This one is most definitely an AU, read on!

“Is this seat taken?”

It took a moment for Jim to realize that whoever asked that question must be speaking to him, because he felt someone hovering nearby. He looked up from concentrating on his PADD. And looked up again. The speaker was tall, thin, and Vulcan.

“What?”

“Is the seat next to you currently occupied?” the Vulcan spoke slowly, as though Jim were an idiot. Perhaps he was as he still just stared.

When the Vulcan continued to stare back, Jim finally replied, “No.”

With a slight nod, the Vulcan sat in the seat next to Jim at the table in the cafeteria. He’d brought with him what smelled like spiced tea and a plate that looked like it contained a raisin scone.

Jim allowed his gaze to wander around the cafeteria and noted that were several available tables that were entirely unoccupied. That the Vulcan chose to sit at his table was a puzzle. With a shrug, Jim went back to his PADD and absently took a sip of his coffee.

“Are you a first-year cadet?”

Jim found it to be an interesting question considering he was not wearing any kind of cadet’s uniform, but rather a t-shirt and jeans. Still he supposed considering he was in Starfleet Academy’s cafeteria the question made some sort of sense.

Jim did not recognize the Vulcan, which meant he did not attend the VSA on Vulcan. At least not currently anyway. He might be a past student. Judging by the Vulcan’s current attire, he was likely teaching courses at Starfleet Academy.

He thought about his knowledge related to a Vulcan who had enlisted in Starfleet.

Jim asked carefully, “Spock?”

“That is correct,” the Vulcan replied, unable to completely cover his surprise. Yes, this was the half-Human Vulcan. “You did not answer my question.”

Jim smiled. “I am not a first-year cadet, no.”

“How is it you are aware of my identity, mister…?”

“Kirk. James Kirk. I have heard of you,” he admitted. “Based on what I have heard, I figured you were Spock.”

“I see. You definitely have an advantage over me. What year of the Academy are you in, if I may ask.”

“You can ask.” Jim chuckled at the blank look on Spock’s face. Yep, he was well familiar with that look. “I am not a cadet at all, Spock.”

“Surely not a parent of a student.”

He outright laughed. “Nah. A little young for that. I’m teaching here this semester. Battle Tactics.”

Spok minutely frowned. Jim could tell he was trying to determine how best to politely ask Jim for his qualifications.

“Normally I teach on Vulcan,” he added, watching for Spock’s reaction.

“The planet Vulcan?’

“Do you know another?” Jim smiled.

“Where—”

“The Vulcan Science Academy.”

“You teach at the Vulcan Science Academy?”

“Yep. Have for the past, er, two years. I was asked to teach Battle Tactics here, so I’ve taken a temporary leave from VSA. Feel free to check me out.”

Spock blinked, fired up his own PADD and a moment later said, “You are a quarter Vulcan.”

“I am, yes. Mom’s side. She was half Vulcan. Her mother. I suspect my students find me a bit too Human, but they seem to like me anyway.”

“Your grandmother.”

Jim nodded. “Yep. You probably have heard of her. She’s fairly famous. She assures me that her relationship with my Human grandfather was brief and a mistake, but she tolerates Mom and me anyway. And my brother.”

“Who is your grandmother?”

Jim watched Spock again for his reaction. “T’Pau.”

“T’Pau?” Spock sounded outraged.

“Sort of blows your mind, huh?”

“I…there is no proof that any of that is true.”

Jim glanced down at his PADD, pressed a few buttons, and then handed that PADD to Spock, who studied it with a noticeable muscle twitch next to his eyebrows.

Jim leaned back. “But now that you mention it, I have been thinking of switching sides.”

Spock looked up, handed the PADD back to Jim. “Switching sides?”

“Joining Starfleet. They have a really cute Vulcan officer.”

Spock actually blushed.

Jim grinned. “Anyway, I’ve been wondering, Spock, why you wanted to sit here when there are plenty of tables available.”

Spock’s blush deepened. “I thought it was obvious. Given my interest, I can only assume that I somehow recognized your Vulcan heritage, which prompted me, logically, to attempt contact.”

Jim laughed. “Logically. Yes. I guess so.”

“What else would it be?”

“My cute ass.”

Spock cleared his throat. “Perhaps that too.”

PS. I kinda love the idea of this universe and think Jim/T’Pau interaction with her as his granny would be epic, but that’s me, LOL