Author's note : I think this must be the prequel to 'Indecision'

Decision

Spock

His office, StarFleet Academy Linguistics Building

Early January, 2258

Nyota was reading her messages. That was usually the last thing that she did before leaving his office for her next class. There would be a message there for her he knew - a message that would be very important for them. He was ... impatient to hear her response to it. His ears focused on her.

"Well, that's unexpected. Can't answer it now, have to think about what to say."

He was used to her soft mutterings as she worked. At first, it had been somewhat distracting, but she was always so quiet about it, meaning the utterances only for herself. He had become accustomed to it. But this was important and he needed to be sure she understood that.

"Is there something you need to discuss, Nyota?" Please let her discuss it with him and not just go off and make the decision on her own.

"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to disturb you. It was just this message I got." She was turning off the computer on her desk, straightening out the PADDs and other equipment laid out. She picked up a stack of student PADDs and set them on the corner of his desk. "Here's the grading I got done this morning."

She would be gone in a moment, he must ... push a little. "A message?" He left the question hanging in the air. "Something that disturbs you?"

"You are so perceptive! I don't know how you do that. Yes, a bit disturbing. I've just been offered the position of Academy Aide for Advanced Acoustical Engineering for this coming semester. I will have to work on the wording of my reply, I can't just say 'no thanks' and let it go at that." She was gathering up her belongings, ready to leave the office.

He stood, taking one step towards her, blocking her way out. He could not let her go without discussing this. He took a deep breath. "Perhaps ... Perhaps you should consider accepting the offer." There, it was out. She looked at him in shock. He saw the hurt in her eyes, quickly shielded. He must say something else, quickly. "I... I.... There are reasons.... Nyota, it is not that I do not wish you to continue to be my aide, but... I.... Perhaps there are reasons that this position would be better for you." He was having great difficulty in stating what needed to be said.

Her eyes had never left his, but the expression in them was changing. "Reasons?"

This was so difficult. He swallowed, trying to marshall his thoughts. He had tried to anticipate what she might say, to prepare responses. She was so intelligent, her mind like quicksilver, surely she would understand what he was trying to tell her. "I... If you would like to discuss the reasons ... Privately ... I.... I would like to explain."

Her eyes never leaving his, she nodded.

"1900 this evening .... In my quarters?" The tentative query hung in the air. She nodded again, still focused only on his eyes. His relief was so strong that he almost wavered from his erect position. She would listen. He would have a chance to explain.