SEVEN MONTHS LATER

"Just one more," McCoy promised. He grabbed yet another needle and pressed it to my neck. "This'll work best if you take a deep breath. The symptoms will be severe but they won't kill ya'. Try to stay calm." Hopefully this would be the last round of shots I'd have to get. Normally cadets at Starfleet Academy would be given all the required immunizations over the course of their time as students. Something about them not mixing well when taken in too close proximity. My heightened system could take them faster, but McCoy felt it best not to push it just in case, so he put me on a Vulcan schedule since my physiology was closer to theirs. I'd tried to wiggle out of this by bringing up that my cells were naturally immune to disease; but the good doctor wasn't swayed.

"You can never be too careful when dealing with alien pathogens," he claimed. "If it makes you feel better–you're taking this better than Jim. That man might as well be an infant when it comes to needles." A hot flash and wave of nausea hit me and a second later were gone; most of the shots had no effect on me, but the ones that did hit hard, and were gone so fast that they left me feeling dizzy.

"Thanks." I moaned as a headache presented itself. Several controlled deep breaths later I started to feel better. If some of these viruses could get to me I'd hate to see a normal person come down with them. The doctor and I were the only people in sickbay as most of the crew had disembarked to visit the colony. It wasn't a real planet but a snow globe outpost on the very edge of Federation space. I almost couldn't believe it was safe for life to exist on there when it looked like it was surrounded by nothing more than a giant glass bubble. We'd put in for a few days as updates had to be attended to on the wrap core; which as far as I understood was fancy for really big engine.  

McCoy hopped onto the bed across from me as he finished making changes to my medical record. "Are you still having trouble sleeping?"

"Yeah, but I'd rather not take anything for it."

"Are you sure? I'm certain I can find something strong enough to give ya' a few hours at least."

"Maybe if this keeps up, but I'd like to try other methods first."

"Counting sheep isn't as effective despite the rumors," McCoy joked.

"I count aliens," I joked with a small smile. I added at least three to my list everyday as I browsed through records on the computer. At night my eyes seemed to swim with the names of inhabited worlds and their people.

"Can't say I blame you." McCoy studied me critically then glanced at his datapad. "Based on what I see here you're pretty healthy. You've regained the lost muscle definition and improved upon it compared to when I first met you. Not that you can stop seeing me on a regular basis though, missy."

"Physical activity helps me focus. I need all I can get these days."

"Space is starting to get to you isn't it?" I nodded, in the eight months I'd been here I'd never left Enterprise. "Cabin fever certainly is pretty common on spaceships. Have you considered going to Yorktown? It's no Earth but it's not the ugliest place in the universe. I'll go with you. Or maybe starting a log? Just command the computer to open one and speak what's on your mind." 

"A diary?" 

"Space is vast and it can get lonely. It helps keep our heads straight in this God-forsaken darkness."

"I'll think about it."

"If you ever need to talk to a flesh and blood person, I'm always available."

"Thanks, Doc. I'd better go. I've got that test in twenty minutes."

"Good luck," he said with a smirk. "From what I've heard Spock's tests are rigorous."

I set out for Mr. Spock's personal quarters. After I decided to stay it was suggested that I take a test to give them a better sense of my knowledge. Jim had encouraged me to wait until I felt settled enough instead of jumping right into it. I'd spent that time making a few friends, reading, and catching up on tv shows I never got to see the end of; but now I felt ready for more challenging things. I already knew that in the math and science department I probably wouldn't be of any use. Especially considering how much more advanced those areas had become. I'd already told them that my specialized area of study had been ancient cultures. Though I wasn't sure how relevant or helpful that'd be all the way out here.

"Miss Sharpe." Spock's voice stopped me in my tracks. He was standing farther down the corridor with the rigid upright posture I'd come to understand was typical for his people. "I was just on my way to escort you."

"How did you know where I was? Did you put a tracker on my clothes when I wasn't looking?" I meant it as a joke but he remained stoic.

"I have no reason to violate your privacy in such a way. I merely inquired of the computer as to your current whereabouts."

"You can do that?"

"Yes. Every member of this crew has their biological information uploaded to the database for that purpose. You decided to remain with us for some time so your profile was added; as is standard procedure." 

"Ah."

"This makes you uncomfortable."

"A little."

"You have no cause for alarm, I assure you. Please, follow me."

🖖

"The examination is comprised of several tests we understand have been standard for a college student of your year. I have added several mathematic and science and diplomatic problems from our own time, to better gauge what areas of study you may find profitable. There is no time limit and you may complete it here or take it to another area of the ship."

"I'll stay." I figured a quiet environment with someone I trusted would be better than being alone; or somewhere distractions abounded.  

"Very well. You may direct any questions to me or skip anything you do not understand."

🖖🏼

Four hours later I was slowly making my way to the cafeteria for pie. My eyes were glistening with all the questions I'd seen. Spock told me he would grade the test and inform me of the results later. Math and science were pretty bad even with his help. History was a lot better. I noticed some mistakes in the material, mostly from the nineteen-sixties on, and brought them to Spock's attention. He said to mark what was wrong and pencil in the correct answer as I understood it.  

"Jasmine." Nyota ran up to me. "My shift just ended. Do you want to have a drink?"

"You know I can't get drunk." A devious little smile was her only answer.

Much later I was carrying a sleeping Nyota back to her quarters; she was a light weight with alcohol. As my friend was senior commutations officer her living space was not far from the bridge. Strange sounds echoed down the hall and when I rounded the corner Spock was there closing a wall panel; a small box of tools at his feet.

