Admiral Christopher Pike glanced at the chronometer and decided with a restless sigh as he powered down his comm unit that it was quitting time. Reaching for his cane, the wounded former starship captain pushed himself to stand and ambled his way to the door. He called for the lights to be dimmed and with a final glance out the window, pulled the door closed behind him and looked forward to the walk outside in the sunshine.

His final mission as captain of the USS Enterprise had left him crippled after the Romulan, Nero employed the use of a Centaurian slug to ensure Pike's "cooperation." The slug had attached itself to his brain stem and resulted in the temporary confinement to a wheelchair. Much to Pike's vast relief, he had regained most of his ability to walk. He had always been an active man and spending the rest of his life confined to a wheelchair was a fate he was thrilled to have been spared. He still fought against a noticeable limp and required the use of a cane. Even knowing he had been spared a worse fate, the limp still frustrated him. He was used to running on the track at the Academy habitually and now that was outside his present capabilities.

The apartment complex he lived in was only a block away from Starfleet Headquarters and StarfleetAcademy. He walked it still, even with the limp. It took him longer, but he had to get outside and get some exercise somehow. And his physical therapist had encouraged the activity.

It was a gorgeous spring day in San Francisco early April 2258. Cherry blossoms had sprouted overnight practically and turned the landscape a cheerful light pink. As he made his way near the Academy, he caught sight of the parade field; and in the distance he could hear the shouting and cheering of a small crowd of cadets watching fellow cadets play touch football.

The light blue eyed Admiral was tempted to go join them. He enjoyed the company of young people, finding their youthful energy and enthusiasm infectious; but he also knew that his rank was intimidating and he had no wish to spoil their good time. The academy was stressful enough as it was without the senior officers loitering about their after school activities.

Deciding he could get a little closer to the action and still remain on the peripheral, Pike slowly dragged himself through the grass near the trees closest to him. The bleachers were still quite a distance away and the trees might camouflage his presence for at least a little while.

His eyes widened in surprise as he caught sight of eighteen year old Sadara Lochlan among the players. The half Vulcan/half Human hybrid was in her second year at the academy after having skipped a grade in high school. She was extremely competitive, too much sometimes Pike had noted, and especially when she was trying to prove that women could handle anything men could.

She had just intercepted the ball and was attempting a run back when she was tagged down by one of the opposing players. In a way, Pike supposed he shouldn't have been too surprised; Sadara's half Vulcan genes made it easier for her to keep up with the guys. He had met her when she first entered the academy a year and a half prior. She was fiery, competitive, determined, intelligent, impulsive, and stubborn. And emotional… for a Vulcan anyway.

He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but she had seemed more subdued lately. The destruction of Vulcan and the near extinction of the Vulcan race had occurred just a few short months ago; and despite not having grown up there, the loss had impacted her just as it had Pike's former first officer, Spock. And also as Spock had, Sadara had expressed a concern that perhaps her duty now lied on New Vulcan in an attempt to help repopulate the species.

As it turned out, the group decided to call it quits after that play. Most likely had studies to get to and the sun would be setting soon. Some cadets dispersed almost immediately after grabbing their things. Others remained chatting for a while longer on the bleachers.

Sadara was the only one not headed back to the dorm yet. Her best friend, Kathleen Bradley was going to be meeting her at their favorite restaurant across the street in about half an hour. It was Friday night and unless it was finals week, the two young women always went out on Friday night.

Still excited about the interception, Sadara jogged off the field towards the trees where Admiral Pike had been hiding out. A dark eyebrow lifted in surprise as she spotted him and she slowed to a walk.

"Admiral," she inclined her head respectfully.

A smirk tugged at Pike's thin lips.

"Aren't you headed in the wrong direction, cadet?" He teased as she took in her appearance. Though she played sports frequently, her build wasn't an athletic one. Rather curvaceous actually, particularly for a Vulcan female. Typically they were tall and very thin, but Sadara was considered short for a Vulcan woman and had the wider hips and body fat of a more human female.

