Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek, in any shape or form.

I looked up at the imposing facade of the Vulcan Consulate and sighed in frustration. This wasn't how things were supposed to turn out. This wasn't how I was supposed to be spending the next year. Why was it when I got a free spot in a cultural exchange program, suddenly the rug was ripped out from under me and I'm instead looking at a full year with the grumpiest Vulcan imaginable as my roommate?

To be fair, we wouldn't be sharing a bed or anything. Dad said we would simply be sharing a living room and a kitchen, and our bathrooms and bedrooms would be blessedly private. Not that Vulcans were notorious for their social skills, but I had hoped that when seen in their natural habitat, the stoic aliens my father dealt with on a daily basis might be a bit more friendly. They couldn't all be as unpleasant as Ambassador Soval.

I had received the summons a week ago; the government wanted me on a shuttle to the 40 Eridani-A star system by Saturday night at the latest, but then, three days later, I had received another notice canceling my shuttle ride and instead directing me to the Consulate in Sausalito. And to my knowledge, I was the only person in this program who had been chosen to stay on Earth. I wasn't even sure why I had been re-directed, and Dad was mum about it all. His face had contorted in confusion when I got the first notice, though I thought he'd be more happy for me. It wasn't every day a girl got to get off the planet.

By a mere technicality, I was stepping off of Earth soil into an acre of Vulcan territory, tucked into the outskirts of the city near San Francisco Bay. And I would be sharing that exquisite view of the ocean with one of the most mocked and hated Vulcans to ever set foot on this world.

Although this change confused me, it was a lot more convenient to stay on Earth and finish my Master's here in person, instead of online or through a Vulcan university. I had signed up for classes in the West Kir Institution of Communication, however, now I was free to complete my degree back at good old Berkeley. The scramble made me late to the game, but someone (I didn't know who; my adviser didn't even know) had twisted some arms and gotten me into every class I needed. Two more semesters and I would be done with college, off to face the real world.

My new roommate was standing just outside the front gate, his hands folded formally in front of him. He always had an austere, imposing look on his face when he appeared on camera, and he seemed even more austere today, stiff and cold, like the chilly breeze whispering through the trees that lined the avenue.

"Genevieve Forrest," he said in greeting. He looked me up and down with his cold, dark eyes, then reached for the suitcase I was dragging behind me.

"I thought my dad was going to meet us here." Dad had promised me he would help me move in, but apparently he was late, or something had come up at work. My guess was the latter.

"I told him not to come," the ambassador explained. "You only have two bags. He is otherwise occupied, and since my afternoon is free, I thought I would assist you in moving into your new home."

"Ok," I said slowly. I was too tired to argue with him, and he didn't look like he was the sort of man who would tolerate argument of any kind. "Is my dad still coming for dinner?"

"I am uncertain. That depends on how quickly his meeting at Starfleet Command is completed."

He then held out his hand for my backpack, but I shook my head. "I can carry it, ambassador."

Soval flared his nostrils, and I thought I saw his jaw clench, but he turned swiftly on his heel without another word, and strode into the Consulate courtyard. As it was rather cold outside, and looked like rain, no Vulcans were outside enjoying the weather. The halls too were silent, as if we had arrived in an abandoned building, and nothing was said between us as we stepped into the turbolift.

"I trust your journey to the Consulate was uneventful," he said stiffly. I nodded.

"Yeah, traffic wasn't too bad. The cab ride was quiet."

"I am...gratified you made it safely."

"Thank you," I murmured. "I'm glad I made it safely too."

He nodded stiffly and set his gaze forward, and I looked down and fiddled with some ribbon tied to the handle of my luggage. I was spared having to further the conversation when the doors opened, revealing a quiet hallway lined with intricate tapestries, and our joint quarters were down the hall to the right. Windows were sparse, meticulously placed to offer the finest views; I was sure I was seeing the work of a Vulcan perfectionist. Skyline dominated every window except for one at the other end of the hall from our quarters. That one looked towards the sea.

Our quarters were spacious, almost grandiose, with high ceilings, soft carpets, smooth expanses of purple walls and a better view of the sea than in the corridor. I noted he had placed curtains on every window, and it was only when I drew them back that I saw more of the ocean view.

"Why aren't these open? No one can see you up here."

He sighed. "Ocean vistas make me...make most Vulcans...nauseous."

"Ah," I said, letting the curtain fall back in place. "But you don't mind if I leave my curtains open? I usually change in the bathroom anyway."

He raised an eyebrow, and I wondered briefly if that was too much information. I blushed and looked back at the curtains, admiring the pattern, something akin to Celtic knots.

"It is your room," he replied quietly. "You may do what you wish with it...within reason."

