Trying out a version in which Admiral Christopher Pike doesn't die. Post STID, JJVerse.
Admiral Christopher Pike stepped out onto the terrace and let out a sigh of relief as he took in the much wanted fresh air. As the door swished shut behind him, it drowned out the chatter of the large assortment of individuals gathered inside the spacious ballroom on the second floor of Starfleet Headquarters. The former captain of the starship Enterprise resisted the nearly overpowering urge to lean against the wall in an undignified expression of desire to be anywhere else but at this tedious little diplomatic function. It wasn't that he hated diplomatic functions. Indeed, some of the most interesting conversations he'd ever had occurred at these sorts of events. However, they ran entirely too long; and attendance was almost always mandatory at Pike's rank. He supposed that had a lot to do with why he felt dragged in irons to these things.
Glancing up at the stars twinkling overhead, Pike thought about the USS Enterprise and could almost feel her calling to him again. There was a connection between a man and his ship that simply couldn't be explained to those who had never experienced it. The legendary Starfleet officer did miss starship command, but he was no spring chicken anymore and he desired to settle down and have a family before he got too much older. Satisfied that his former first officer, James T. Kirk had finally gotten it through his thick skull that rules and regulations existed for good reasons, Pike relinquished command of the Enterprise to the younger man about a year prior.
The handsome admiral made his way further out on to the terrace to lean against the railing and look out over the trees, ponds, and pathways that weaved through the courtyard. Cherry blossoms had brightened the landscape to a cheerful light pink and they swayed in the light breeze. It was very early springtime, but the temperature was pleasant. Pike still walked with a slight limp, but the last four years of physical therapy had yielded enough progress that he had finally been able to shed the cane he had used for three years; a cane he wouldn't have needed had it not been for that madman Nero and the Centaurian slug he'd forced down Pike's throat. The slug had attached itself to the brainstem and had enabled Nero to gain information from Pike through pain and mind control that he might not otherwise have been able to. Fortunately, medical science had made it possible for the slug to be removed; however it had left the admiral crippled and confined to a wheelchair for some time. Time, physical therapy, and the sheer willpower of Christopher Pike had made it possible for him to walk without assistance once more.
A slight movement just below and in front of the terrace caught Admiral Pike's eye. A young woman also dressed for the diplomatic function approached the bench next to the closest pond, but didn't sit immediately. Her long, off the shoulder dress was a light baby blue and her dark brown hair flowed down her back in loose curls. Pike could just make out her profile from the way she was standing and noted the delicately pointed ear now exposed as the young woman pushed a few stray tendrils away from her face. His bright blue eyes widened in surprise at the realization that a Vulcan had taken it upon herself to dress in a more human fashion. She appeared much younger than the Starfleet officer had expected. Most of the attendees at tonight's gathering were the spouses of admirals and diplomats. This woman looked as if she was more likely a daughter or granddaughter. Still, she was lovely, but Pike knew most Vulcan woman were betrothed early in life and couldn't imagine this young woman's situation was any different. At any rate, the graying admiral also wasn't optimistic that he'd be able to attract one so young at this point in his life. He did want children still so he had to admit that he wanted a woman young enough to bear them. The difficulty was finding one who would also be content with a much older man; a man no longer in his prime, but would be planetside now for the remainder of his career and had the time to devote to a family.
Had he not been convinced the young woman before him was not free, Pike might have introduced himself. As it was, he rose to his full height, making a slight noise as he adjusted his weight.
The young woman turned her head in the direction of the noise and looked up to find Admiral Pike looking like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Their eyes met and both found that they couldn't look away. The attraction was instant and mutual, Pike noted with some surprise as he found her gazing at him with as much captivation as he was her. He wasn't certain if this was what was meant by "love at first sight" but it certainly felt close to that. He wanted to speak, but his breath caught in his throat, preventing him from potentially ruining what had to be a perfect moment.
The young woman was in a similar quandary. Even with a background in psychology, attraction and emotional attachment were still mysterious and unpredictable. She'd heard many a human, females in particular, tell others that "you'll know him when you see him" or "he'll show up when you're not looking." While the young brunette had never preoccupied herself with such things, there was no doubt in her mind she was experiencing both right there, right now.
The man, an admiral she noted taking in the rank pips on his uniform's shoulder boards, was very charismatic in a quiet, dignified way. His bright blue eyes held wisdom, warmth, and humor. Lines creased his handsome face that could only have been produced by years of stress in devotion and duty to Starfleet; and his hair was starting to gray slightly on the sides. Somehow, the woman had a feeling that he was attractive now in a way that he hadn't been when he was younger. She'd noticed in many human men that age had a way of making them attractive in ways that sheer physical looks and youth couldn't do.
Finally, Pike shook himself out of it. "I'm sorry, miss; I hadn't meant to disturb you."
"Not at all, Admiral. I was just taking a break from the… festivities. I'm afraid my sensitive Vulcan ears can only handle so many conversations going on around me at once. I start to feel crowded, I guess you could say."
Pike smiled at that and the young woman noted that he appeared much younger when he smiled openly. "You too huh? Christopher Pike."
"Sadara Lochlan," the young woman returned with a slight inclination of her head.
Blue eyes widened in surprise as Admiral Pike noticed the slight Irish accent in her speech. It was not everyday one met a half Vulcan woman who dressed like a human and spoke with an Earth accent. For one crazy moment, Pike wondered if she wasn't actually Vulcan, but rather some mystical creature from a fantasy novel.
"Related to Admirals Thomas and Brian Lochlan?" He decided she had to be as he recalled that Brian Lochlan's wife was Vulcan and Sadara bore a rather striking resemblance to her. It had been years since he'd met her though; and it was probably at one of these joyous little gatherings.
"Guilty as charged," Sadara grinned sheepishly. "They are my grandfather and father, respectively."
The knowledge made Pike's heart sink. He'd served with those two a long time. As much as he wished to ask the young woman out, he couldn't imagine what he'd say to Thomas and Brian. Would he as a father to a young woman want someone his age pursuing her? He supposed it would depend on the caliber of man in question, but still…
"Well, I should get back inside. It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Lochlan."
As he went back inside the crowded ballroom, he hoped the noise would distract him from the sight of the young woman's disappointed expression. He simply felt heartsick, if there was anything simple about that feeling.