Sadara smiled at that and shrugged into a light, teal colored jacket. Her Vulcan physiology was more sensitive to the cooler temperatures, but the color of the jacket was stunning on her. "Not at all, Admiral. I am actually headed across the street to meet Kathy Bradley for our traditional Friday night dinner out. A girl has to have a little fun."

Her long, chocolate brown hair was up in a simple ponytail and she pulled it free of the jacket she had just put on.

"Well since I live across the street, mind if I join you for the walk over there?" Pike jerked his cane in the direction they would be headed.

Surprise lit up the young woman's sapphire eyes, but she smiled warmly again. Chris Pike didn't think he'd ever get used to seeing anyone with pointed ears crack a smile, but he was certain the fact worked in making her smile seem even more endearing.

If I were 20 years younger..., he thought. But I'm not and I'm not even in top notch condition anymore. The normally confident Starfleet officer glanced at his cane and wondered with some discouragement how much it affected how desirable he was to a woman.

"Why don't you come with us? I'm sure Kathy wouldn't mind the company. We won't tell if you won't."

"Bingo. As much as I might want to, it would be considered inappropriate for an admiral to socialize with cadets like that. You know that."

"Don't you get lonely?" It was out of her mouth before could stop it, but she had wondered who or what he went home to every night. It was no secret that Admiral Pike had remained single throughout his Starfleet career, but he'd never mentioned why.

He was deathly silent for a long moment as they slowly made their way across the street. Sadara of course, could have moved much faster, but keeping pace with Admiral Pike meant that she had to curb her impatience and walk slowly. Pedestrians made their way into various shops and restaurants. Not many cadets from the academy had ventured out yet. The admiral was certain they would emerge like vampires after dark when their older, senior officers had retired for the night.

"All the time," he admitted finally, but said no more on the matter.

They arrived at the door to the restaurant and Sadara looked up at him with a knowing smile as he opened the door for her. It occurred to him that he treading dangerous waters at that moment; and that if she smiled at him like that again, he might be done for.

"Alright. But just for a drink."

That smile again.

W^^^W^^^W

A drink ended up being two or three thanks to the tardiness of one Kathleen Bradley Christopher Pike's poison of choice was a simple beer, but Sadara, being underage, was relegated to something even more tame; a strawberry lemonade. It occurred to the still handsome admiral that he was very possibly setting a bad example here by having a beer with a cadet too young to even drink, but it was too late to take it back now. The evening was shaping up to be full of uncharacteristically questionable choices for the former starship captain.

"I knew you were competitive, but I didn't realize you meant to beat men at their own games," he joked, implying the football game he'd watched part of earlier. A small smile touched his lips, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was more driving her to be so competitive with men. Their drinks appeared in front of them and the slightly graying Starfleet officer took a sip of his beer.

"I want to be a starship captain one day," Sadara said matter of factly. "If that means I have to work to be the best of the guys instead of the best of the girls then that's what I'll work for."

Pike turned his head to gaze at her. Silence hung between them like a thin curtain for a moment as he contemplated that. "Isn't it illogical to try to be something you're not?"

"A starship captain, admiral? Everyone starts out striving to be something they're not."

"I meant a man." No one was better at semantics than a Vulcan. She knew full well what he meant, but feigned confusion to make her point. She'd be deadly at a negotiating table, that much he was certain.

"I miss it," he said softly after a moment. "Starship command. The Enterprise."

"No one quite like her back here?" Sadara was fishing. She knew it. He knew it. He just didn't know what to do with it so he brought the beer mug to his lips again. He took more than a sip this time.

Sadara waited patiently as she sipped her own drink. Strawberry lemonade done right could be quite tart and she loved it. She glanced at him insanely curious what had driven him to remain so single and lonely most of his adult life. All sorts of possibilities paraded themselves in the forefront of her mind. Had he lost someone close to him in the past because of Starfleet. If not, was he fearful of that? She was a psychology student and the truth was people fascinated her for all sorts of reasons. The combination of genetics, environment, and culture culminated in unique individuals. She found that process irresistible.

