"Felicity, honey?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"You're drowning your pancakes in maple syrup."

Perplexed by what her father said, Felicity looked down at her plate. Looking down, she discovered that her dish was flooded with maple syrup. Her father was right, her pancakes were drowning. It was at the fault of Felicity holding her maple syrup dispenser over her pancakes longer than necessary. Felicity was absolutely mindless of the fact she was participating in such an action.

"Oh…" Felicity said. She then gently laid the syrup dispenser down on the white table cloth as if she yielded a dangerous weapon. "Oops."

"'Oops' is right," her father said. You'd think that after all these years, you'd understand the dangers of syrup?"

"Hey," Felicity feigned offense. "Syrup isn't exactly an explosive device."

"Well, with the way you handle it…It might as well be," he teased.

Felicity pouted her lips at her father's remark.

"Do you want a new plate?" Christopher asked, ready to call over the waiter.

"No," Felicity replied, cutting out a piece of her pancake stack with her fork and knife.

"Besides," she held her fork inches away from her lips, a hotcake was stabbed through the spears. "You know how hungry I get," she smirked before placing the flat cake in her mouth. "I thought you knew me, Dad," she said playfully with her mouth partly full.

"I do know you," Christopher pointed out. "And, don't talk with your mouth full," he said in a paternalistic tone.

Slightly shamed by her father's criticism, Felicity remained silent and chewed on her cake with closed lips.

Felicity sat across from her father in Evan's Diner. It was a diner located several blocks away from Star Fleet Academy. The diner also had a bayside view of the San Francisco bay making it have the perfect location. Felicity was more than familiar with Evan's Diner as it was the place both her mom and dad had managed to take her to when she was younger. It was a place both Felicity and Christopher enjoyed. So, when her father had offered to share breakfast with her at this specific place, there was no way she could ever say no. Plus, they had the best chocolate chip pancakes in San Francisco. And, Felicity had a weakness for chocolate chip pancakes.

"So, how was orientation?" Christopher asked he drank from his porcelain coffee mug.

"It was fine," Felicity answered, reaching for her glass of orange juice. "A majority of the day was filled with lectures on what not to do on campus. At one point, our instructors stated very clearly that the University does not sponsor campus parties at all, but that didn't stop upperclassmen from throwing a party last night. If anything, I think it spurred all of them on."

Christopher smiled, reminiscing about his own days in the Academy. "How could they not? It's a campus tradition. Cadets will do anything to hold up tradition. Even when I was a cadet, "The Party of the Year" was a big deal."

Felicity looked at her father quizzically, "From the smile on your face, I'm guessing you didn't miss on the festivities when you were a cadet. Right, Dad?"

"Of course, I did. Those were the days…" Christopher said, trailing off into the reflection of his younger years. "Oh the shenanigans my friends and I would get into. Did I tell you about the time when-"

"You and your friends broke into the library to play a prank on the administration. You managed to pull it off by using the air vents which is why you didn't get caught. And, the administration still doesn't know who was behind it." Felicity recalled from memory. Her father had told her the story of him breaking into the campus library many times before. "Was that what you were going to say?"

Christopher gave his daughter a pout of his own and hesitated in speaking, "Yes..."

"Just like you know me, Dad," she said, smugly. "I- know-you."

He gave her a sideways glance, "Touché."

Felicity smirked again before, proudly, consuming another piece of her pancake.

"So, what did you do after the tour?" Christopher asked, wanting to start another conversation. He placed his coffee cup down and began to butter his toast.

"I went to my dorm room to meet my roommate."

"How was that? Do you like her?" he said with interest.

Felicity pondered what words she could use to describe Ariel. Was she a good roommate? No. Was she an absolutely terrible roommate? No, not exactly. Was she the absolute worst? No, not really. So what did Felicity truly think about Ariel? "She is…okay…" Felicity concluded, tentatively.

Christopher caught on to his daughter's vague portrayal. "That bad huh?"

Felicity nodded, "And, that is all I have to say."

