Just don't look at them, I thought, knowing that I wouldn't be able to keep that up for long. I hugged my books closer to my chest and tried to squeeze through the crowds to my next class. I had been doing this for approximately three weeks now, this being trying not to call attention to myself in any way at all. This was my first year at Starfleet Academy and I didn't want to upset anybody within my first month. I had already been deemed "that quiet girl" in several of my classes which I was perfectly okay with. I didn't generally enjoy company from other people, especially not humans. They seemed to be the worst toward my kind.

I almost tripped over my own feet and stumbled a little bit, trying to catch my balance again. I looked up quickly to see if anybody had seen and continued my brisk walk toward the large building in front of me. I knew I must have looked like the most timid person in the world, but I didn't mind. I just wanted to get to class and be left alone. That was all I ever wanted was to be left alone.

"Hey hottie!" someone hollered but I didn't flinch. These stupid cadets were always trying pick up girls. "Hey, I'm talkin' to you!" I glanced over and double took as I saw a group of three approaching me. I walked more quickly.

"I do not see what there is to talk about," I said quickly.

"I think there's plenty to talk about," a voice said right in front of me. I finally lifted my head from the often hung position it was in. One of the men was right in front of me, causing me to stop where I was.

"Excuse me," I said. "I need to get to class," I said, almost whispering from fright. This was why I hadn't wanted to go to the Academy; this is why I didn't socialize, couldn't my parents see that? What was so wrong about any other path I could have chosen?

"Did you hear that boys? This little cutie needs to get to class," he said.

I could feel a mixture of fear and anger building up in me. I tried to step around him but he blocked me. "Please move," I said as the campus began to clear around me. Soon there wouldn't be anyone there to hear me if I needed to call for help anytime soon.

The man took a step toward me and I backed up, running into another man right behind me. I immediately skirted away from the both of them. I looked at them each as I backed up into yet another cadet.

"Please just let me go to class," I pleaded, my voice sounding weaker by the moment.

"Not until I get me a slice of this beauty," one of them said.

"Stop," I ordered but they all exchanged looks. I must admit, by then my heart was beating out of my chest and I was panicking. This is why I stay out of public!

They closed in on me. The one behind me touched my shoulder and I jerked away but they were all within a foot or two of me. I was feeling claustrophobic and sick to my stomach. I darted to the side, trying to get past them but they blocked me again. "Please stop," I said, my voice getting weaker rather than stronger. I felt myself retreating into my shell again; I stopped feeling, a useful trait of being Vulcan. I wasn't sure if I could maintain it for long though; I didn't have a very good handle on my feelings as most other Vulcans did. I decided not to move anymore. One of them took my wrist and-

"Get off of her, you rats," a voice growled, cutting through my wall.

The three cadets cursed as they turned to see who it was. It was apparent that it wasn't an older officer, only someone they were intimidated by.

The one that had a hold of my wrist wrenched it as he fled with the other two. I felt immediately that a burden had been taken off my shoulders, but all of my books and papers had fallen to the ground. I took a moment to get control of my emotions again so that I could function properly. I ignored that anything had happened, acting entirely as if I had just dropped my books of my own accord.

I bent down and began to scoop the books and binders into a pile. I tried to sort paperwork out, but I was missing my clip. I spotted it on the ground about a foot away from where I was and reached out to grab it, but another hand beat me there. I looked at the hand for a moment, slightly terrified, before following it up to its owner's face.

"Are you okay?" the stranger asked.

"I- yes," I said. "I'm going to be late to class, if you don't mind," I said, clipping my papers together and putting them on top of the stack. I picked up all of my materials and stood up with the stranger, whisking away before he could say anything else.

"Wait," he grabbed my arm and I almost collapsed into my emotionless state again, "I'm afraid I'm a bit turned around. This is my first week here," he said. "Can you direct me to the Space History building?"

I looked up at him, confused as to what exactly was happening and trying to figure out if he had any ulterior motive. I glanced at his hand on my arm and he let go immediately. He looked friendly enough although his slick looking black hair wasn't exactly normal form for cadets.

"Who are you?" I asked, ignoring his previous questions.

The man looked at me curiously for a moment. He went to spit out a name but seemed to change his mind a split second before speaking… or was I just imagining that? "John Harrison," he said. I couldn't help but gaze at his face for a moment. He looked young but I could tell that there were many more years of experience behind that face than showed. I doubted if this man didn't know where Space History building was. "Where is the Space History building?" he repeated the question.

"Right ahead," I said, decided in a split second that I needed to investigate more. "I'm actually headed there myself," I said, trying to put on as best of an act as I could.

"Thank you…" he trailed off, waiting for a name.

