Are You Jealous Christopher Pike?

Six Months Ago

The operators traded glances as Pike drummed his fingers on the transporter control station. Their commanding officer had few pet peeves, but tardiness irritated the unfailingly punctual Captain. He glanced at the time readout on the console panel then said to no one in particular in a clipped tone, "What by all that is holy could be keeping her?"

Crewman Abbot, a recent addition to Enterprise, started to commiserate with his commanding officer by relaying an anecdote about his sister's lengthy toilettes when preparing to go, well, anywhere. "Ah, sir …" His voice drifted off when the transporter chief briefly shook his head. Attending a function where protocol dictated wearing full medals rather than the less conspicuous ribbon rectangles was the item which directly preceded being late on Pike's list of annoyances. Tonight his black dress uniform jacket was littered with decorations.

Just as the Captain was about to dispatch security to find Aalin and escort her here, she walked into the room muttering, "Sorry. Had a bit of a problem with the dress."

His aggravation bubbling, Pike turned in her direction intending to hurry her along. Instead he stared at her.

She took his breath away.

A civilian, Aalin didn't wear a uniform. Her long dress gracefully skirted the floor and hugged her body, its drape perfectly following her contours, hinting at curves without resorting to overt snugness. It was white … no, Pike thought, pearl … with the color and translucence of the grey and blue ocean waters home to those precious gems which highlighted her blue-green eyes. The narrow material on her shoulders widened into a deep, rounded neckline front and back; in front the silk dipped into a vee and gaped slightly at the swell of her breasts. Sheer tulle dinner gloves reached halfway between her elbows and shoulders enhancing the formal look of the sleeveless gown which was paired with matching high-heeled sandals.

He stifled a yearning to free the honey-colored hair pinned in a braided chignon at the nape of her neck.

Noting Pike's scrutiny, Aalin smoothed the gown over her abdomen then twisted at the waist to examine its back. "Is something wrong? The dress was gift from General Ablick; I thought it would be rude not to wear it." She blushed which called attention to her hesitancy. "Though I did modify it a bit, made it less overtly revealing." Brow furrowed and eyes squinting in an uncertain look she added, "Maybe I should change." Head down, eyes riveted on the ground, she darted for the door.

"Huh … what … no … sorry … stop …" Pike stammered. He reminded himself, she's a friend, a close friend. Nothing more. It was becoming an almost daily affirmation.

Aalin swiveled and looked up.

Pike took a step in her direction then abruptly halted. He fidgeted. Clasped hands behind his back in order to still them, looking as if he were coming to attention. With his unflappable captain's persona restored Pike said firmly, "It's fine. The dress I mean. And we're late." He gestured to the transporter platform. She lifted her skirt and climbed onto a pad. He joined her and ordered, "Energize."

ooooo

When they entered the large room, ornate with marble and gild, Aalin, as she had during the weeks of negotiations, moved to Pike's right keeping a pace behind, positioned for whispering to him language translations as well as names, ranks, and other data about those they encountered.

Within minutes, Varia's leader, General Ablick, and his large entourage approached. After perfunctory greetings with the Federation's representative, Ablick took Aalin's hand in his and lifted it to his lips, depositing a light kiss. "The dress is lovely my dear."

No, Pike corrected in his head, she is lovely. The dress merely accentuates that.

"It was a generous gift Your Excellency," Aalin replied modestly bowing her head and shoulders as was the custom of Varian females when receiving attention from a male. She discretely slipped her hand out of Ablick's.

He continued, "Captain, as your universal translators are now enhanced to deal with our superior language, you do not require the services of your interpreter tonight. And as host of the evening's festivities, I claim rights to the first dance."

That was two hours ago.

Pike typically didn't mind diplomatic receptions, he truly didn't. He chalked them into the same category as other necessary and frequently mind-numbering chores such as maintenance inspections, budget meetings with the brass, and status reports. However tonight's was more tedious for him than most.

Not for the first time since Enterprise came to Varia, Pike questioned the eccentricities of the gods. The Varian people, while not cruel or brutal, shared few of the Federation's, and therefore his, values. They had a strict class hierarchy, with the military its aristocratic apex. Conquest was an acceptable form of advancement, though body counts were expected to be kept to a minimum. Women were restricted to narrow roles and barred from military appointments, most professions, and any positions of leadership.

