Chapter Fifteen

Pike rolled over on the couch. His back protested the movements and he wished he had a better couch. Stuffing the extra pillow behind his back, he rolled onto his side. If Jim was going to stay with him, he'd need a bigger apartment. Ugh, he couldn't afford to think like that. Winona was arriving on Earth in the afternoon. They hadn't spoken to her since the initial time with Admiral Mitchell, due to Jim's request. Jim had another appointment with Doctor Kent later in morning, but Pike planned on cancelling it so he could spend a little more time with Jim before his mom came. The kid wasn't ready.

"Chris?"

Pike pushed up onto his elbows at the sound of Jim's soft voice. "Hey, why are you up?"

Jim didn't say anything as he lifted the blanket and crawled under it. Pike scooted back to give the kid a little more room as he lay his head down and let out a shaky sigh. It must have been another nightmare. Pike adjusted his pillow and leaned back. His ran his fingers through Jim's hair as he sniffled a little.

"Kevin and Tommy requested to see you again. They miss you." He waited for a response from Jim, but he didn't speak. "We have some time this morning if you want to see them."

There was a long pause before Jim spoke. "I can't. I just wanna let them move on without me. They won't have to see me and remember what happened to us. It's better this way."

"Jim…"

"I know you don't understand, but I want them to be able to grow up and enjoy the rest of their childhood. I don't get that choice."

He wanted to say something to comfort Jim, but he couldn't find the words. Jim moved so he was touching Pike and relaxed under his ministrations. Pike listened as the kid's breathing evened out and he fell asleep. He knew he couldn't sleep now. He relaxed as he tried not to think about the pending things happening later in the day.

Around six, he completely gave up on sleep and managed to slip off the couch, leaving the kid asleep. Pike showered and came out to find Jim back in the bed, holding tight to the stuffed bear.

"Did I wake you?" he asked, tossing his dirty clothes into the laundry hamper.

"Yeah, but it's fine. I'm hungry."

"I was thinking we could have breakfast at my favorite café and then we could spend some time together. I have a special surprise I want to show you. After that, we have lunch with your mom."

Jim shrugged. "Alright."

"Jim, I know that you wish things were different, but…"

"I'm fine." Jim slid off the bed and grabbed his clothes from the pile. "I'm gonna go shower."

Pike made the bed as he heard the water turn on. He sat down and dropped his face into his hands as he tried to process everything. Pike thought about the school he'd researched the day before. Just in case. He couldn't afford to think like that, but he kept doing it. Chris headed into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. Jim bounded out a few minutes later with water still dripping from his hair. He smiled as he pulled his shoes on.

"I'm ready. Come on, old man."

Pike rolled his eyes. "Alright, kid. Let's go get some breakfast."

Jim nibbled on the rest of his bagel as they walked toward the Transporter Station. Pike had gotten special permission to take Jim on this adventure. Child Services technically didn't want him to take Jim out of the state, but they'd allowed it on this one instance. Since Jim's mom was returning today, they weren't as concerned and as a Starfleet officer, they trusted him.

"Where are we going?" Jim asked again, glancing at a Vulcan passing them on the sidewalk.

"It's a surprise. I can't tell you yet."

"I don't like surprises."

Pike grinned. "It's a good one. I promise."

They entered the Transporter Station and Pike handed the slip of the paper to the technician with the coordinates and the permission slip from Admiral Mitchell. The young man in uniform nodded as they stepped onto the transporter pad.

"Have a good day, sir," the technician said.

"Thank you, Ensign. We'll see you in an hour."

Jim opened his mouth to say something again as the familiar feeling of the transporter began and their molecules disappeared, only to reappear in a strange location. The kid frowned, clearly having thought they'd end up in another Transporter Station, not in the middle of nowhere on a gravel road. Pike glanced at the fields of tall corn surrounding them. He started walking down the road, but Jim didn't follow him.

"We're in Iowa," Jim stated, looking around.

"We are. How did you know that?"

