A/N - This story is a part of the story arc in "The Tides of Vulcan", and takes place during Uhura's first Spring Break at Starfleet Academy. You don't have to read that story to understand this one.

Enjoy!

"Earth ~ Air ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Aether

All these exist in their own space, apart,

Trying ever to stay within their right realm."

- From "Translations of Vulcan Poetry" by Nyota Uhura

=/\=

The Fourth Element

"Sir, I fail to see the purpose of an exercise such as this."

"Spock, you'd be the perfect chaperon!"

"Perhaps," Spock tilted his head a fraction and regarded his friend and superior, "And yet precisely seventy-eight seconds ago you mentioned that I would also be able to "have fun" and "be myself" - are not the two roles mutually incompatible?"

"Not for you," Christopher Pike sighed, "And let's face it, son, there's no other way you'd ever participate with Spring Break."

"You are correct, Sir, as I did not do so as a cadet, there is no reason for me to begin the practice as an instructor."

"On the contrary, there is every reason. . . look. . ." Chris leaned forward, talking to his half-Vulcan protege in a kind and very human tone, "These kids need a chaperon, and it can't be me - I'm getting too old for three-day benders and cruising the beaches of Malibu. . ." he paused for a split second and half smirked, "Well, maybe not entirely too old, but you know I can't go out with these kids - I'd just make them uncomfortable and they wouldn't loosen up, and that would ruin the whole point of Spring Break."

"And it is your opinion that if I accompany them, I will not make them uncomfortable?"

Pike rubbed his eyes and prepared to give it up and just make his request an order, "Nearly every other instructor has plans for the week, Spock, and those who don't are ones I wouldn't trust anywhere near a group of my suddenly-off-the-leash, cream-of-the-crop cadets. You, I trust, and you're young enough and human enough and Vulcan enough to survive a trip to the beach with fifteen freshmen on their first break in months. Understand now?"

"Inevitably, sir."

If Pike hadn't already known better, he would have said that the younger man wilted just a tiny bit.

"And cheer up," Chris grinned, "This isn't me punishing you, you know - I really do want you to have fun and be yourself for a while."

"As I believe I said, sir, the two concepts are mutually incompatible."

"And as I've been trying to tell you for over four years - that's a load of Vulcan bull."

"Yes sir. . ."

"Pack light, Spock, Malibu is warm this time of year."