"Maybe we should move it to the bedroom?"

Spock scowls internally. He knew there was no logic in purchasing the Pretty Princess Cat Throne. Kelele has only used it once, and that was due to Nyota gently placing the kitten on the overly frilly divan while it had been deeply asleep. When they awoke Kelele was perched between Nyota's ankles, purring loudly.

Unacceptable.

He does not understand how such a small animal can cause so many persistent problems. He tries another tact, actually addressing his concerns to the animal herself. "This is what you are to sleep in, Kelele," Spock says as he points to the Cat Throne. "Nyota claims she has purchased it because you will be most comfortable."

"Claims!" Nyota takes offense at Spock's verbiage from next to the object. "It has a mattress," she says, and pushes down on the bedding.

"Kelele seems unimpressed, the first logical sentiment expressed thus far," Spock grouses. The cat in question does not look as if she plans to utilize her specialty bedding.

"She could sleep in the bed with us," Nyota says slowly.

"Negative," Spock retorts. "The bed is for bipedal humanoids only."

"Spock, she doesn't like her bed. This is the fourth night we've found her in one of your shoes. She likes your scent."

"I find I do not care what that Kelele prefers. They are my shoes, "he says.

"Spock…"

"Kae'amp," Spock proclaims. Insanity.

"Spock."

There is nothing left to say so silence is only logical.

Nyota presses her thumb and forefinger against the bridge of her nose and sighs loudly. "It's like I have two cats," she mutters.

"I can hear you," Spock reminds her. Nyota glares up at him.

"Nash-veh s'frei," she retorts. This one understands.

"I do not wish her upon my bed and that is final, Nyota," Spock says, and means it.

"But she has proven she will continue to cry and howl until she's in my arms or nearby. Perhaps I'll sleep out here with her," she says.

Spock narrows his eyes at Kelele, who is blissfully batting the ball of catnip as her tail whips back and forth. He breathes in through his nose and releases it through his mouth. "I do not wish to sleep without you," he admits.

Nyota's expression softens as she stands and presses close to Spock. This is agreeable to him so he pulls her closer and rests his head atop hers. Kelele is watching and he is further gratified. "I know these past few days have not been easy," she says.

"Four days, twelve hours and twenty-seven minutes," Spock gently corrects.

Nyota hums against his chest and lifts her face to press her forehead against Spock's. He can feel her love and appreciation as well as her admiration. It is pleasing to Nyota to find that Spock honors his word even when it is not easy.

Spock rubs his nose against hers and kisses her softly. "Perhaps if the Pretty Princess Cat Throne were placed close to the door it would satisfy Kelele's unnecessary desire to be close to you."

Nyota smiles and rises onto her toes to kiss Spock again. "Is it unnecessary to want to be close to me?" she murmurs against his lips.

Spock considers the precarious position he has talked himself into. "Only if you are not S'chn T'Gai Spock," he says, and gathers a laughing Nyota into his arms.

"We can't forget Kelele," she cries as she squirms out of his hold and back to the ground. Spock sourly watches her gather the vulgarly pink bedding and the cat; Nyota walks right past him, cooing to Kelele in Swahili.

This is temporary, Spock thinks.

It has become his daily mantra.

One week and two days into housing Kelele and the Pretty Princess Cat Throne disappears, never to be seen again. Kelele does not seem to mind, considering she has taken residence in Spock's bed. Spock maintains his bed should not include domesticated animals, but Kelele goes where she pleases.

It is no longer logical to fight it.

She sleeps above his head, her face in his hair. It does not matter if Spock is asleep or merely resting beside Nyota. Once Spock reclines for the evening Kelele jumps onto the bed and yowls at Spock as if he can understand her sounds. Then she pads up the bed and past his pillow, waiting.

"I am not bedding," Spock says.

Kelele merely flicks her tail.

"I will not alter my regimen to suit you," he says.

"Spock? Who are you talking…" Nyota snuggles closer and Spock hisses quietly at Kelele. He does not wish to disturb Nyota, who requires every rest period for actual sleep.

Spock eyes Kelele and eases down next to Nyota; she rolls over and presses her entire body against his in a pleasing manner. Spock settles in and counts to four. Kelele moves closer and pushes her tiny head into his hair and begins to purr loudly.