"If it ever gets absolutely terrible, you know you can always come back home, right?"

Felicity nodded again, expressing her understanding of what her father had insisted on previously. "I know, Dad."

"Because really I have no problem with the matter," he said once more, illustrating how much he would like for her to be home.

"I know you don't. It's just…" she started, thinking of the most appropriate way to put her thoughts into words. Felicity knew there was a safe place for her at home. But, at the same time, she needed to grow up a little bit. And, that meant she needed to live away from home for a while even if it meant living several blocks away. "I need to live on my own for once. I need to get used to being an adult and not depend on you all of the time." As she didn't want to sound too harsh, Felicity then added sweetly, "No matter how helpful of a 'Dad' you are."

"I see," Christopher said. "Is that why you're eating breakfast with me-to be on your own?"

To Christopher, if she was trying to be independent she certainly had a funny way of showing it.

Felicity looked back at her father and then back at her delicious meal. "Come on," Felicity said in defense. "You know I can't say no to food. It's my Achilles' heel. Also, the mess hall was closed."

He laughed lightheartedly, "You don't have to explain yourself, Felicity. I get it, honey. You want to spread your wings a little bit. Get your independence. I wanted the same thing when I was your age."

"Yeah," she said, sitting back in her chair. "I just want…to be independent," she said, finally hearing what the words sound like out loud. Felicity felt that the words sounded odd coming from her lips.

"So, anyways," Christopher said, chewing and then swallowing his toast. "What did you do after you met your roommate?"

Felicity pushed herself back up to the table, reaching for her fork and knife, "I went to the library while she went to go party."

"The library? Let me guess you heard about the Ancient Civilizations section."

"Yup," Felicity smiled. "Lieutenant Cortez was kind enough to tell me about it during our tour of the campus. I picked up a book on Greek Mythology."

"Edith Hamilton, right?"

Felicity nodded and placed another piece of her meal in her mouth. For several moments, a silence passed between the two of them as they continued to eat their breakfast.

"During your tour of campus," Christopher suddenly began, grabbing his datapad. "Did you see…Kirk?"

The unexpected mention of the Genius Level Repeat Offender caused Felicity to swallow her pancake harshly. Immediately, the image of Kirk almost half naked infiltrated her mind. She could almost feel her cheeks heat up again like they did the night before. She tried to erase the image of Kirk naked and dripping wet out of her mind. Get out! Get out! Felicity repeated in her head. How did her father know to ask her that question? Did he already know that she saw Kirk? Did he already know how much of him she saw?

"No," Felicity decided to say. "I didn't see him during the tour." In truth, Felicity hadn't seen Kirk during the tour of her campus. So, she wasn't lying to her father. She only saw Kirk after the tour. She didn't think it would be a good idea explaining to her father where, when and how she managed to see Kirk. Instead, she focused on cutting another piece of her pancake stack, attempting to not look suspicious, "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I saw him just right before the shuttle left Riverside ship yard."

So, you did see him on the shuttle and didn't tell me! Felicity recollected. For Felicity, it would have been nice to know ahead of time that Kirk had indeed made it to the shuttle. That way Felicity could have at least anticipated Kirk's presence. But, what girl could ever anticipate a half-naked man emerging from her bathroom?

"The kid bragged about getting his own ship in three years rather than five," Christopher continued. Felicity scoffed at Kirk's cockiness, That sounds like something he would say.

Felicity recalled what Kirk had said last night about not minding having a Historian on his ship. In hindsight, she realized how confident he had seemed with the concept of commanding a ship of his own one day. Felicity knew that cockiness wasn't all a cadet needed to move up in Star Fleet. "He's going to need a lot more than bravado to manage that," muttered Felicity.

"That's true," her father admitted, hearing the words she said. "Which is why I have decided to be his Academic Advisor."

What?! Felicity immediately paused at eating her meal. Her father wants to be Kirk's Academic Advisor? "Really?" Felicity said with eyes wide.

