Splish Splash 

	The tub was filled with hot water and bubble bath.  Christine had spent a grueling day at work.  When she’d taken the position she would never have imagined that sitting and directing emergency operations would have her wanting to tear her hair out, but she found this position more stressful than when she’d been on the Enterprise as a head nurse.  At least there she could physically do something.  Here she was stuck at a desk and behind a microphone.  Sinking into the suds until she was only just above the soap line, she relaxed against the tub’s porcelain surface.  She planned on spending her evening in complete rest.  The long hot bath would be followed by a nice fattening dinner and then by bliss filled sleep.  She hoped to wake up the next year.  She would be alone all weekend.  Spock was out for a week on a cruise.  Janice had received permission to go along after he expressed a need to have several members of experienced crew to get them back if it came down to it.  Uhura was staying over at a ‘friend’s’ house for a few days.  Christine thought of the ‘friend’ and chuckled into the bubbles.  She knew for a fact that they wouldn’t be playing Parcheesi unless it was the strip version.  With a moan of pleasure she lay there allowing the warm water to flow over every part of her body.  She was nearly, nearly asleep when the door buzzer rang.  The bathtub was located in the first floor bath next to Uhura’s room.  Chapel waited silently.  Maybe they’d go away if no one made any sound.  She didn’t breathe.  The door chimed again.  With a groan, she pulled herself out of the bath, wiped as much of the soap as she could back into the tub, and wrapped her robe around her.  
	“Coming,” she called.  Now that she was out of the tub she didn’t want them leaving.  
	Checking out the door window to see who it was, she didn’t recognize them, just the uniform.  Opening it a crack she peered at a Vulcan in a cadet’s uniform, “Yes?”
	“I am to meet Captain Spock here this evening,” the cadet replied.  Chapel opened the door further.  
	“I’m sorry, but he’s out on a training cruise and won’t be back this weekend.  I will tell him that you did arrive however,” Chapel said politely.  She wondered if this was the ‘guest’ Spock spoke of when he asked if he could have someone over.  
	“I was contacted at 1600 by Captain Spock personally.  The training cruise encountered difficulties.  They have been in dock 7.8 minutes.”	
	“Oh, okay, well, nice to know he let me in on that.  I guess that means that Janice will be home early too.  Well, come on in.  I don’t want it said I leave people sitting out on the stoop all night.  I was in the middle of a bath.  Pardon me while I dress,” she excused and hurried up the stairs.  She’d have to ‘entertain’ this guest of Spock’s until he came to take care of her himself.  
	The Vulcan cadet stood stiffly in the entry hall, but she was churning to explore this house.  Since meeting Spock she wished to know all about him.  This was where he lived, with three human females.  Glancing around she admired the use of minimalist furniture but wondered at the rather garish colors in a throw that covered the black leather couch.  Chapel reappeared within a few minutes, dressed and pressed but not in uniform.  She’d put on an outfit she usually wore around bedtime.  She didn’t plan on sticking around once Spock arrived.  “So, are you in Spock’s current class?”
	“Yes.  I am a first year command school candidate,” she supplied.  
	“Well, isn’t that nice.  Would you like tea or water or perhaps something to eat while you wait?”
	“No, I need no nourishment.  May I sit?” she asked.
	“Of course.  Sit wherever you please.  Spock’s rooms are actually downstairs, but he uses these common areas.  Do you mind if I ask your name?  I’d like to know who I am addressing,” Chapel said as she poured herself some juice.  
	“Saavik,” the cadet provided.  
	“Cadet Saavik, that is a pretty name, but rather unusual.  It is not Vulcan,” Christine said curiously.  
	“No, I am only part Vulcan,” she answered but did not provide the other part of her genetic makeup.  “This is an interesting viewscreen.  It is much larger than any I have ever seen.”
	“Used to be on the Enterprise, it’s an old bridge viewscreen.  So, what is your major area of study?”
	“Sciences.”
	“Of course.  Well, I can tell you that Spock is the best science officer I’ve ever worked under.”
	“You were also in Star Fleet?” Saavik asked a little surprised.  This woman did not carry herself as a Star Fleet officer.  
	“Yes, I am the former chief medical officer for the Enterprise and am presently the Chief Emergency Medical Officer for Star Fleet command.  Why?”
	“You do not appear…”
	“Strict enough, military, no, I’m not military at all.  I joined up for one particular reason and have stayed longer than I ever thought I would,” Chapel admitted with a smile.  It was true.  She thought she’d be in for a year, perhaps two.  Now she seemed to be in for life.  
	“So you are not a formally trained Star Fleet officer?” Saavik replied focusing her dark eyes on the tall human.
	“No, oh I took the training courses and you could say I apprenticed my way into the stripes, but I’ve earned my commission and my position.  My education however has been a purely private one.”
	That line of inquiry stopped.  Saavik chose to sit in a position so that her back was to a wall, and she could see everything from one view.  Christine sipped the juice.  “Spock mentioned something about giving a cadet extra tutoring.  Are you the cadet?”
	“He is assisting me in my control techniques.  I am not as strong as I should be,” she said with a tinge of shame in her voice.  
	“Well, Spock has had his share of compromising moments so he’s probably the best person in the universe to go to,” at Saavik’s questioning look, Chapel added,” You said you were not full Vulcan.”
	“Yes, that is true.  Captain Spock is a unique individual and has been generous enough to give me the benefit of his experience.”
	Christine smiled slowly, “I’ll bet.”
	Once again the conversation halted.  Just as Saavik was going to ask something else, the sound of a key being fitted in the downstairs door pulled Chapel out of her racing thoughts.  “That is probably them,” she provided cheerfully.  Spock’s telltale step reassured she was correct.  
	Christine went over to the stairs to meet him, “You have a guest.”
	“Yes, I know,” he replied and went into the main room.  “Cadet Saavik, you have met Dr. Chapel of course.”
	Christine realized that she hadn’t provided the girl with her name yet had insisted on knowing hers, “Sorry, I forgot to tell you who I was.  We’ve just been talking.  Is Janice home?”
	“No, she is meeting someone for the evening.  I brought her skimmer home.  She said to tell you not to worry,” Spock replied with an upturned brow.  
	“Not me.  Well, you kids have a good time.  I’m going to get some supper and then head for bed.”
	“Cadet, it will be less distracting in my quarters,” Spock said and escorted the girl down the stairs.  He didn’t hear Chapel as she muttered, “No, there won’t be any distractions at all….”