It may or may not be agreeable, Spock does not bother to quantify, even if it does seem his nightly meditation is more effective. It is hardly logical to ascribe that change to a cat.

So he does not.

The animal absconds with one of Spock's workout slippers and has hidden it somewhere within the apartment. "Kelele, this is the fourth time in so many days that you have abducted my right slipper." Spock lifts the couch by the arm and glares at the pristine floor beneath it.

No slipper.

Spock lowers the couch carefully and glances about the room. He has looked everywhere, both logical and illogical places about the apartment, to find his shoe. "Kelele, I would like to arrive at the Suus Mahna sparing session in a timely fashion."

Kelele looks unconcerned as she lays in a sunbeam.

"You are unhelpful and ungrateful. Nyota will find a permanent home for you and it will be as if you were never here," Spock says, and resigns himself to using his replacement pair on the bedroom closet shelf.

Spock lights his asenoi and watches the smoke begin to darken and curl before he unfurls his meditation mat and sits upon it. Today will be different. Today he will not be interrupted by the mewling usurper, Kelele. He adjusts his robes for comfort and assumes a relaxed pose before he closes his eyes.

"Mrrrrrrow."

Spock opens his eyes and glances at the door. The sensor is locked and the kitten will not gain access without medical override; considering its inability to vocalize standard the door will remain closed. Spock settles and –

"Mrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww."

Spock clenches his jaw and opens his eyes. Nyota is currently on campus and unable to pacify and distract the young animal. Perhaps…

"Kelele," he says, voice raised so the animal can hear him through the door, "I must meditate now. One of your many illogical toys should occupy your time until I am done. Please move away from the door and I must insist you abstain from further caterwauling. It does not provoke an emotional response within me as it does Nyota."

Thirty seconds pass and all is silent. Spock nods shortly and closes his eyes. He takes a deep inhale and –

There is scratching at the door and Spock's patience runs out. "Door, open," he barks, and immediately Kelele tumbles in, mid-howl. Once righted she pads over to Spock and digs her claws into his thigh to pull herself into his lap, warbling her distaste at being left alone without an active playmate. Spock glares down at her but Kelele does not seem to care.

Two weeks into her stay in Spock's house Kelele took to following Spock into his meditation room. At first it was easy to shut the small animal out of the room, even if she illogically attacked his ankles upon his exit. Eventually she began to howl and scratch at the door unless Nyota was about to hold her and play.

Most illogical, Spock thinks as he looks at the cat. "All you wish to do is sit on my lap? What purpose does that serve? Your bed was costly for such a temporary appointment and you now refuse to use it, preferring my pillow and hair instead. Nyota does not seem to mind nor care but it is my hair…" Spock tilts his head as Kelele begins to knead his thigh through his meditation pants and purr loudly. It is a pleasing vibration and the tension in Spock's shoulders begins to dissipate.

He feels a profound calm settle against his mind and Spock inhales and draws deeper inside of himself, leaving the world behind. Hours later he returns, refreshed and relaxed. Kelele is still on his thigh breathing fast and light; deeply asleep. Spock experiences something that could be misquoted as fondness as he stares down at the small form.

The door to the meditation room opens with a hiss of air and Nyota looks surprised. "Am I disturbing you?" she whispers.

"No," Spock says. "That particular honor would go to Kelele."

"Oh, Spock. I am so sorry. Kelele, kelele nzuri, come on out. Oh, she's sleeping!" Nyota scoops the kitten up carefully and presses it to her face. "She is just so adorable."

Spock rises to his feet. "Adorable is subjective," he says.

"Well you're adorable," Nyota says as she leans up to give Spock a quick kiss before she moves away, cradling Kelele, murmuring endearments in a mix of standard and Swahili.

Spock does not wish to be on the same level as the cat.

"It has been three weeks and four days."

Nyota looks up from the recipe on her padd and blinks. "Three weeks and four days since what? Can you pass me the thyme?"

Spock opens the cabinet beside his head and produces the requested spice. "It has been three weeks and four days since we have taken temporary custody of Kelele," he says.

Nyota nods absently and takes an experimental sniff of the marinade. "I think it needs more lime," she says.

