1.13 - Pecks And Programming

~~*~~

On the next Thursday, it hadn't got passed Cali that his classmates had all given him looks on their ways out. While some were pitying, obviously feeling bad about the rumours going round, most were jealous or scornful looks with a hint of amusement or mocking, obviously either believing or being the ones responsible for spreading the falsehoods in the first place.

While this all didn't get passed Cali, somehow it did get passed the usually observant Spock. He had now gotten so used to getting right into his own work and ignoring the class as they left, so comfortable in just Cali's presence, that he couldn't sense the unease about him at the beginning. Even after everyone had left. Of course, Cali quickly corrected himself, much better at hiding his emotions than Spock knew, and moulded himself into the same curious and comfortable Cali that his commander had gotten used to.

Looking down at his work, Cali realised he didn't actually have anything to do. Since most of the class had now stopped going to him for help, with the exception of one or two, he had more time in the lesson to focus on himself and had managed to get all of the work done. Sighing, he decided to read over it for something to do. However, this caught the commander's attention, who looked down at him curiously for a moment before speaking up. "Do you require assistance Cadet?"

Looking up, Cali smiled slightly an shook his head, "No, I actually finished my work in lesson, so I'm not sure what to do."

A part of Spock became curious at his response, wondering what had been different about today that made it so that Cali was able to do the work. Whenever he had looked up, the class seemed to be acting the same, barely paying attention and talking among themselves. It looked like Cali had helped out several students as they had called over to him and he had responded before getting on with the work.

Perhaps they had actually managed to understand the subject matter for that lesson and required less help. Though that didn't make much sense as he was covering a new set of translations that they hadn't seen before. If anything, they would have taken up more of his time for help understanding the complexities of Vulcan grammar and structure. Perhaps it had been too easy for Cali, who always seemed to pick things up a lot quicker than the rest, especially when it came to the language lessons.

Thinking for a moment, he called Cali up to his desk, telling him to bring his PADD. Cali looked confused and almost unsure for a moment before doing so, grabbing his PADD, and coming to stand next to him at the desk. When he came to a stop, he passed it to the commander who took it and began going through the work.

The work was perfect, Spock was unable to spot a single mistake. It was as if the work was done by a native Vulcan. Looking up at Cali, Spock was unable to mask his impressed look as he handed the PADD back. "Good work Caliaire, I could not find any faults." Cali smiled brightly, unable to control the bubble of pride that swelled at the compliment from the Vulcan.

Before he could reply his thanks, Cali's communicator started going off in his pocket. Confused, knowing his alarm wasn't meant to go off for another 50 or so minutes, he quickly pulled it out and saw that it was Jim. Immediately answering the communicator, he flashed Spock an apologetic look but then focused on the call, "Hey love, what's wrong?"

"Hey, I'm really sorry, I know it's your study time with Spock, but I really really need your help with something!" Jim answered quickly, his tone clearly in distress, "It's an emergency or I wouldn't call."

"Of course, where are you?" Cali answered quickly.

"Thank you, you're an angel." Cali couldn't help the small smile that broke his concerned face, quite fond of Jim's name for him, "We're in my dorm. I'll make it up to you, I promise."

Though he frowned slightly at the 'we', curious as to who else was of need of his help, he tried to make his smile hearable in his words to comfort his partner. "I'll be right there."

"Thank you, Cal." The call ended and Cali quickly grabbed his pad, looking to a slightly confused Spock.

"I'm really sorry, my partner needs me, I have to go." Cali explained, giving Spock a sad smile.

Nodding reluctantly, Spock feigned understanding as he tried to push down the disappointed emotions that rose, "I understand, you may leave."

"Thank you, Spock." Cali said instantly, wanting to get to Jim quickly, knowing that it was important. Just before he rushed away and out of the door, Cali leant down as kissed Spock's cheek tenderly, forgetting to use Vulcan customs in his rush to get to his distressed partner.

Spock sat dumbfounded in his chair as he watched Cali rush out of the room after his partner. He didn't know how to react, reaching a hand up to where Cali's lips had caressed his cheek to feel the glowing green blush that had formed quickly and the warm tingling that left an impression of the gentle touch.

Spock had played off the brushing of fingers as an accident in his head to crush the little rises in emotions that he experienced each time it happened or when he thought back on the experiences, but there was no playing off that one. Cali had purposefully kissed him. In human culture yes but still kissed him.

