Chapter one .A chance meeting

   I tried not to frown as I walked along the Star Fleet academy halls.  I remembered when I was an Ensign here and fought to keep my face calm as the feeling of being nervous flooded me out of automatic response. Captain Pike had called me yesterday and asked me to come. He needed my counseling services at the Academy. I really was not up for this. I had not wanted to come back here. This place was chaotic with all the high running emotions from the Ensigns.
  
  I walked to the Captains Office and pushed the com button near the door. My skin was tingling from the emotions flooding around me, but my outward face was calm.
  
    “Enter.” Pike’s voice made me jump internally.
I walked into the office and then noticed another there. A tall, handsome male Vulcan with almost whiskey colored eyes. I paused and realized this must be Commander Spock every one was talking about. He was the only Vulcan, well half Vulcan, in the Academy. I nodded to him respectfully then looked at the Captain.
  
      “If this is a bad time I can come back?” My slightly accented voice seemed to echo in the still room.
Pike’s blue eyes looked at me and he smiled knowing me better then most. My father died around the time I was born and I meet Pike when I was very young. He had been acting like adoptive father to me for a long time. He and my mother, Jannea, have dated a long time but have never talked about marriage. I have never commented on this, but then again humans, out of all species, confuse me the most.

   Pike let out a warm, laugh.  I could see why my mother was attracted to him. “No Lieutenant Commander Allora Brighten please come in. This is Commander Spock.”   

  I turned to the Vulcan and wondered if I should stick out my hand to shake. Vulcan’s are notorious for not liking to be touched, but it would be rude not to. I placed my hand out and spoke.
  “It is Honor to meet you sir.” I waited to see if he would accept my hand. I felt as if I was testing him by holding out my hand, and I am not sure why.
   
   “Indeed. Captain Pike talks about you quite a bit.” His eyes seemed to look searchingly into mine. He then elegantly took my hand and shook it. For a moment I felt dizzy at his touch and it unbalanced me. I took my hand back and took a step back. My eyes went to Pike and I stood at attention.

  “Captain you requested me?” My voice sounded emotionless to me. I sighed internally.
Pike looked at me with a smile playing around his lips.
   “I lost my counselor, she was transferred last week. I thought of you. Being half Betazoid I knew you would fit. I have a new group of Ensigns coming in tomorrow at 0800. Please meet them as they disembark.”

I knew he could tell I wanted to say no. So I stiffened my back and nodded.
  “As you wish Captain, anything else?” Pike smirked at me, but with warmth.
  “No Lieutenant, your dismissed.” I bowed at him and went to leave. I turned to Spock to find him watching me intently. I pretend not to notice and bowed to him.
  “Good day to you both.” I did an about face and left not very happy with the wall Pike had backed me into.


    I walked to my new quarters and unpacked my articles. I sat down on the bed and though over my meeting with Pike and Spock. So that was the infamous Spock. I pondered my reaction to him. It irked me. I may be half Betazoid, but I prided my self on being emotionally controlled. I did not like my reaction to him. I found Vulcan’s to be cold and arrogant. I am sure Commander Spock will be no different. I yawned suddenly tired. I meditated for a while then went to bed hoping to be rested for tomorrow.