Spock reaches into the refrigeration unit and grabs a lime and a scotch bonnet pepper. Nyota's eyebrow rises but she says nothing as she accepts both ingredients. "You do not seem surprised at the length of time we have had her."

"It may take a while or Kelele may not belong to anyone, she may have been abandoned," Nyota says as she rolls the lime against the counter. She slices it and uses the hand press juicer to add the liquid to the spices in the baking pan. "There is no clear cut time frame."

"I feel as if that eventuality had not been completely explained when I agreed to house the cat temporarily," Spock says.

Nyota pauses and looks at him. "Do you wish for me to find different housing for Kelele?"

Spock does; the cat has become complacent with taking naps upon his person while he meditates. "What are your alternatives?"

"Currently only keeping her illegally in my dorm," Nyota admits.

"Why would you risk censure for this animal?"

She shrugs. "An act of compassion," she says as she goes back to cooking. "Besides, Gaila loves cats; she'd be overjoyed."

"I cannot logically put you in such a position. Kelele will remain here until another home is found but we must put a time frame on our wait period."

"Fair enough," Nyota says. "What do you suggest?"

"One month," Spock says.

"That was more than I expected," Nyota admitted. "One month. If no one steps forward then we'll either actively place her in a nice home or a shelter."

"Agreed." Spock looks down as Kelele threads herself between his ankles. He picks her up and frowns down at her as she climbs his chest and licks his chin.

Nyota cries out as if wounded as she opens the tub of tofu and begins to slice it. "So adorable," she coos.

Spock narrows his eyes at Kelele as she continues to climb until she's on his shoulder, purring loudly in his ear.

He still has no desire to be on the same level as the cat.

Your grasp of the material is inadequate for this course. The

"Mrrow."

Spock pauses and continues.

Cadet Uhura reports that you have not attended the tutoring sessions scheduled nor have you attempted to

"Mrrrrrrrrrow!"

"I have no time for you, Kelele," Spock says, and continues with his grading.

attend my office hours. Your behavior leaves no alternative but to conclude you have no intention of passing my class. You have been withdrawn and will need to

Spock hisses as tiny claws embed themselves in his ankle through his sock. Kelele is surprisingly strong for such a slight form. "I am busy; please disengage your claws from my person."

Kelele attempts to claw her way up Spock's pant leg. He pulls her from the fabric as gently as possible and deposits her on the desk. Kelele immediately moves and sits on the screen of his padd.

"I am attempting to grade assignments," Spock tells the cat. "Your current position is not conducive to the completion of my work."

Kelele merely gazes at him with her large blue eyes as she curls her tail around her body, thus obscuring the remaining visible screen.

Nyota is on campus for a xeno-linguistics meeting and save for a brief and unsatisfying moment when she was able to stop by his office hours, Spock has not had any prolonged contact of a meaningful nature with Nyota for two days, sixteen hours, two minutes, and seven seconds.

Eight seconds.

Spock is not counting, of course; the awareness of his precise internal chronometer is merely a birthright of his Vulcan heritage. That is all.

Kelele looks up at Spock and blinks.

"You have adequate food and water. I have maintained your play area despite your predilection to hide various toys in illogical locations about the apartment. You still have yet to return my right slipper. I must finish my work."

Kelele purrs and settles fully on his padd.

"I have seen you obey commands from Nyota in both Standard and Swahili; logically that follows you understand me. Remove yourself from my workspace and return to your… cat recliner. Against my wishes Nyota has purchased yet another piece of furniture that you refuse to utilize. Nyota has explained that it was the most comfortable model Pet Plaza offers without shipping in hopes of enticing you to lounge in a specific location. It has been moved in front of the window that receives the most sunlight. Your every need has been met."

Kelele purrs and swishes her tail back and forth as if she is interested in Spock's explanation.

"Nyota has explained that most cats do not expect to be walked using harnesses normally reserved for small dogs, despite what appears to be excessive anecdotal video evidence. I admit, I was unaware of how much personal media focused on cats going about what appears to be their daily, illogical attacks on Humans and their activities."

Kelele stretches and purrs.

"If I agree to spend a short amount of time engaging in feint attacks and holding the synthetic feather on a stick in front of you just to pull it away at last minutes will you allow me to continue with my work unfettered?"

