Kirk

by Starsinger

Crusher is the next out, but Riker is the most logical one for me to tackle next. Kirk and Riker have a similar history in this AU. They both lost a parent, Kirk his father on the USS Kelvin when he was born. Riker lost his mother when he was young. Riker's father wasn't an uncaring absent one, but there was resentment there anyway. Don't own them.

"You know he's going to have a shock if he remembers he was the same height as everyone else in his previous life."

"So, almost everyone else is going to be shorter, especially his mate. That would be an even bigger shock if he remembered THAT one."

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William Thomas Riker sat in front of the recruiter. He was well over six feet tall, and had dark brown hair and laughing blue eyes that caught everyone's instant attention especially when they sparkled. "Well, Mr. Riker, your test scores certainly qualify you for the Academy. Your father…"

Will sighed, "My father does not need to be a part of this decision. I am eighteen, after all," Will looked into the distant past. He had deliberately come to Fairbanks, Alaska to do this. This wasn't his first visit, but it would be his last.

"Very true, Mr. Riker, very true, although if some of his negotiating skills rubbed off on you," the man replied.

"My father and I have a very…strained relationship, sir. What time does the shuttle leave?"

"It leaves at 0800 tomorrow. You'll be staying in Fairbanks?" Riker nodded. He'd packed everything he'd need the night before.

Will commed his father, "Dad, I see you're not there. No big surprise, really." He sighed, uncertain as to what to say next, "I'm leaving for San Francisco in the morning, joining Starfleet. I tried to talk to you about this, but you wouldn't listen. Dad," Will sighed, his feelings for the man who reared him very complex, "I love you. Please don't be angry with me."

The shuttle ride the next morning was a short one. He couldn't help but feel that a doctor should be sitting next to him, though. He shook his head, slightly bemused. He exited the shuttle and looked around, he'd been in San Francisco a few times, and even to the Academy, but this was his first time to seriously look around. He smiled, a new beginning, just what he needed, he thought just before he barreled into a Vulcan. "I'm sorry, Ambassador, I wasn't watching where I was going," he stammered out. The other man looked up at him as Will did not hold out his hand. Blue eyes locked with brown and Spock couldn't help but shake his head.

"It's alright, Cadet," Spock said standing up and finding himself looking up at the man. He couldn't help but notice the eyes. "You are?"

"William Riker, sir," came the response.

"Ah, the son of Kyle Riker, how is he?" Spock asked.

"I wouldn't know, sir, I haven't seen him in three years," Riker responded, looking away. Spock could understand, his own relationship with his father had been somewhat strained over the years. Will looked up to see a striking Vulcan woman wearing Commander's insignia approaching them.

"My betrothed, Saavik," Spock said holding up two fingers, she joined her fingers with his as Will nodded. He needed to get to the intake area. Spock shook his head.

"What is it?" Saavik asked.

"I can't help but think of Jim when I see that cadet. That is quite illogical," Spock responded.

"You've said before that you've run into people who reminded you of Nyota Uhura and Christopher Pike. There are humans who believe in reincarnation, maybe these are those people returned."

Stunned, Spock looked at the retreating figure, "If so, the need must be great enough for this convergence of personalities, and I regret I will have no part in it." Saavik softly covered his hand with hers, understanding in her eyes.