I know I change POV's a lot but I think I make it clear who's it is.

Leo

SaraLee for the two weeks focused on reading the books that Captain Pike had so generously provided for her. They weren't for the academy but were her favorite classics. She spent most of her time in Captain Pike's quarters, which she moved into the same day after shopping. SaraLee liked the solace the living space provided her, Pike even allowed her to chose what color her walls were to be, she picked a cool teal shade. She even made Captain Pike's dinner's for him and was happy to be of help in some way.

Admiral Barnett was still going on and on about her joining the academy. SaraLee was at her wits end with the Admiral, he never just got the hint and after missing several classes that he "picked out just for her" she hoped she wouldn't get the third degree. The Federation was still investigating why three humans ended in the chamber. Today actually SaraLee was to report to the Medical floor for an examination, she was not looking forward to it at all. She wasn't a museum exhibit people could point and look at. Most of the people at StarFleet just looked at her with curiosity, some treated her like a celebrity like Cadet Noye, while others treated with such indifference it was a little disturbing, like Spock.

It was about noon when SaraLee got a call to show herself in the Academy Auditorium and was reminded by Admiral Barnett to wear her regulation StarFleet Cadet uniform. She had no clue about what it could possibly be and wasn't about to wear the outfit that made her ass and thighs look like they had their own zip code. SaraLee put on a black skirt and a green cap sleeve shirt. She walked out of the quarters and tried to remember where in the hell the auditorium was. SaraLee went through a couple doors down a few flights and just couldn't remember, she was LOST. She looked around and any indicators as to where she was or which the direction the auditorium was, didn't they have arrows or a kiosk around here?

"Miss Danes, I take you are lost?" Leonard McCoy came behind her.

"Yes, this place is confusing, are you going to the auditorium?" SaraLee wondered as McCoy stood beside her.

"I am, I will take you there." McCoy offered his arm to her.

"Do you know what this is all about. I hope Admiral Barnett isn't going to beg me to join the academy again. I don't know how many times have told the man I am not interested." SaraLee vented as they entered an elevator.

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if he starts singing." McCoy deadpanned.

SaraLee laughed at the thought of it. She looked over at McCoy as tears came to her eyes. What she saw when their eyes met, SaraLee could only equate it with something from a movie she had seen and wished she had experienced.

Leonard McCoy had never heard SaraLee Danes laugh or even so much seen her smile that reached her eyes. Her laugh sounded like some kind of music, he had never heard a laugh like that.

McCoy cleared his throat, "Its right through these doors, good luck Miss Danes."

They walked through the doors together and there were already quite a few cadets and instructors present, including Spock. He hated the man and by the look on Spock's face he knew his disdain for SaraLee and him together could not contain his Vulcan emotions.

When she walked up the main aisle of the auditorium she saw Captain Pike standing by a chair in the center of the stage. SaraLee knew this was her chair, she carefully sat down in her chair. Pike leaned to her, "Just stand your ground, you will be fine." he put his arm around her shoulders. Cosette Ramsombeau and Jack Howard were sitting either side of her, each of them wearing their regulation uniforms. SaraLee smiled at them and Jack Howard nodded at her while Cosette lifted her nose at her.

"Thanks, for everything." she whispered to Pike.

Soon the auditorium was filled and the Admirals had sat in their chairs. The buzz was unreal, she make out some of the comments being made by the students.

"..the federation is tired of her…"

"…they say she's a shrew..screams..my roommate saw her running the halls naked.."

"Captain Pike and her are lovers…she's pregnant."

"She's hiding something…she knows who took her.."

Soon the Admiral spoke in a clear booming voice, "Federation officials have decided to close any further inquiries as to how these three ended in the chamber, that doesn't mean however that we will not stop looking if something catches our attention in the future, we are always searching. Cadet Ramsombeau and Cadet Howard will continue to study here at StarFleet, while they continue to assimilate to this time." Admiral finished with some applause.

SaraLee sat there still as if she moved an inch the Admiral might notice her, "As for Miss Danes we have yet to establish any kind of understanding. I brought you here today so that we might understand each other, the academy, yourself, and myself." his cocky smile almost made her want to jump up and kick in the balls.

"I think I understand you but you don't understand me Admiral." SaraLee quipped as she looked at Pike for understanding. "I am no hero, I almost flunked gym class in freshmen year, its like fitting a square peg into a round hole. My degree is in Social Work and Public Relations not space travel and combat. Don't take it personally, Admiral." SaraLee jumped off her chair and headed out the door.

Again I had gotten lost on my way back to my quarters and again Leonard McCoy found me.

"I am lost again, I know, I should get a map or actually come out of my quarters." I rambled.

"Yes, you should come out more, it might get Barnett off your back." McCoy answered with a nod.

"I don't want to, I've always been alone, especially after high school. I know its funny a girl who has a degree in Public Relations is scared being with people." I frowned, remembering the events that had led to my hermit existence.

"What happened in high school? Was it that bad?" McCoy barked.

"Yes, it was bad, Leo." I have no idea where that had come from, Leo? Why did I call him that? Was I all of sudden giving people new names on my own.

McCoy stopped in his tracks, Leo? He actually really liked it. He faced her as he spun her look to at him and he found not as hard to move as he thought.

"What happened?" at first she would not answer me, she gapped wide mouth. SaraLee had an expressive face, not always pretty per say but it had its own advantages.

"I can't," she shook her head and her eyes were wet. She turned away, I decided not to press the issue.

"I'll show you back, but pay attention." I murmured.

I pretty much "slammed the door" on Leo when I got to my quarters. I had come so close to forgetting that night ever happened. How could I have been so stupid, to let someone show just the slightest bit of interest in me and then spill. I have worked so hard to live a normal life and yet here I was as I realized at a new beginning and I almost blew it. DUMB DUMB SaraLee.