Spock begins to wonder if Nyota's particularly pronounced illogic has begun to spread to him but Kelele seems to not only understand but agree with the terms. She moves to her feet and jumps into Spock's lap and begins to purr as she butts her head against his torso.

Spock sighs, since there is no one around to see him, and decides that even if he were to lock the cat in the bedroom he would feel badly because he did not keep his word. He wishes Nyota were here so at least he could foist the animal upon her without having to bargain. Kelele looks up at Spock and places her paws on his chest and proceeds to stretch quite thoroughly. He runs his hands down her back and is slightly pleased when she arches her back into his touch and allows her tail to curl around his hand.

"Your coat and coloring are aesthetically pleasing, after we were able to remove the dirt and grime," Spock says. Kelele gives him sandpapery licks against the inside of his wrist and his mouth twitches slightly. "I do believe I promised you a few minutes of frivolity involving a synthetic feather," he says as he cradles the kitten in one hand and crosses the room to 'Kelele's Area'.

Spock finds watching Kelele jump and move toward the synthetic feather oddly soothing; he is able to compute various mathematical equations that govern the coil of her muscles and the stretch of her tail as she ducks and moves. Perhaps, Spock considers, that it would not be such a terrible thing to have Kelele become a part of his household permanently. It has been years since he has experienced the companionship of an animal and cats are independent enough unless they want attention.

The irritation that builds while grading assignments fades to the background and Spock allows himself to join Kelele on the floor, cross-legged, so he may manipulate the synthetic feather toy at better and sharper angles.

Spock hears his front door open and a sniffle; immediately he is on his feet. "Nyota, what is the matter?" he asks as he checks her for injuries.

Nyota face is slightly ashen and her eyes are red. "I'm fine, Spock. Nothing is physically wrong." She curls into his touch and presses her face against his chest.

"Then ashayam, please tell me what ails you," he murmurs as he holds her close. Spock slides his hand up Nyota's back to the nape of her neck and through the skin to skin contact gets a general shape of her thoughts and emotions.

Ah.

Kelele has a home.

"When I checked my comm I saw the message. She's got a family who has been looking for her. They didn't think they'd get her back because they hadn't had a chance to get her a locator chip." Nyota sniffs. "A first year cadet recognized Kelele from the e-flyer and realized it was her niece's cat."

"I am sorry," Spock says, and finds the words to be truer than when they first began this journey.

"Yeah, me, too." Nyota sniffs again and wipes at her eyes. "I'm going to go drop her off in Mission Dolores Park."

"Would you like me to accompany you?" Spock offers as he releases her. Nyota shakes her head as she puts her bag down and reaches for Kelele.

"Well, Kelele it seems you've been missed. Kelele may not even be your name, but I couldn't imagine a better one for you," Nyota croons gently against the kitten's fur. Kelele purrs loudly and rubs her face across Nyota's cheeks and nose.

"Do you wish to dispose of Kelele's objects?" Spock thinks it is a waste but does not know what else to do with the items.

Nyota shakes her head. "No, I'm going to give them to the family. The Zhuo family," she amends. "Turns out Kelele was only a few days old when she went missing from the rest of her litter. Snuck out the door when someone left with one of her brothers or sisters. She must have gotten lost."

"It is fortuitous that we came across her," Spock admits. He does not like the idea of Kelele losing her life where they found her, undernourished and afraid.

"Agreed."

Although he felt as if Kelele's belongings were abundant Spock looks around; 'Kelele's Area' has been dismantled in less than two minutes and everything purchased is in two recyclable bags. They aren't very heavy but with a kitten… "Nyota, are you sure you do not wish me to accompany you?"

Nyota shakes her head and grabs both bags awkwardly in her hand so she can hold Kelele with the other. "I'll be back soon," she murmurs, and darts out the door.

Spock looks at his living room and sighs. It looks slightly off kilter now that Kelele's belongings have been removed. There is silence in his apartment once again and if he so chose Spock could return to his work without threat of interruption. He goes and sits at his desk but after twenty minutes of working he realizes he is waiting for Kelele to intrude.

He grabs his jacket and leaves instead.