"Of course, ambassador." I was eager to drop this conversation, lest the cantankerous old Vulcan in front of me start thinking about me changing my clothes. I didn't think he would truly appreciate that mental picture, and the thought of him thinking that made me rather uncomfortable.

He flared his nostrils and strode across the lush carpet in ten easy strides, but I wasn't sure if he was retreating to his room or showing me mine.

"Are you coming, Ms. Forrest?"

"Yeah," I said quickly, tearing myself out of my reverie. He was obviously showing me where I would be staying, and it wouldn't do to piss him off on my first day here. Goodness knew he was unpleasant enough without me getting in his way.

"This is your room," he said quietly as I passed him. His voice reverberated in my ear, and I could almost feel his breath in my hair. "The washroom through there." He gestured to a door on the left wall of the room to elucidate.

"Thank you," I said, offering him a wan smile, and he glared at me, handing me my bag.

"The rest of your things will arrive tomorrow. If you need anything, ask, and it will be provided for you."

"I'm fine." I was too busy looking around at the walls and staring at my ocean view to think too hard about the information he had given, besides, what I didn't have, I could go get in town. My motorcycle would be arriving from the shop tomorrow along with more of my things, and when it came to personal effects, I wasn't about to ask this old Vulcan for a handout.

The ambassador raised an eyebrow as I finally glanced back at him. "Very well. Then I will leave you be."

"Is my dad coming for dinner?" I asked the question just as he was closing the door, and he didn't meet my eye when he answered.

"I do not know, but I would presume not. He is likely still in his meetings."

"All right," I conceded, dropping the subject.

"I'll leave you to familiarize yourself with your room."

I didn't realize that sentence would be the last the ambassador would say to me until after dinner. He did not ask me any questions, nor attempt to make conversation. He was quiet, absorbed in his meal, and his presence felt like ice on my skin, his cold gaze never meeting mine. I wondered blandly if the ambassador thought his dinner was really that much more interesting than his new human roommate.

Though the old Vulcan didn't talk to me, I did feel as if he were watching me when I wasn't looking, which made strange, uncomfortable tingles run up and down my spine. I ate slower than I usually would (even though every instinct was screaming at me to eat faster so I could get away from the table and my somber dinner companion), and I took extra effort to make my bites small and dainty. My suspicions were confirmed when I stood and leaned over the table for the water pitcher, as it wasn't too far out of reach, and once I refilled my glass, I sat down and glanced up at him.

Our eyes locked, his pupils dark and deep, and I swallowed thickly and hastily took a sip of my water to distract myself. He took more time than I thought he would to look away, and I wondered morbidly if I had accidentally given him a good glance down my shirt. Damn it.

We sat in complete silence as he took a few more bites, and I noted a green flush over the tips of his ears. He hastily put down his fork as he noticed my staring, and he abruptly left the table without another word.

"Hey!" I called at his retreating back. "Are you ok? Did I do something to offend you?"

He barely turned to me and shook his head. "No," he muttered, turning away again.

"Ok...good to know...I'll clean up, then."

"Leave it," he said swiftly, his voice low and gravelly, almost a growl. "I will attend to it later."

And with a swish of his heavy robes, he left me alone in the dining area, the door to his room closing with a smart click. I sighed and leaned back in my chair, staring at his food (with what I was sure was a dumbfounded expression). So I get my own water, and perhaps accidentally flash him, and suddenly he can't stand to be in my presence?

I sighed and scraped the rest of the vegetarian casserole he had made (which I had to admit was rather delicious) into its original container, and I set the dishes in the sink. I was about to do the dishes myself, but I couldn't figure out how to keep the water running long enough to wash anything. I gave up, leaving that mess to the ambassador, and since it was probably best to learn about the facilities in my bathroom now instead of waiting until I was naked and half-awake, I retreated to my room and closed the door behind me.

For the next hour and a half, I taught myself how to use the bathroom facilities. The shower was the hardest to understand, and I still didn't really understand how to work it after an hour of staring at it, but I did not allow myself to succumb to temptation; after Soval's rude exit, I wasn't about to ask him for help.

The sink, unsurprisingly, was motion-activated and spurted only enough water to wash one's hands. The same technology existed in the kitchen sink, and maybe when I was here alone I could figure out how to wash dishes in that thing. As it was, I thought I had a good handle on it and the toilet and felt confident enough to go to bed with no worries. The only problem I was facing now was the temperature, which was far too hot for my tastes. I felt like I was in a warm kitchen, and the cool covers did little to soothe me.

With a sigh, I slipped out of bed and padded into the kitchen area, which was empty. My host was lounging on the couch, reading a PADD; the dishes and the remains of our meal were cleaned up.