Pike looked straight ahead, his expression spoke of his loneliness and was almost wistful. "I have no one back here. Or anywhere else."

"Just never found the right woman?"

Pike shook his head and looked back at his companion once more. His light blue eyes were serious and almost sad. "I chose not to. I've seen too many comrades lost in the line of duty that left spouses and young children behind. I couldn't do that to my family so I chose not to have one. And now… I'm 50. I'm not certain now is a better time either."

"50 is hardly ancient for a human anymore, Admiral."

"Maybe, but with this injury I wouldn't be much fun for a little boy or tomboy…," he smiled at the young woman. "out in the front yard or the football field."

"Old battle scars getting you down?" The Vulcan/Human hybrid frowned with concern. She realized it had to be a difficult adjustment for such a charismatic, independent man to be forced out of starship command due to injury. He'd approached his work at Starfleet HQ and the Academy with such focus and dedication that perhaps she'd erroneously assumed it had been a fairly easy transition for him all things considered.

They both fell silent again and the background noise from the other patrons and restaurant staff filled the room.

"Sometimes. You know, you're pretty good at drawing things out of people. I can see why psychology would be a good fit for you."

That drew a sheepish grin out of the young cadet. "It wouldn't be me if I wasn't digging around in people's minds. I just seem to be able to do it without the Vulcan mind meld."

Setting his now empty mug down, Pike flagged down the bartender for another beer and took a sip as soon as it materialized in front of him. He was trying to distract himself from the irritating fact that Sadara was young and vibrant and beautiful. And he really shouldn't spend any more time with her like this. He wasn't directly in her chain of command so technically speaking it wasn't out of the question for him to get involved with her. There could still be repercussions though. Were they to become involved, many might see the relationship as inappropriate anyway due to the age difference. And many would be prone to speculate that she was with him for his rank and clout, which could theoretically be used to benefit her. It wouldn't break the rules, but it would still look bad to many people and could be a source of derision for them.

And part of him had to consider the possibility that he was reading too much into her words and actions. She might simply be being polite and concerned. He'd been around the block a few times and it sure seemed that she was flirting with him at least a little bit though. He gazed at her a moment longer, curious what she was thinking, and then turned back to glance at the back of the bar. Always had to be on the lookout for cadets getting themselves into trouble. That was when Kathleen Bradley finally bounded up to the bar.

"Admiral Pike!" She said, surprised.

"Cadet Bradley. Don't be out too late, you two. Finals are coming up soon," Pike said as he rose from his barstool and set his now empty second glass back down on the table.

"Thanks for reminding us," Bradley mock pouted.

"My pleasure. Cadet Lochlan. See you two around." He gave Sadara a small smile and headed back outside and toward the building behind the one they were in.

Kathy waited until he was outside before she looked at her best friend in stunned, but excited disbelief.

"Did he just show up or what?" She asked as she flagged down a member of the restaurant's staff to seat them in one of the nearby booths. The redheaded Irish woman preferred booths to barstools.

Sadara shook her head as she got up with the rest of her strawberry lemonade and followed Kathy's lead. "He was watching the street football game earlier and caught me on my way over here so we walked together and ended up getting drinks."

"Your idea I'm certain," Kathy said as she slid into her seat and gave the waitress her drink order. "I've seen the way you look at him"

"I do not."

"Yes, you do. You've got it bad, girl. I'm stunned you weren't drooling all over him."

"Charisma is sexy."

"Yes it is, but aren't there guys more our age that have the same quality?"

"No doubt," Sadara nodded. "But they don't have any experience."

"You like them broken in and seasoned then?" Bradley chuckled. She could see that about her best friend. "Well, happy hunting then."

Kathy was happy to continue discussing the subject with Sadara, but she figured it was likely just a crush on a mentor and that it would go away on its own. She didn't see that there was any way it would get serious on either Sadara's part or Admiral Pike's.

StarfleetAcademy cadets weren't always right though.