It takes only ten minutes to get to Mission Dolores Park; it is large and Spock is not sure he will be able to locate Nyota in time but he hears Kelele caterwauling happily and off tune and he follows the sound. Entering the park and turning round the bend of the path, Spock catches a glimpse of a young Chinese couple and their wheelchair bound daughter.

Spock hangs back, suddenly unsure of stepping forward. The women thank Nyota profusely as Kelele winds round and round the young girl's shoulders and lap and touching her nose to the young girl's face.

Both the creature and the girl look happy, Spock concludes.

Nyota shakes both women's hands and crouches down to talk to the little girl briefly. Kelele accepts Nyota's scratch beneath her jaw and reclines in the girl's lap. Spock watches as the family departs with the bags of Kelele's things and Kelele herself.

His gaze returns to Nyota and he watches as she settles heavily onto a park bench and hunches over, obviously crying. Spock watches for two minutes and ten seconds before growing concerned; surely if Nyota feels so strongly to require a physiological emotional response she would rather do it in the privacy of his apartment?

Spock steps forward and in eight strides he is beside the bench. "Nyota?" he inquires.

Nyota jerks up and swears. "Spock, you surprised me," she said. "What… what are you doing here?" Her expression shifts to confusion and concern.

Spock sits next to her on the bench and takes her hand in both of his. "I considered after you left that I did not give a proper goodbye to Kelele," he says. "I wanted to do so. Then I contemplated making an offer so we may keep her."

Nyota's smile is watery. "Really?" she asks.

Spock nods once as he threads his fingers through hers. He can feel a shadow of happiness and resignation.

"We couldn't have kept her anyway. We're both really busy and she was interfering with your work," Nyota says as she leans her head against Spock's shoulder.

"I had developed a compromise."

Nyota tilts her head up at him and smiles. "I bet you did," she murmurs. "Unfortunately it wasn't just that. Kelele is a service cat; she's being trained to detect seizures. Their little girl, Meirong, has epilepsy and a spinal deformity. Kelele's mother currently alerts the Zhuo's when their daughter is having a seizure by howling. Turns out all that noise is inherited. They like the name and meaning so they're going to continue to call her Kelele. Isn't that nice of them?"

"Indeed," Spock says as he trails his hand down Nyota's arm. "She was not for us, k'diwa."

"No, she wasn't."

"May I ask you a question?" Spock asks.

"Of course, Spock."

"I watched you cry. Why did you not return to my apartment if you were in such emotional distress?"

Nyota toys with the hem of his jacket. "I didn't want to cry all over you, like I'm doing now," she says with a chuckle.

"Do you feel I think of you less when you're emotive?" Spock asks.

"Not really. I just know emotions can be overwhelming for you and I want to respect that. There is nothing you could do about Kelele so…" She shrugs her free shoulder and sighs loudly. "I figured you would deem my emotional response disproportionate to our time spent with a cat."

Spock contemplates exactly what words would best convey his thoughts on the matter; if Nyota were Vulcan he would not have to go through so much trouble. She would know how he felt about anything and everything immediately.

He looks forward to the day they are bonded, although he has yet to approach Nyota about said happenstance.

"Nyota, with my love also comes my respect. I understand that as a Human you have emotional needs that may feel incongruous to me. I also understand that your emotional responses are yours to have. I cannot invalidate them merely because I fail to understand them. I do not wish you to be anyone other than yourself, emotive or not. I seek to learn and love all facets of your person-hood. That includes your emotions."

Spock senses the happiness and love as Nyota presses her palm against Spock's before they both perform the ozh'esta.

"Thank you for being you, Spock," Nyota whispers.

"I would say you are welcome, but that would imply I could be someone other than myself," Spock says.

Nyota's lips thin as she suppresses a laugh. "Let's go home; the sun is about to set and it's going to be chilly," she says as she stand and reaches for Spock's hand.

Spock encloses her hand within his and considers how thoughtful and caring Nyota is, and that perhaps if his logic is true, Spock can one day have a family with this Human woman. Perhaps a son or daughter with Spock's ears and Nyota's smile and Amanda's eyes.

That future is exceedingly pleasurable to think upon.

But first, Spock considers as he follows Nyota to the mag-lev station, perhaps a cat.