Yet the Varians were graced a strategically advantageous location in a quadrant rich with natural resources and colonizable planets; an area claimed by three Klingon houses, the Federation, and the Conglomerate, each intent on being the dominant influence. For the Federation that meant establishing a permanent base of operations guaranteeing supply lines and ensuring safe travel corridors. Varia's moon proved ideal for their purposes.

The government and miliary on Varia were synonymous. Hence why the Captain of Starfleet's flagship was sent to negotiate an agreement with them rather than diplomatic personnel. The talks had been difficult and tense, had teetered on the brink of failure multiple times, and were plagued by several skirmishes with the Klingons and the Conglomerate's privateers. Tonight's reception celebrated the treaty signed yesterday.

Pike kept track of Aalin's location in the room throughout the night. Ablick kept her by his side. He ensured her glass of champagne remained filled. He ushered her through multiple dances. Watching Aalin graciously favor the General with her attention plucked one of Pike's subconscious insecurities and scraped at his temper.

That's her job, Pike reminded himself, not her feelings.

Ablick leaned close to Aalin. He spoke. She laughed politely.

Her laugher is like music, Pike thought. Too bad its wasted on an odious man with an ego the size of the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall. And besides Ablick's never funny. Never. Ever.

To Pike time crept. Ablick whispered in Aalin's ear. She responded with a nod and a smile, the one that lit Pike's world. The General casually touched her arm, her hand, her shoulder.

Pike sat the glass he was holding on a nearby table with a loud thump, attracting stares from other guests. He flexed his hand. Unknowingly it remained fisted. An unwelcome scenario trickled into his thoughts. The mission is over … there is no regulation preventing … what if she welcomes Ablick's advances? No. Not likely. Not possible. As doubt snaked in, Pike missed Aalin stepping out of the Varian leader's reach.

Undeterred, Ablick moved closer and put his hand on the small of her back.

His patience exhausted by the intimacy of that contact; Pike strode across the room. The aides surrounding the General immediately parted.

"I must return to my ship," he said in tone of voice telegraphing all argument is futile.

"Of course. I will tend to Ms. Matthews until she is ready to depart …" Ablick replied with a triumphant smile.

"No," Pike interrupted. "We will return to Enterprise together." Aalin took her accustomed place at his side. His diplomatic tone of voice returned. "Thank you. Your hospitality is unmatched in its generosity and riches."

Ablick's pleased and boisterous response confirmed Pike remembered the correct phrasing protocol. Etiquette satisfied, he briskly preceded to an alcove with Aalin in his wake and signaled the ship for beam out.

ooooo

Pike automatically reached out and steadied Aalin after she stumbled trying to step off the transporter platform.

She swayed a bit and dropped her head into her hands. "I'm sorry Captain. I don't understand … I'm always so … so so so careful about drinking during official functions and limit myself to a strict half a glass of wine … just enough to be courteous … because … you might have noticed … I don't tolerate any form of alcohol well … never have …"

He added tipsy to his mental list of triggers for Aalin's rambling, a trait he found endearing. "They refilled your glass when you weren't looking. I should have kept a closer eye on Ablick." He reached out. "Take my hand."

When Aalin tried another step, she leaned too far forward and lost her balance. Pike caught her in his arms and lifted her to the ground. His hands lingered around her waist, she gazed into his eyes.

Then she abruptly and very loudly said, "You really are very, very cute."

Pike' glare silenced the quiet snickering of the two transporter operators. He let go of her waist and stepped back. After what he assumed was a vivid curse in an unrecognizable language, she plopped down on the edge of the transporter platform and said, "Damn heels, they should be outlawed." Ten seconds later the offending sandals were lying on the floor.

Aalin is unfailing discrete, often shy, Pike thought. Like the first day they met, and each day since, her mere presence galvanized his protective instincts, more than another ever had. When she realizes we have an audience, she's be upset and embarrassed. "I'll see you to your quarters."

"Okay. Once the room stops swaying," she agreed with a caveat after surveying their surroundings with one eye closed.

