Spock

He strode into the classroom, crossed to the AV console at the far side, inserted a data disk and pressed several keys. Turning, he moved to the exact center of the clear space at the front of the classroom and, hands clasped behind his back, turned to face the students. And came face-to-face with the most extraordinary pair of brown eyes that he had ever seen.

"Sorry I'm late, Commander, it won't happen again." The tall brown-skinned cadet with the long fall of dark hair seated herself in the chair at the center of the first row. Since most students did not care to sit there, he assumed that tomorrow would find her in the very back row; although since there were still seats available in the rear of the classroom, he was not sure why she had chosen to come clear to the front today.

"Punctuality is a trait you should cultivate, Cadet." He paused a moment, not sure what there was about this particular cadet that disturbed his balance. "The class syllabus has been downloaded to all students registered in this class. Reading assignments must be completed prior to each class in order to achieve comprehensive understanding of the course material. The prerequisites for this class are as follows... " As he named the courses that should have been completed prior to registration for this one, several students hastily collected their belongings and left the classroom.

"In addition, let me stress that each student in this class is expected to be proficient in both speaking and writing five Terran languages, including at least one with a non-Standard alphabet, and three off-planet languages." At this, several more students left the classroom. Surprisingly, the late cadet was not one of them. Normally, cadets who arrived late to class were the most ill-prepared.

Without moving from the spot in which he stood, he began to summarize the course. Why did his eyes keep straying to that one cadet? Deliberately, his eyes scanned over the classroom as he continued. Most of the students were taking notes, one was sleeping, and the cadet in the front row was sitting erect and staring straight at him. Why was she not taking notes?

He began to lose his train of thought. "Are there any questions about the course content?"

Several hands rose and he methodically called on students from left to right across the room. At some point before he got to her, that one cadet lowered her hand. After responding to all the other students, he focused his gaze on her. "I believe you indicated that you had a question, Cadet? Is there some reason you decided not to ask it?"

Sparkling eyes looked straight into his and her lips curved into a stunning smile. "I saw no reason to be redundant, Commander", she answered in very passable Vulcan. Impressive. Very few cadets arrived with any knowledge of Vulcan.

Nodding his head in acknowledgement of her good judgment, he addressed the class again. "Before the next class meeting I expect each of you to go to the language lab and make a 10 minute recording speaking each of the languages which are your qualification for this class. Dismissed" Groans echoed across the room as the cadets assembled their belongings and filed out.

"Excuse me, Commander" That cadet again.

"Yes, Cadet ..." He let his voice trail off.

"Uhura, Sir. Is that ten minutes altogether or ten minutes in each language?"

Not a single other student had thought to ask that. There was intelligence behind those intriguing eyes. "Since eight languages are required, a total of ten minutes would mean only 1.25 minutes of each language, which is hardly sufficient to assess your proficiency."

"That's what I thought, Sir, but I felt I ought to obtain confirmation." With that, she turned and walked down the aisle towards the back exit from the classroom. She had very long, slender, muscular legs. Why was he thinking about her legs?

Nyota

She headed across campus towards her Advanced Phonology class, stepping quickly between groups of students milling about. As she tried to get past one group of students, she heard herself addressed.

"Hey, Uhura! Wait up, gorgeous!" Oh, no, it was that aggravating womanizer Jim Kirk again. She continued towards the Linguistics building as fast as she could. Suddenly her arm was grabbed from behind and she felt herself swinging around. Stumbling to keep her balance, all her books and papers and her PADD went flying.

"What the crap!" Fury on her face, she glared at the handsome young cadet gripping her arm. "Are you TRYING to make me fall down!"

"Hey, sorry, let me help you pick stuff up." He scrambled about, grabbing books and papers from under passing feet. "You really need to get a bag to carry all this stuff around in. Why do you carry so much, anyway?"

"Because I like to be prepared, unlike SOME people I know!" Her eyes flashed as she gathered her possessions up. "And I have a bag, but apparently my roommate borrowed it to use for her weekend getaway. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

His face flushed a bit. "Sorry." A cocky grin replaced the brief remorse. "Gracie, I'll bet that's it!"

"Will you grow up! I'm going to be late for class! Leave me alone!" She stormed off down the walkway, trying to calm down. He would make her late for the one class she had with that Vulcan instructor - the one instructor who would have absolutely no tolerance for excuses.

She arrived at the back entrance to the classroom at the same time as the instructor arrived at the front entrance and quickly walked down the aisle towards the empty seat in the center of the front row, arriving there just as the instructor turned to address the class. "Sorry I'm late, Commander, it won't happen again." She quickly sat down. Gee, he was tall.

"Punctuality is a trait you should cultivate, Cadet." Inside she shriveled. Aw, crap, what a way to start out in a class where she had hoped to impress the instructor. Well, at least she had completed all the prerequisite courses with excellent marks. And she already knew more than three times the required number of languages. Since the syllabus was already downloaded to her PADD, there was no reason to take notes as the instructor continued to summarize what would be taught this semester. Besides, she had an excellent memory. His hair looks like black silk. Now WHY was she thinking about his hair? Back on target, Nyota.

At the call for questions, her hand shot up. But one of the other students asked the question on her mind and she lowered her hand. After answering all the other students, the instructor turned his gaze on her. Well here was her chance!

Quickly she went over the words she wanted in say. Yes, that must be right. She pronounced the Vulcan words carefully and precisely, trying not to put any inflection on the syllables. His eyebrow shot up. Was that surprise? What about that oft repeated statement that Vulcans had no emotion? And he had nodded briefly at her. What did that mean?

She listened as he gave the assignment, waiting for someone to question it. Instead everyone just filed out. But that assignment was VERY ambiguous. She confirmed her suspicion as to what was intended, picked up her belongings and headed out of the classroom. Those eyes were very dark and intent. When he talked to her he gave her his full attention. Those ears were certainly something. Wonder how sensitive they were. Geesh, Nyota, Focus!