The Cadet

Propriety

EVELYN POV

There was something comforting about pain.

It might change depending on the circumstances, but it's always a reminder that I'm still alive. Despite it all, the pain reminds me I'm alive.

There was a very quick turnaround for a trial for Anderson, as there was video evidence of him assaulting me. I was afraid that this trial would make it hard for me to be hired afterwards, but both Spock and Leonard assured me that I would be unaffected by the trial.

Everything as pretty hush hush, seeing as Cadet Anderson's mother was a council member and didn't want her name to be sullied by her son's actions. Most people would probably be offended by this, seeing their abusers conviction swept under the rug to save face. However, I was unbothered, seeing as I didn't want "victim" to be tagged next to my name for years to come.

I didn't go to class for a few days, and instead opted to watch my lessons online so that I wouldn't have to be in a room full of students. Thankfully, all my professors were understanding.

As I watched a live recording of my calculus class, I couldn't help but admire Spock's physique through the screen. It had only been a few days since I'd seen him, as he and Leonard had practically been glued to my side. I was thankful for the support, but in all honesty it made me feel like a helpless little girl with two big brothers looking after her. As I watched the screen with my hot professor on it, I decided that maybe it was more like a big brother and an over protective boyfriend.

When class ended, I decided to email some of my professors and let them know I would be in class for the rest of the week. It's time to go back to being stubborn and brave Evelyn.

~~~~~~

I was casually lounging on my couch when the door knocked very loudly. I was half asleep, so I sluggishly made my way to the door, expecting My'ya to be there since she forgot her key this morning.

When I opened the door and saw Spock, I was both surprised and not even close to surprised.

"Evelyn, do you really think it's wise to come back to class so soon?" he said, not even giving me the chance to greet him.

"Yes, I can't possibly hope to pass my exams if I can't hear my lectures or see the board. I've spent too much time hiding." I said, inviting him in.

For half a second, I thought about the other students that lived in my hall, and how funny it must seem that Spock comes to my apartment to yell at me so much.

"Evelyn, you're not hiding, yo-"

"I refuse to be a sob story." I interrupted, giving him a hard glare.

Oh, I'm sure I looked intimidating in my stolen hospital hoodie, strawberry print panties, and fuzzy socks.

Spock only looked at me for a moment, before giving me a sigh.

"You exhaust me, Evelyn" he said, sinking down on my couch.

Despite everything we had been through, how awful we'd been to each other, nothing was sweeter to me than the way he said my name.

"You don't get paid enough to worry about me, Spock." I half joked, sitting on the floor with my back against the couch cushions between his legs.

He reached a hand around and made me lift my head up to look at him, his hands resting gently on my throat with his fingers supporting my jaw.

"I would worry about you whether I was paid well or not at all." He said, his dark eyes boring into mine, his hot breath on my face.

Had it been anyone else, I would have shrank away from the contact. But Spock made me feel so safe. Nothing could even begin to touch me as long as I was here with him.

Without saying a word, I crawled into his lap, my legs across his as I gripped onto him in a hug. Spock just held me there as I soaked up a rare moment with him.

"I'm sorry for how I've behaved this semester. I'm not normally like this." I said, looking up at him as I spoke. "I've never met anyone who irritated me more. Who can get under my skin in mere seconds. Especially someone who is my superior." I chuckled a little, giving him a mischievous look. "Though I didn't listen to you too much, and I got under your skin just as much."

Spock gave me a small, genuine smile. His hands on my back brought me a little closer to him, our faces mere inches apart. I glanced down quickly at his lips, but did not move forward.

"And the fact of the matter is I've been too afraid to admit something, both to myself and to you." I said, my heart beating so hard in my chest, I could hear it in my ears. I was afraid that Spock might hear it too.

"And what would that be, Evelyn."

"I love you." I said, fear striking my heart for just a minute as I watched him process what I said.

Without saying anything, he lowered his face to meet mine, his lips brushing my own.

"I know."

He kissed me so gently but with so much passion I thought I would pass out from the heat of it. We fit so perfectly together, I would have believed in soulmates.

I pulled back slightly to talk to him, "This is rather improper for a Starfleet commander." I joked, smiling into his lips.

"I'm not too concerned with propriety right now." He replied, lowering his hand to my bare leg to trace a pattern there on the flesh.

"I think I'm rubbing off on you, Spock." I said, giving him a peck.

"I think I like it, Evelyn."