Hi everyone! I've been a longtime lurker and fan…and now I'm coming out of the shadows and taking a stab at my own fic. I'm going to warn everyone upfront that I am not well versed on the Star Trek universe. I'm just a fan of the Spock/Uhura story arc and wanted to run with it.

Hope you guys like it!

*****

Two weeks.

That was all that stood between Cadet Nyota Uhura and her graduation—the start of what was sure to be an illustrious career in Starfleet.

She'd spent years being the hardest-working, the most studious, the most prompt, and the most dedicated. And in two shorts weeks—it was all going to pay off. But right now, at this moment—she had to settle for grading papers with her mentor in the Communications Lab. Not that it was a real sacrifice.

This was her favorite part of the week: sitting with and working alongside Commander Spock.

Their friendship had come as a surprise to Nyota. He had been the rigid, disciplined Vulcan that her classmates saw as icy, unreachable. And when her advisor placed her as his teaching assistant, she'd been weary. Now, she would not have traded any of the times they'd shared together—from the awkward silences at the beginning—to the comfortable silences at the end.

Truth be told, she was in love with him.

*****

Spock was an intuitive man. Not intuitive in the way of a hunch, but intuitive in the way of a Vulcan. That meant he knew exactly how fast his heart was beating, his internal temperature, even the time of day—all based on reading the signs of his body.

What really troubled him was that he could not understand his body—and mind—around his young teaching assistant. Sometimes, he would lose focus of his work watching her worry strands of her hair between her fingers while grading tests. He watched her in class: straight-laced—fingers on her PADD, always taking notes during lecture when others would be distracting each other with childish games. She always sat right in the front row, affording Spock a distracting view of her long legs. He'd once nearly meditated in class to try and erase his thoughts about the Cadet's legs.

Now, their time together was nearly over. No more late night grading sessions, no more post-lecture conversations. In just a few weeks, she would leave for an assignment on board a Starfleet ship, and he would assume the position of First Officer on the Enterprise.

*****

Nyota had taken the advice of her roommate and joined Gaila for happy hour. Which, as it turns out, was a terrible idea. Terrible because she'd slammed three Long Island Iced Teas before heading to her last grading session with Commander Spock. Terrible, because she was feeling no pain when she showed up at his door.

When he admitted her into his quarters, she put her bags down and tried to focus. But the heat of the alcohol coursed through her veins and she was too distracted. After grading a few papers, she gave up--setting her PADD down to broke the silence of their work.

"Commander, I'm just two weeks from Graduation."

He looked up at her from his PADD. "Yes, I am aware, Cadet. You will finish at the top of your class."

She could swear his eyes were smiling, deep set in his stoic face. "I have a personal favor to ask of you. I am requesting an assignment on the Enterprise after graduation. Would you be willing to write me a recommendation?"

Spock sat silent for one moment, and Nyota entertained the thought that he would refuse. But he started again. "Yes, Cadet. I believe you are one of the most accomplished students at the Academy. A recommendation to the Enterprise is most logical. I will contact Captain Pike."

Nyota's smile was wide. "Thank, you Commander."

That was it. They went back to working in silence. But the buzz Nyota had from her drinks was heating her cheeks…making her dizzy. It didn't help that Spock made her feel the same way.

She swept his form with a long, appreciative look. He was handsome--regal--in his Vulcan casual clothes. His appearance, as always, was impeccable. His hair trimmed, his skin flawless.

While he was working on his PADD, she marveled at the strong lines of his face.

She imagined running her fingers down the angles of his square jaw. She imagined leaning in close to breathe in his scent. And she was so caught up imagining that she didn't notice Spock when met her own hot gaze with his own.

She sat up, ramrod straight, and cleared her throat. "Alright, Commander. I've finished grading the last of his tests. I know you have lesson plans to finish, so I'll go now."

She paused. "And it been a pleasure working at your side." She grabbed her PADD, stuffed it into her bag and started towards the door. Spock rose to see her out.

Now they were standing at the doors, ready for goodbyes. The once comfortable silence hung between them, awkward.

And that's when Nyota decided to break the ice. Actually, it was the Long Island Iced Teas that did the talking.

She leaned into him and gingerly kissed his lips. He smelled like Academy-issued soap and incense.

She'd imagined this moment for so long, had fantasized about the fireworks that they would create together.

But there were no fireworks. There was no heated make out session. There was nothing.

Coming back to her senses, she pulled away, and opened her eyes. She saw the Commander, frozen in place.

She turned, embarrassed, and charged right out the door.

******