"Peleia," I said.

"Peleia," he repeated quietly. "I assume you're Vulcan," he said and I began to wander toward the building ahead of us. He followed right beside me, seeming keen for conversation.

"Yes. I assume you are not," I said.

"Oh no, I'm human," he said.

I tried to hide my scrutinizing look but nothing could get past those eyes. That was one of the first things that made me doubt. His skin was fairer than any others' I had seen; not a single pubescent pock-mark scar to be seen on his face as was common in humans.

"Is that so?" I asked, not exactly meaning for the question to have slipped out.

"It was the last time I checked," he said.

"Which was when?" I asked, realizing that these questions seemed both stupid and too suspicious. I was sure this man had already recognized that I was suspicious of him though.

The man laughed and ignored the question. Some paranoid part of me made me think that he hadn't ever checked.

I took a breath to recover my calm countenance. "Which class are you headed to?" I asked.

"West End," he said. This wasn't exactly the course name, but it was known by most everybody as such because it was taught by a less than militant teacher about the farthest reaches of the galaxy where the third world planets were. Of course, I only knew this because that was the class I was headed too.

"Me too," I said. "I have never seen you in attendance though."

"Oh no, you wouldn't have. I haven't shown up yet," he said and chuckled. I tried to join in but I didn't see what the joke was.

"Why not?"

He looked at me as if it was obvious but then remembered probably that he was dealing with a Vulcan. I wasn't very good at jokes or sarcasm of any sort… that is, unless I wanted to be.

"I've been skipping. I already know everything that there is to about that class but I was told I have to attend in order to get proper credit."

I nodded as we came to the door. I went for the door but Mr. Harrison grabbed it first and held it open for me. I looked at him and he gestured me through. I went through hesitantly and took an immediate left toward my classroom.

A shrill bell went off and I grit my teeth, almost cursing in anger. This stupid incident had made me late to class. I wouldn't have been that worried if I hadn't earlier observed that our teacher, Lieutenant Johnson, hadn't signed in that morning. By regulation, his commanding officer would be forced to take the class if it so suited him and that just happened to be Admiral Marcus who would not be nearly as lenient as Lieutenant Johnson.

"No need to worry; I'll take the blame," my acquaintance said.

"And you are sure that will please Admiral Marcus, Mr. Harrison?"

"Please, I would rather be called Khan than Mr. Harrison," he said and laughed.

"Was that supposed to be a joke? Is Khan your real name?" I asked.

"No, I was kidding. Just call me John. Wait, Admiral Marcus? I thought Lieutenant Johnson taught this class?" he said, suddenly seeming panicked, and I realized that we had already reached the door to the classroom. He opened it for me and I rushed in, a couple of papers flipping up into my face from the pile of books and papers in my arms. I pushed them down hastily as the entire room turned to look at us.

Admiral Marcus looked up at us from the bottom of the lecture hall and glared. "Well, cadets, I'm sorry the scheduling of this class is inconvenient for you," he snarled.

I dropped my things again, this time in a neater pile, and stood at attention since it was all I could think to do.

"All due respect, Admiral," John said without even flinching at the admiral's words, "this cadet was being attacked. If you blame anybody for her being this tad bit late, blame me," he said and yawned.

The admiral glared up at us, but John seemed to have had a profound effect on him.

"What are you wearing, Harrison? Never mind, I don't want to know. Sit down, Lieutenant," the admiral said.

I lost my focus for a moment and looked confusedly at John. Lieutenant? Was he some sort of teacher help for this class or something? He wandered down the many steps to a chair slightly off to the side but obviously in a teaching position and sat down.

"At ease, cadet. What's your name?" the admiral continued. I lowered my hand from the salute I was in but still stood in a focused stance.

"Cadet, fourth degree, Peleia, enrollment number S576-"

"That's enough," the admiral cut me off. "Are you a Vulcan or something?"

"Yes, sir," I answered.

"Aren't you a little overqualified to be in this class anyway? Why not just take all the exams now?" he asked and there were several chuckles from the class, but I failed to realize at the time that he had been using sarcasm.

"Sir, if I took all of my exams now, I would be qualified to be stationed on the Enterprise. I am waiting until the end of the year that I may attain a certain level of experience of being in a military environment."

The class went silent and several more people were looking at me than had been. The admiral rolled his eyes and wandered back over to the desk. "See me after class. Sit down," he ordered.

I picked up my books quickly as he pulled out a book. He opened it up and began talking again right away to the silent room. I sat in the closest seat to me next to an Orion with bright red hair. She took one look at me before deciding I wasn't worth the time of day and faced Admiral Marcus again.