"Mr. Spock," I greeted.

"Miss Sharpe," he inclined his head. "Do you require assistance?"

"Would you mind getting the door for me?"

"Of course not." Once inside I took off her boots while using telekinesis to draw back her blankets. I set some water on the bedside table. Spock stepped out of the room to let me pass and the door slid shut behind me.

"Miss Sharpe. I would like to discuss something with you. Would you accompany me to my quarters?"

"Okay." He grabbed his tools and we walked in friendly silence before entering his home away from home.

"Take a seat, please." He gestured to the chair on the other side of his desk.

"Is this about the test?"

"No. However if that is something you wish to address later we certainly may."

I almost smiled but reeled it back at the last second. Small as it was, Spock didn't miss the contractions of my face muscles.

"There is no reason for you not to emote, Miss Sharpe."

"Call me Jasmine. I've been reading about your culture because, well you're the first alien I met, and I wanted to know more. And the not having emotions thing-I don't want to make you uncomfortable." Spock studied me for a few moments like he was picking his next words very carefully.

"Vulcans choose not to express emotion because it is illogical to be ruled by them. It is true that most of my kind find it rude when others display those outbursts. However since serving in close proximity to those not adhering to the principals of Surak, I have grown used to such spectacles." 

"Right. Um...so what is it you wanted to talk about?" I knew vaguely what he meant about Surakian principals. Surak was a Vulcan who lived very, very, long ago when Vulcans freely let themselves feel emotions. It was a time of extreme violence and much bloodshed. Surak was a great teacher that founded a movement, which reformed the Vulcans, by showing them it was better to be logically reasoning, and emotionally suppressing beings. 

"I know the Captain has made you aware that I would like to study your acclimation. I believe sufficient time has passed for you to have formulated a response."

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.

"If you decide to acquiesce, you and I will meet frequently to discuss how you are finding yourself in this century. I would also observe your day-to-day actions as much as possible and record what I see. As well as speak to other crew members you interact with. If I find anything curious I would discuss it with you. With your permission I may summit my findings to the Vulcan Science Academy someday." 

"That sounds fine."

"You are certain?"

"Yeah, I mean, who am I to stand in the way of scientific discovery."

"It would be very illogical," he agreed. "May I make a more personal inquiry?"

"I might not answer if it's too personal."

"That is your right."

"Shoot."

He raised an eyebrow at my phrase but didn't comment on it. "Earlier tonight I noticed your use of telekinetic ability to remove the blankets from Lieutenant Uhara's bed. To my knowledge this was the first time demonstrating your skill since your first day. Why?"

"It was convenient," I shrugged, "and up until then I just didn't have a reason."

"I see. Would you mind beginning the endeavor we earlier spoke of?"

"We can start."

"Very well." He typed something into his computer. "To begin, please state your full name, age, and the exact date, and area you were transported from."

"Jasmine Regina Sharpe, twenty-six, I came here from Cairo, Egypt on July 16, 2018." He typed my response as fast as I could speak it; impressive.

"Can you describe the strength of your telekinesis?" 

For the next twenty minutes I expressed as best I could. There was no real scale for the range of my mental skill. I could move most things with little to no effort but the larger they were the more concentration was required. In the past I'd tried to move large boulders and heavy things like that but didn't get very far. A small Toyota pickup was the heaviest object I'd ever managed to push around to a significant degree. But I could only get it to budge eight feet and was rewarded with a savage headache for my efforts. 

"At what age to do believe you had full control of your mental abilities?"

"Hmm, I'd put it at fourteen."

"Have you ever had any losses of control and inadvertently used these skills?"

"Of course. Lots of times when I was a kid and threw tantrums. As I got older it tended to happen if I was angry or afraid."

"Did these occurrences ever result in property damages, injures, or loss of life? If so to what extent?"

"Damages a few million in equipment, injures bruises and a some broken bones, both to others not myself. No killings that I'm aware of."

"And at the age of fourteen you gained full control and have had no further episodes?"

"Once."

"Will you describe the incident?"  

"No." If my refusal bothered him he gave no sign and never did his fingers miss a beat on he keyboard. He also kept his eyes on the computer screen.

"What of your telepathic skill?"

"I haven't experimented with it as much. I'm not very good at it."

"It is more difficult for you to use?"

"Yes."

"Fascinating." Spock stopped typing to look at me. "You may or may not know that my people are touch telepaths." I did know that but didn't understand how such a trait formed naturally in a species or what purpose it served. "There is a particular skill known as a mind meld we can perform. It is a temporary link bridging two minds together; it may help me determine the extent of your similar ability."

"You want to read my mind."

"That is not exactly how I would term it but, yes."

"I don't know if I'm comfortable with that."

"I understand. I urge you to consider it further and inform me of your decision." He asked me more questions until finally I couldn't hold back a yawn. Spock offered an apology for keeping me so late.

"Don't worry about it. I don't have much to do here anyway." Spock paused for a moment.

"I will be discussing your test results with the Captain at seventeen hundred hours tomorrow. Would you like to be present?"

"Yeah." 

"I will collect you on my way there. Goodnight Jasmine." 

"Goodnight Spock."

Later I was having trouble sleeping. As I watched the stagnant stars outside my window I decided to follow McCoy's advice and started a log. I did it the old fashion way. I asked the machine to make me a journal.