And Academy Month Begins

Someone slammed into Spock so hard it knocked him off his feet and to the ground just outside the biology building of Starfleet Academy.

“Oh crap. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m late!”

Spock, momentarily stunned, looked up at a wild-eyed sandy haired cadet with flushed skin staring down at him.

“Let me help you up.”

Spock shook himself. “There is no need, Cadet. I am capable of standing on my own. Since you are late, I suggest you continue to your class.”

“But-are you all right? Are you injured?”

“I am not. Go.”

After another second of hesitation, the cadet ran off.

Spock rose and quickly inspected his uniform, brushing off leaves and other debris. He was in time to see the cadet who knocked him down entering the classroom where Spock would be providing instruction that day.

Were Spock fully Human he would no doubt be somewhat amused by the coincidence. But because he favored his Vulcan side, he did not give amusement a chance to grow hold and instead made his way to the class.

The minute he stepped up to the podium and looked out over the cadets, Spock spoke, “I am Spock. I’ll be teaching this course for Professor Lawrence this semester.”

He ignored the few groans the Human cadets seemed unable to suppress. Spock understood. Natalie Lawrence was a popular instructor, but her difficult pregnancy had made it necessary to appoint a replacement.

He flicked his gaze out at the cadets sitting in their stadium-style classroom and immediately spotted the cadet who’d mowed him down scrunching down in his seat in an apparent attempt to go unnoticed. It was to no avail for that particular cadet was likely to stand out no matter how much he tried not to. He was very attractive with deep blue eyes. He was the sort of man who would ‘turn heads’ as his own mother would put it.

Spock had no intention of moving his head.

He cleared his throat and began his lecture.

Spock was not sure why he was surprised when shortly after he left the classroom that same cadet suddenly appeared, keeping pace with him as he walked.

“Hey, sorry about that. Professor.” The cadet glanced his way. “Commander. Sorry, Commander. It won’t happen again.”

“I should hope not.”

“Kirk.”

“I beg your pardon?”

The cadet smiled and for a moment, Spock felt dizzy.

“Kirk, James T. My name.”

“Ah. I believe I might have heard of you, Cadet Kirk.”

“Good things, I hope.”

“What I heard was neither positive nor negative. Neutral.’

“Oh. Well.” Kirk stopped abruptly.

And for some reason Spock found unfathomable, he too stopped.

“I don’t want to keep you from wherever your next destination is, I just wanted to apologize, find out if you were all right, and assure you it won’t be repeated.”

“I am unharmed,” Spock assured him. “But I do urge caution the next time you are rushing to a class. Not everyone will be as sturdy on their feet as I am.”

For some odd reason, Cadet Kirk smiled. It really was a very nice smile.

“Don’t worry about me,” Kirk replied.

“I am not, in fact, worried.”

Which drew out a hearty laugh from Kirk. And though Spock almost felt he should be affronted, like perhaps the cadet was having amusement at Spock’s expense, he found the laugh so appealing he could not be irritated.

Kirk thrust out his hand toward Spock and before Spock could rethink doing so, he took the offered hand to shake it.

And electric-like shocks crept from his palm and fingers where they touched Kirk all the way up his arm. And he felt an almost kick in his side where his heart lay. It was suddenly hard to maintain his composure and though he felt a tug on his hand by Kirk, who clearly wanted him to let go, Spock held fast.

“Are you all right, Commander?”

It seemed clear from the confusion on Cadet Kirk’s face he was completely unaware of what Spock had just discovered.

“Would you happen to be free for coffee or tea?” Spock asked.

“Uh. Now?”

“Preferably.”

Kirk nodded. “Okay. But I think I’m going to need that hand to lift my coffee cup.”

Spock released his hand then, reluctantly. Kirk smiled.

“After you,” Kirk said.

Spock began to walk and Kirk fell into place beside him. “I do not believe you will need to worry about being late for my course.”

“No? Why is that?”

“If I am correct, you will have to request a transfer.”