HTSAPM chapter 1
"So, my only options are to marry this guy or continue the never-ending war? Ugh. Way to back a girl into a corner." Jamie grimaced as she spoke. "Believe me, Jamie, I fought it tooth and nail." Admiral Pike gave a frustrated sigh and fiddled with some papers on his desk as he tried to find words to tell Jamie she was basically a pawn in the Politics of Starfleet.
"Marcus is immovable about this. Says you're the only qualified high ranking officer available." Jamie snorted. "Baloney. Captains Wilson and Tennell are just as qualified and just as single. He just wants me out of his hair because I disagree with how he's made Star Fleet prioritize war over exploring. This war with the augments could have been over years ago."
"True," Pike nodded, "but he also thinks your resume of saving the earth will be more impressive to Khan and his people."
"Well, if he's into genius level repeat offenders, I'm the woman for him."
Jamie grinned impishly as she brought up their tumultuous introduction all those years ago.
Pike smiled affectionately at his protege, who had long since left off the repeat offending, though she could still cause plenty of headaches for the Admiralty. He picked up a PADD and handed it to her. "This is the official treaty. It will explain the details of the marriage agreement. I'd recommend reading it carefully. Marcus wants your decision in a week."
"A week!" She spluttered "that's all I get to make a life changing choice?" He sighed.
"I know. It's not much time, but It's the most I could bargain for. He originally said three days."
Jamie gulped and looked down at the PADD, scanning its contents. It didn't take her long to get the gist: she would be leaving Starfleet, marrying one Khan Noonien Singh, and moving to the Augment colony on Celta Alpha 5.
"So I sign my life away and we get peace." She said at last, wondering if it was worth it.
"You know I'll support you no matter what you decide," Pike reassured her as she stood to go.
"Thanks, Chris," she smiled wanly, " but I think we both know there's only one way we can go."