"I'm going to bed, ambassador, if it's all right with you."

He glanced up at me, blinking in apparent surprise, but I offered him a kind smile. It was best to at least try to be friendly, so he might start reciprocating soon. "Sleep well. I'll see you in the morning," I continued.

"Good night, Ms. Forrest."

I nodded and shut my door, and I flopped down onto the bed and willed my exhausted and overheated body into slumber.

…

It was 0300 when I woke again, forcing my heavy eyelids to open. My immediate instinct was to shove off my pajama bottoms, which made my legs feel like they were roasting. I followed that instinct and lay there, panting in just my underwear and cut-off t-shirt, and my mind focused on the tiny rivulets of sweat pooling at the hemline of my panties and in the crevices of my stomach.

I tossed and turned for what felt like an hour, though my clock told me it was only 0320. I sighed in frustration and threw the covers off my sweating body.

Water, my exhausted brain supplied. Get a glass of water.

I had put almost all of my household items into storage when I had received the notice to come to the Consulate, so I didn't have any glasses. But I did know where to get one. The ambassador was probably asleep in his room and wouldn't wake for a few hours at least, so it wasn't as if he was going to see me in nothing but my underwear and a shirt.

I padded quietly out of my room, grateful that the lush carpet kept my footsteps muffled, and I slowly opened the cabinet doors in search of glasses. The room was dead silent except for the sound of soft breathing to my left, which I assumed came from the ambassador's room.

The motion-activated faucet filled my glass only a third of the way, and I waved my hand under it again to make it give up more liquid. Two-thirds was enough for now, and I gulped it down, letting the rivulets dribble down my chin. The coolness felt good on my neck and collarbone, and I shivered in delight as I felt myself begin to cool a bit. Another glass, and I was full, so I turned my attention towards wetting my skin.

A heavy, smoky scent made my nose wrinkle, and I paused, wondering what electrical appliance Soval might have left on for that burning smell to linger. Nothing was left on the counter but a basket of Vulcan vegetables, so I glanced around for a lamp or a sparking socket. I listened intently and only heard that soft breathing and my own heartbeat, nothing sizzling or sparking. I crouched down to look at a different eye level and still found nothing, and as I contemplated finding the lightswitch, I noticed something move in the dark.

My heart jumped into my throat, and I breathed in sharply in surprise. My tongue was now stinging in pain, and I bit back tears as I peered through the darkness.

The figure moved again, and in the pale light coming in from the distant streetlamps, I noted a plume of smoke rising from where the shadow sat on the ground, and glowing embers contained in some sort of bowl or lamp. Was this some quiet assassin sent to start a fire, and kill Soval? I gripped my water glass like a projectile, ready to throw the thing if necessary. I prepared myself to scream, and hopefully Soval had some sort of weapon lying around, or fighting skills of some sort to defend me.

I gathered my nerve. "Who are you?" I demanded.

"You know who I am, Ms. Forrest," he said blandly, and I breathed out in relief as I realized it was none other than Ambassador Soval.

"Damn it, ambassador, don't do that to me!" I growled, setting the water glass aside. "I thought you were some crazy assassin or something..."

"I was meditating, until you disturbed me."

"Sorry about that, but I'm roasting. I needed some water."

"I see," he rumbled, standing. He slowly approached me, and though I couldn't see his face, I suddenly remembered what I was wearing and crossed my arms.

"Your night vision must be lacking if you did not see me sitting in plain sight." He set my water glass in the sink. "My vision, however, is not nearly insufficient as yours. Did you not think I would see you?"

I opened my mouth to reply, then shut it and lifted my chin. "I am very sorry for disturbing you, but I honestly thought you were asleep. It's 0300!"

"I have been meditating since you went to bed. I do not require as much rest as you humans."

"Well, that's good to know."

Several seconds of silence passed in the darkness, and as my eyes slowly adjusted to the distant lights, I could almost see his eyes narrowing.

"Would you care to explain why you are dressed so provocatively?"

I looked down at myself and felt my face flush with heat. "Oh...um...like I said, I thought you would be asleep, and it wasn't as if you were going to see me like this...in my head...I'm tired and hot and not at my best right now, ambassador. Could you please just...nevermind."

He shook his head and backed away. "Perhaps it would be best if we both returned to our rooms. In the morning, I will see about installing a cooler unit in your room."

"Thank you," I whispered, and he practically fled the scene. I watched him go, blushing madly, but I closed my eyes and breathed in and out, slowing my heart rate. My mind was too tired to worry about his reaction, or how our relationship had gotten off to such an awkward start, and I splashed water on my arms, legs, neck, chest and stomach. Time to call it a night (technically morning) and salvage what little darkness I could. Tomorrow was not going to be a good day.