I sat through the entire class not able to focus at all. I tried not feeling but I think I was more nervous knowing I had to talk to Admiral Marcus after his lecture than I had when those three cadets had approached me. I took notes as best I could and decided they must have been sufficient when I looked over and saw that they were still more plentiful than what the Orion had written.

The bell rang again and I was done for the day... just as soon as I spoke to the admiral. I slid out of my seat quickly, leaving my things where they were, too concerned with what the admiral may say than what dimwit may decide to take my books. I thought it highly illogical for someone to do so, seeing the stack was quite substantial and its owner could see it plainly from anywhere in the room.

I waited for most everybody to leave before slipping down the stairs to stand before Lieutenant Harrison and Admiral Marcus. I snapped my feet together and saluted, standing at full attention.

"At ease cadet, loosen up a little," the admiral said. "Lieutenant, you're dismissed," Marcus said.

Harrison gave me a quick good luck look and saluted before sweeping out of the room the way we had come in. Marcus waited until the door was closed and we were completely alone in the lecture hall before he turned to me again and sighed.

"When did you meet him?"

"If you are referring to Lieutenant Harrison, approximately one hour and thirty-seven minutes ago," I replied. "I'm sorry, sir, but I fail to see the relevance of that question."

The admiral looked at me confusedly. "Do you think he's been watching you?"

"Admiral-"

"Just answer the question."

"Not that I am aware of. I think I might have noticed."

He scoffed. "You don't even know what you're dealing with here. But it's best we keep it that way. Just try to avoid him," he finished.

"Of course there is no way for me to entirely avoid a person; chance comes into play-"

"That's an order!" Marcus said.

"Yes, sir," I said, standing back at attention without any hesitation, realizing that I had said a few things wrong.

"Now get out of here; don't you have some sort of studying to do?"

I refrained from telling him that I actually had no studying to do and instead nearly sprinted up the stairs and grabbed my things before leaving the room without another word. I was slightly puzzled as to why he hadn't mentioned anything having to do with my tardiness. He only seemed to be worried about how well I knew the lieutenant, which I didn't. I knew there must have been something different about-

"Excuse me," I said as I ran smack into somebody walking in front of me.

"No problem," he said and turned around.

"Lieutenant," I said and stood at attention.

"There's no need for that," he said but I didn't move. "At ease," he said when he realized I wouldn't move until told to do so. "What did he tell you? You may speak freely," he said, catching on to my by-the-book attitude.

"He told me to avoid you."

"Oh, is that all?"

"To be to the point, yes."

"You're sure he didn't tell you anything about me though?"

"Vulcans do not lie," I said. "I know no more about you now than an hour and thirty-nine minutes ago."

"So you still know I'm perfectly normal."

"Not exactly the words I would use," I admitted.

He chuckled darkly. "I knew you were a smart one when I first saw you," he said.

"It is impossible tell from appearance alone whether a person is intelligent or-"

"Don't take things so literally. It may help you get along a little better here," he said. "It may do you some good to stick close to me."

"I have orders to avoid you," I said.

"All I'm saying is I could help you out more than you know," he said.

"I do not require assistance," I said. "If you have not noticed, I am the top student on the academy and I have only been here for three weeks." My attitude was getting a little out of hand, but I was tired of people telling me I needed help. "And from what I have observed, you would not be the one to get help from if I needed it."

"Ooh, that was harsh," he said. "But really Peleia," he said and stepped closer to me, a mad look in his eyes as he bent down to me; I felt a flurry of fear slip up my spine, "you need me," he hissed, putting special emphasis on each word. He took a moment and I could see him compose himself. He leaned back again and straightened his jacket. "I'll be seeing you," he said.

He walked away without another word and I was left slightly stunned. I glanced around to be sure nobody else had witnessed the encounter. Something told me I didn't want anybody to know about this. The square was deserted as it was just moments before the next class would start. Luckily, I had no class scheduled for that time and I would be free to go back to my room and ponder over the things that had happened to me just then.

I walked briskly toward my off campus apartment. I, as well as administration, had known that I wouldn't work well with the other students and they had granted me permission to live off campus. I walked to and from the academy every day which wasn't a problem for me at all. I did a lot more thinking than I did talking and it gave me that much more free time to think. I approached the edge of the campus and flashed my identification at the officer waiting by the gate. He let me out and I began to cross the quiet street quickly when a small disturbance came to my attention.

Just to my left was a group of officers coming down the street. I paused for a moment as the one behind the two in the front looked familiar, even from this distance. Something made me stop and look at the obvious starship crew. I could identify each position by examining their strides. The one in the front was obviously the captain and the one beside him seemed to be a doctor of sorts. The one behind them was…

"Spock?" I said out loud.