To Felicity, it looked as if her father was being very proactive about Kirk. He was certainly taking the appropriate steps to keep Kirk in line. Her father must have a lot of faith in him to make that commitment. Or, Felicity grasped, her father was taking the necessary steps to make sure he wasn't making the same mistakes he did the last time he took a cadet under his wing. Felicity fiddled with her utensils, Felicity had strong feelings regarding that cadet. Felicity bit her lip. And, Felicity's feelings weren't ones of positivity. She saw what her father was doing. He was keeping Kirk close to keep history from repeating itself.

"Yes," Pike admitted. "Why do you sound so surprised?"

"I don't mean to sound surprised," Felicity said honestly. "I just…didn't expect for you to do that. I think it's a good idea. You're the best person for the job."

Felicity meant what she said. Her father was the best person for the job. However, Felicity remained tentative towards the idea of Kirk being around her father. Why? Because it was inevitable that would lead to Kirk being around her. Kirk didn't know who she was. Last night, she was unable to let him know. She didn't even tell him her mother's maiden name of Clark. A lot of people didn't know she was Christopher Pike's daughter. Would he look at her differently when he found out? It was inevitable for him to find out. Wait, Felicity took notice of her thoughts, why did she suddenly care about what Kirk thought? She only spoke to him for a minute. She didn't even know him.

"I'm glad you like the idea," her father said next. "That's not all," her father then added folding his hands. "I also want you to do something for me."

"Okay," his daughter said curiously. "What is it, Dad?"

"If you happen to have any classes with him try to help him if you can. He'll be needing it."

Help him? Felicity bit her lip, she didn't know how she would manage that. She had enough trouble speaking to him as is. She let out a sigh, "I don't know, Dad…"

Felicity moved her eyes to her watch, she needed to know the time. Her eyes widened at the fact that it was now thirty minutes to ten o'clock. She needed to get to back to school.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I have to get to class," Felicity said urgently. She grabbed her bag, "Can we… continue this conversation later?"

In truth, Felicity didn't want to continue this conversation, but she was showing respect towards her father. "Bye, Dad," She then kissed her father on his cheek. "See you later."

Felicity exited the diner and hurried back to school. Hopefully, she would make it to class on time.

Ringgggggggggggg

Felicity passed the threshold of her Astronomy class in sync with the ringing of the school bell. Yes, I made it, Felicity couldn't help but think as she walked further into the classroom. It seemed as if walking really really fast cut some seconds off of her hike back to campus. Of course, she was hyperventilating a little bit, but it was a small price Felicity had to pay to not be tardy on her first day of school. Felicity wanted to make a good impression on the professor, Dr. DePree. Dr. DePree was a prestigious professor at the Academy so it mattered very much for Felicity to be there at the right time.

Now, that Felicity was in her class on time the next step required that Felicity find a seat. However, a majority of the classroom was already filled. Each row was packed with cadets in red uniforms. The sea of red obscured any open seat that existed in the ginormous lecture hall. For a task that should have been simple, Felicity found herself struggling. Especially since it seemed like no one was willing to set aside any room for her. I guess I could stand for a whole hour and fifty minutes, Felicity reckoned.

Suddenly, through the crowded room, a weak whistling sound emerged, calling for Felicity's attention. She moved her eyes to where the sound manifested. Felicity was greeted with the smiling face and twinkling blue eyes of what she now recognized as her father's academic advisee, James T. Kirk. Next to him, Kirk gestured to an empty seat he seemed more than willing to set aside for Felicity.

Butterflies fluttered in Felicity's stomach. Well, this is going to be an interesting class period, Felicity established before she trudged up the steps that lead to the back of the room.

*A/N

So the reason I haven't updated in a while is due to exams, various presentations and papers that I must do for school. I have been working on the 8th chapter and hopefully that will be out soon but until then please know that I have not given up on this story.

Sincerely,

Angela

P.S. thanks for reading and all those that leave reviews. It is good to know that people enjoy my content.