He quickly tried to pull his walls up, clearing his throat and straightening his shirt. But it did nothing as his mind raced, flooding with emotions that fought with his logic. He didn't need such emotions, the boy had a partner, it was just a show of friendship, humans did that.

But although he had managed to fully amerce himself in human culture, Cali wasn't human, Spock reminded himself. Spock didn't know much about his species, only the snippets he had picked up from speaking with Cali. He did vaguely remember him mentioning the norm of having multiple partners, but that didn't mean Cali did. He'd have to look into it, maybe understand him more. Cali was doing a course on his culture; it would only be logical to do the same.

What Spock didn't realise, or more specifically refused to realise, was that his emotions meant something. His tendency to search for Cali in a crowd. To observe him in his class when he was working. His ability to notice little things about the man. His want to know more about the man. His desire to spend more time with him. The way he always felt warm inside when he saw the man laugh or smile, especially when he was the one who caused the reaction. The way he blushed so heavily when Cali 'accidentally' brushed their hands but not when anyone else did. The way he now sat dumbfounded, completely abandoning his previous work, due to the small show of affection from the man.

They all meant something.

He would work it's meaning out very soon, but for now, he would just allow himself feel it all.

~~*~~

Not knowing the mess he had left his commander in, Cali arrived quickly at Jim and Bones' dorm and entered after a quick knock to announce his presence. As he opened the door, he easily spots Jim sat on the floor opposite an Orion girl, several PADDs and computers sprawled out between them. Jim looked up immediately upon the opening door and looked extremely relieved to see his boyfriend while the girl looked over in slight curiosity.

"Hey love." Cali greeted as Jim stood up and shocked him with a hug. "Are you okay?" he asked, slightly more worried though hiding it with an amused laugh as he happily accepted the embrace.

"You know how I'm an idiot?" Jim questioned in response as he pulled away making Cali laugh.

"Yeah, what have you done now?" he asked with a nod, suddenly more relaxed knowing that Jim had the ability to joke about whatever was wrong.

"Gaila and I have an assignment due tomorrow and—"

Nodding in understanding, Cali interrupted with a critical but amused look, "And you haven't done it."

"Yeah," Jim confirmed, looking at Cali with puppy eyes, not even bothering to ask the question as he begged.

"Okay, no need for that face, what's it on?" Cali asked, shaking his head, and positioning himself on the floor between the other two so he could see what they were doing.

Jim laughed, sitting back down in his original place with a reassured and relaxed posture. "Have I told you how much I love you angel?" Jim asked, looking at Cali in appreciation for his boyfriend's care for him.

Giving a cheeky look, Cali replied with a smile, "Yes, but it's always nice to hear it again."

"I love you so much, I don't deserve you." Jim said with a smile, a slight undertone to his words that Cali didn't pick up but hinted at a second meaning to them.

"Yes, you do," Cali scolded lightly with a caring smile, "now come on, if we start now, we might actually get to sleep tonight."

After actually introducing Gaila, the two explained to Cali that they had coding work to do. They had to interrupt a specific section of code and add a different subroutine so that it ran differently.

While Cali wasn't the most familiar with coding, it was a form of language, which his species was naturally adept at understanding, meaning he was an invaluable addition to the team. That being said, Cali still had a lot of trouble, especially since the coding was so hard to crack. It was extremely complicated and had things in place to avoid others from editing it.

Jim explained that the professor had coded it especially for this assignment and that it was meant to prepare them for having to hack into guarded computers in case they were ever locked out of their own starship or had to access locked files on missions. Gaila was the most familiar with the code meaning she was the one that did the majority of the coding after Cali managed to hack their way past the security subroutines. Jim, however, was the worst of the three in the actual implementation of the coding. He had plenty of imagination and knew exactly what sort of programming he wanted to add in as the subroutine but really needed the help to implement it.

With the three of them working together, they were able to complete the work fairly quickly, it only taking about 6 hours meaning they were finished before midnight.

When they realised that they had finished it, they were all relieved. Both Jim and Gaila thanked Cali for the help, Gaila saying they should go out for drinks some time to celebrate since she wanted to thank the man as well. Cali was just thankful he could help but did appreciate the thought. She left around midnight in order to try and get some sleep before lessons, but Cali stayed, not fancying walking home at such a late time, and just ended up sleeping in Jim's bed.

~~*~~

Spock's finally realising that he likes Cali! Somewhat. He's getting there.

Also, I know absolutely nothing about coding, so excuse me for that bit's explanation being terrible.