.

"As a recreational exercise," Spock clarified, after a brief pause.

[headnursechapel]

"Oh, yes - cookies are always best straight out of the oven - so warm and soft," Christine replied enthusiastically. "There's nothing else like them."

She smiled at Spock. "I would like that very much."

[science_blues]

"We shall have to plan for such an occasion," Spock confirmed and finished her tea. "I anticipate it to a considerable degree."

[headnursechapel]

"So do I," Christine assured her, smiling.

She sipped her tea in silence for a moment, before glancing back up at Spock. "Spock...the reason I came to talk to you today," she began, and hesitated. "Well, I wanted to apologize for my...behavior in the shuttlebay." She blushed as she met Spock's eyes. "I certainly hope you know that I don't think any less of you, just because you aren't the gender I was expecting."

[science_blues]

"I had not presumed you did," Spock admitted, a hint of confusion present in her otherwise monotone.

"But your apology is noted," Spock continued, "if unnecessary."

[headnursechapel]

Christine smiled shyly. "I'm glad," she said with sincerity. "I was afraid you might have been insulted, and not wanted to show it."

She reached across the table and took Spock's hand in hers, squeezing gently. "I know you do feel, even if you prefer not to act like it."

[science_blues]

Spock arched a brow but did not extricate her hand from Christine's. Though she had not intended anything by the action, it was...rather inappropriate.

"I was not insulted," Spock stated evenly. "You have no need for concern."

[headnursechapel]

Christine was a tactile person; her natural instinct was to use touch to make others feel at ease.

She had forgotten, for a moment, that sometimes those instincts were less than appropriate.

Spock's eyebrow lifted and Christine glanced down. "Oh!" she cried, and dropped Spock's hand as if it were burning her. Her cheeks flushed again as she clapped a hand to her mouth. "I'm sorry, Spock. I...didn't remember. Your hands..." She blushed more deeply, hands dropping to her lap. "I...didn't mean to be so forward." She attempted a smile, trying to hide her embarrassment.