Lullaby In the Stars

Pike smiled down at the blond mop asleep in his lap. There was the Jimmy Kirk he knew, the one that always wanted extra love and cuddles. The one that, after Tarsus was so attached to Archer and Pike he had to stay the summer with them at Starfleet while they planned fall missions, and he even audited (not really) Pike's second year weapons class.

"I love you, you hear me, baby?" Jim mumbled in his sleep, wrapping his arms around Pike.

"Spoiled are we," the Captain raised an eyebrow, stroking his hair. Archer and Nona sat in awe, sipping wine, and just staring at the love they had for each other.

"OK, I've gotta take off.." he walked over silently and kissed his nephew, Jims baby blues opened slightly, and he smiled at Archer.

"Happy birthday, my brave little cadet," Archer's baby name for Kirk since the age of seven. He hugged Nona, and let her cry softly. They were both used to these little breakdowns.

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Pike absently rubbed his cheek, the warm skin feeling so soft. He had grown, and suffered so much- finding him at Tarsus, Frank, his father.

"James, listen to me… OK, listen to uncle Chris…" Jims eyes cracked open.

"I will never, ever let anything happen to you… ever, I lost Daddy and I cannot, and will not lose you also… OK, angel face?" Jim looked deep into his mentor/Godfather's eyes.

"Would daddy have loved me?" Pike's heart shattered, how could he even ask that? He gently pulled him up so he was resting on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Jim nuzzled his shirt.

"More than you can imagine, pumpkin…" Pike whispered, he felt tears in his eyes now. They were hot, and stung. Jim simply reached up, and gently cleaned them; he hated seeing his Godfather hurting. Pike held him tighter, letting him know he was safe.

"Uncle Chris,"

"Yes sweetheart?"

"how did you, and Mama and uncle Archer survive…." Pike gave him a kiss on the head.

"We had you two…" Pike whispered.

"Can I stay with you tonight?" he asked in a small childs voice.

"I wouldn't have it any other way Jimmy,"

"Can you sing the song…" Pike smiled gently, their special lullaby that he had started singing to Jim when he was scared. First years were so uncertain, and he knew this one was even worse.

"Baby mine don't you cry…" he stood, and gently lifted his Godson into his arms.

"Baby mine dry your eyes/rest your head close to my heart/never to part baby of mine…" into the bedroom, and layng Jimmy down in the clouds of blankets, and tucking him in.

He gently stroked the blond hair, as he watched his little one fall into dreamland. God, if anything ever happened to him… Pike didn't want to think about it. Another birthday, another year gone, and more time with the Godchild he loved.