I doubt that will be happening anytime soon, Pike surmised and decided to take charge. Picking up the sandals, he gently helped Aalin stand, and wrapped her arm through his crooked one. Then his attention focused on the transporter chief.

"Bridge is already informed you have returned sir. They report all boards are green," the officer answered the unspoken question. Pike nodded and escorted Aalin through the door.

As they walked Aalin added to her long list of 'why are things like this on a starship' questions. "Does the transporter chief frequently pull duty in the wee hours of the morning?" Due to the current time in the ship's twenty-four-hour cycle, the lights were low, mimicking night. But even at this late hour the corridors remained busy, and crew members acknowledged their commander as he passed. Soon the entire ship will know, he thought ruefully.

"Here and there," Pike replied distracted by steering Aalin away from another control panel capturing her interest. He had discovered in her tipsy state, much like a five-year-old, she delighted in pressing buttons to see what would happen. "Regulations require the chief is present in the main transporter room if the captain is off-ship when our alert status is higher than green, or if the captain is visiting a planet or facility which is not a member of the Federation."

"Cool," she answered.

He suppressed a chuckle at her slang.

Entering her quarters, Aalin squinted as full lighting automatically illuminated.

"Computer dim lights to one fourth," Pike immediately ordered. He handed her a bottle of water and instructed, "Drink this, all of it. It will help."

She sank onto the couch. "I'm glad that's over."

Before he could censor his reply Pike blurted out frustration and displeasure clearly evident in his tone, "Really. You and Ablick appeared to be having a fine time together."

"What?" Aalin demanded as her head popped up. Her eyes flashed with irritation.

He harrumphed. "Never mind. Forget I mentioned it."

Aalin stared at him for several minutes. Realization poked through her fuzzy thoughts. A slow smile spread across her face. She quickly masked it. "Are you jealous Christopher Pike?"

His brow creased. His voice carried an edge of heat. "Of course not. Why would I be? You were simply interacting with our host. Doing your job." An uncomfortable pause stretched out. "At least that is what I chose to assume."

She started to respond.

"I'm not jealous," he quickly reaffirmed.

"Of course. It was a silly and unfair question."

"Good, now that we have that settled, you should sleep this off." His tone had returned to its normal serene friendly cadence.

She nodded. Her shoulders sagged. "It's really all done, isn't it?" she said softly.

"Yes. In large part due to your breakthrough with their language."

Aalin nodded again.

Noting her weary expression, Pike sat opposite on the low coffee table. "What is it? How can I help?"

"I …" She paused. "This has been the adventure of a lifetime. But the mission is done. In a week, you'll drop me off on Starbase 10 and warp to your next assignment. I feel like Cinderella after the ball. My starship is turning into a pumpkin."

The sadness in her eyes tugged at Pike. He tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow. "Hmmm. Does that make me a coachman? Who will soon be returning to his rodent form?"

She giggled then reassured with emphasis, "You'd be the head mouse."

"Of course," he replied with a smile. The full dimpled one. He took her hands in his. She leaned closer. He reciprocated. Simultaneously their lips parted.

Suddenly, Pike felt trapped, claustrophobic. Like he was locked in a prison cell. He pulled back and the moment passed.

After Pike left Aalin corrected, "No, you're the charming, handsome prince. And since the party was a work assignment and the Varian president monopolized my time, this night I missed my only chance to share a dance with you."

ooooo

Present

Despite pushing his body to exhaustion in the gym, Pike found sleep elusive, insomnia settling in as it had in the weeks directly after their visit to Talos IV before he healed from his experiences there. He tried catching up on work. Focusing on any task proved impossible. Giving in, Pike settled into an armchair with a drink and let his mind wander.

A brief smile crossed his face. I was … uncomfortable with Aalin's attentions to Ablick during the reception celebrating the Varian treaty.

No, be honest. I was jealous.

No other woman has stirred that emotion in me.

Does that mean …

Is it possible, was that jealousy a sign?

A sign that my feelings for her are real and not manipulation by the Talosians? Not a timebomb they left in my head?

Did I fall in love with her that night?

A/N: The story of the missions to Varia and Noohra is told in Volte-Face.