Chapter Two: Meeting Jim Kirk

After we went shopping at the mall, we went back to the Starfleet headquarters. I got changed into a sleeveless red dress that went above my knees and I have black combat boots on. I had a black sweater on as well and my hair was up in a high ponytail.

"Lydia, we set up a hotel room for you," Admiral Pike told me.

"Thank you Admiral Pike," I smiled.

"I will escort you there," Admiral Pike said.

"How sweet of you," I said to him.

"Shall we? It's getting dark already," He told me. I nodded and we walked outside.

"What is it like?" I asked him

"What?"

"Wondering what's out there in space back in 2013?" He asked me.

"Well, it's so full of wonder. Adults try to find out what's out there and when they do, everyone gets excited," I told him.

"Interesting."

"It is."

The car came by and I went inside already. I sat down and Admiral Pike followed along.

"Admiral Pike."

"Yes?"

"Can I go to space?" I asked him.

"Maybe. A friend of mine is picking up his mission tomorrow and I want you two to meet. If he agrees to let you go with him, then you have permission to go," He said.

"Really?" I asked happily.

"Yes."

"What about the risk of me dying?" I asked him.

"I know Jim. He's the one who would try to save everyone and die trying," Admiral Pike said.

Once we got to the hotel, I brought the bags with me and Admiral Pike signed me in. We went to my room and I set my bags aside.

"Thanks a lot Admiral Pike," I smiled.

"You're welcome. I'll pick you up at eight o'clock sharp," He told me.

"Alright."

Once he left, I changed into my pajamas again and I looked out the window. I watched as the city lit up and I smiled at the view.

I woke up from my alarm ringing and I groaned. I dragged myself out of the bed and went to go get ready. Once I was done, I stared at myself in the mirror. I wore a navy blue dress and my hair was braided to the side. I wore the black flats and my light tan skin seemed darker due to the dress. I heard a knock on my door and I ran to go answer it. I opened to reveal Admiral Pike and I smiled at him.

"Hey, Admiral Pike," I said.

"Hello, Lydia. Are you ready?" He asked kindly.

"Yeah. Let's go."

We went back to the headquarters and we went to his office. I sat down on the chair and I looked around. His office was just as clean and organized as Admiral's Marcus'.

"You'll like Jim. He's a good guy," Admiral Pike said.

"Well, there's only one way to figure that out," I smiled at him.

I heard a knock on the door and I straightened up.

"Come in," Admiral Pike said out loud. I heard the door open and I turned around.

"Hello Admiral," A tall man said. He had blonde hair and nice blue eyes. He was in uniform and he looked at me. I gave him a small smile and a little wave.

"Kirk. I want you to meet Lydia Oswald," Pike introduced.

"Hi. It's so nice to meet you," I smiled. I offered a handshake which he kindly obliged.

"Nice to meet you too," Jim smiled.

"Lydia, will be joining you on your next assignment," Pike answered.

"I'm sorry. What?" Jim asked in shock and confused.

"Lydia here is from the past and she wants to take a look on space before she returns home," Pike said. Jim still looked in shock and confusion and I stepped in.

"It's alright though. I don't get crazy like every other teenager. I just want to see how space looks like," I told him. Jim nodded as he understood and I gave a smile before sitting back down.

"Here's your assignment. You leave tomorrow," Pike said.

"Yes sir."

"It was nice meeting you Jim," I smiled at him.

"It was nice meeting you as well Lydia," Jim smiled back. He started to walk away but he stopped.

"Why don't you and I get to know each other?" Jim said.

"You sure? I don't want to bother your day," I said.

"It's fine. Come on," Jim said.

"Alright. Bye Admiral Pike," I smiled at him.

"Bye Lydia."

I got up and walked with Jim. We walked outside of the building and out of Starfleet headquarters.

"How old are you?" He asked me.

"Fourteen."

"Fourteen, huh? I remember when I was fourteen. So what did Pike mean when he said you were from the past?" Jim asked me.

"I'm from the year 2013. I woke up yesterday in the hospital and I had no idea where I was," I told him.

"Are you a time traveler?" Jim asked.

"I don't know honestly."

"So how come you want to go to space?" Jim asked me.

"Well, I've always wanted to go there but in 2013, you couldn't exactly go up with a licensed rocket ship and being over eighteen. But since I'm in the future, I am technically older than everyone alive," I told him. Jim chuckled and I smiled at him.

"What's it like?" He asked.

"What?"

"The past."

"It's stupid honestly. No one believes teens anymore, we get stressed over homework, and we have to grow up early," I said remembering my older brother.

"I'm sorry about that."

"It's fine."

"You hungry?" He asked me.

"Yeah."

"Well, let's get you some future food," Jim joked with me. I smiled at him and we went to a little café.

After we ordered, Jim and I sat there talking. We were by the window and there weren't much people here.

"Tell me about you Jim," I said.

"Me? Well, all I could say is that, I was born in space, my mom married an abusive idiot, and now I work with Starfleet."

"You were born in Space?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah. What about you?"

"I live in California since I was born. I have an older brother and I live with him. Our parents died of a car crash not too long ago and he was already nineteen so he takes care of me," I told him.

"I'm so sorry about that Lydia."

"It's fine. Our aunt is coming to live with us soon so he can try to finish up college," I told him.

"That's good."

"Do you have a ship?" I asked him.

"Me? Yeah. It's called the U.S.S. Enterprise," Jim told me.

"Wow. What's it like?" I asked him.

"It's pretty amazing. The crew there is the best."

"Are they nice?" I asked.

"Yeah. No worries. They'll like you. Well except Spock. But he's half Vulcan," Jim said.

"What's a Vulcan?" I asked confused.

"Vulcans are aliens basically," Jim told me without confusing me.

"He's half alien?" I asked.

"Yeah. They don't show much emotion so don't be surprised if he calls you illogical," Jim said.

"Well thanks for the heads up. Now I could come up with some comebacks."

"Comebacks?" Jim chuckled.

"What? I can get sarcastic, sassy, and too smart for my own good," I told him. He laughed this time and I smiled widely.

"I can't wait for tomorrow," I said.

"You're gonna like space. Just stay with me and you'll be fine."

"Okay."

"Is there anything you want to see out here since you're in the future?" Jim asked me.

"No. I just wanna walk around and look at San Francisco," I told him.

"Then let's go," Jim said.

He paid for the things and we walked out. We walked around San Francisco and I stared at the beauty.

"You enjoying the view?" He asked me.

"Of course. I wish I could live in this generation," I said.

"I wish I could visit your time," Jim said.

"It's not much. You guys get to go to space! We're stuck on Earth," I said kicking a rock.

"It can't be all bad."

"I guess," I shrugged.

We made it to a bay area and I leaned over the railing. Jim leaned with me and I stared into the water.

"Aren't you afraid?" Jim asked me. I looked at him in confusion and I tilted my head a bit.

"Aren't you scared of going into space?" Jim asked again.

"No. There's much more scarier things out there," I told him.

"Like what?"

"People."

"For a fourteen year old, you're pretty deep."

"I am a wise person," I smiled. He chuckled and we looked at the water.

Jim dropped me off at my hotel and I went to my room. I was getting ready for bed and I looked outside once more. I took in a deep breath and I looked at the sky. I could feel my heart beat fast and I went to bed.