"I wasn't born in Iowa, but I did live here. I know what Iowa roads and corn looks like."

Pike grinned. "I should have known. Your special surprise is here."

"Okay. I trust you."

Pike walked back over to Jim and squeezed his shoulder a little. "I know. Come on. Let's go see your surprise."

Jim didn't say anything as they walked down the road and up the small little incline hill. Pike watched Jim's face change as he saw the surprise. The beams were still few and dozens of sub-orbitals moved around the area. The frame had just begun to take shape, but it was clear what they were building. Jim took a few steps closer to the fence as he grinned.

"It's a ship. She's beautiful." He let out a breath and Pike saw the tension drain away from his little body. "What's her name?"

"She's to be commissioned as the U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701. I think she'll be the pride of Starfleet and possibly the new flagship someday. It will still be quite a few years before she's finished." Pike smiled as he imagined what the completed ship would look like. "Sometimes it takes a long time for a finished product to make it through the rough patches and appear how it should." He shuffled his feet in the dirt. "You are actually the only non-personnel person to see this. I wanted you to experience this. Maybe someday you'll sit in the Captain's chair."

"I doubt it. A kid like me with a history of abuse and Tarsus IV in my records?"

Pike shook his head. "Jim, it will never be in your records."

"What?" Jim completely turned around.

"Admiral Mitchell and I discussed it, along with a few others admirals. We sealed that section of your records with the highest level. Also, any information in the files will only refer to you as JT, like how the children called you. I wanted to make sure your identity was protected."

"What about the recording we made and my medical records?"

"That file is sealed. Only an admiral can access that file with the correct clearance. No one will know unless you decide to tell them. Your medical records will be restricted."

Jim took a step backward. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did."

"Oh. Thank you."

Pike moved closer to the fence. "We have permission to walk around the whole thing, but we can't go inside due to the construction. Maybe someday we can go together."

"I'd like that." Jim grinned and started walking around the fence.

For the whole hour questions blurted from Jim's mouth as he tried to learn as much as he could about the Enterprise and all of the components, down to how the Mess Hall would look. Pike answered as many as he could, but Jim asked quite a bit. He bounced up and down on his toes as Pike pointed out the barely visible features. As he looked down into the kid's blue eyes, Chris realized how much he wanted to raise Jim as his son. He wanted to give him a better life and to see him succeed. But he didn't know if he could do it. It took more than providing a bed and food to be a good father. Damn it, Pike wanted to be Jim's father.

"It's almost time to see my mom." Jim stared at his shoes.

"I know. We'll head back."

"I don't know if I can see her."

Pike put a hand on the kid's shoulder. "Jim, you are the strongest person I've ever met. If anyone can do this, you can. And I'll be with you the whole time if you need me."

"I want you to stay."

He released his shoulder, but as he lowered his hand Jim grabbed his hand and squeezed. Pike smiled. "Okay, son, I'll be there."

Jim fidgeted in the booth as they waited as the restaurant for Admiral Mitchell and Winona to arrive. They comm'd to say they were on their way. Jim let out a puff of air, blowing his hair and reminding Pike that the kid needed a haircut. He wanted to reassure him, but he had no idea how to comfort him. Chris opened his mouth to say something as Jim shot up from the booth. Moisture pooled in his eyes. Pike turned to see Winona and Admiral Mitchell standing by the restaurant entrance.

"Jim."

"Mom!" he called.

Pike watched as Jim took off running toward his mother. She opened her arms and he ran straight toward her. Winona folded her arms around her child. Chris stood up and felt his heart ache as he heard the boy's sobs. He bit his lip and squeezed his eyes tighter. Admiral Mitchell stepped over to Pike and shook his hand.

"I'm so sorry," Winona cried. "I'm so sorry sweetie."

"I love you Mom," Jim mumbled, barely audible.

"I love you too."

Admiral Mitchell said something, but Pike didn't catch it. He tore his eyes away from the scene in front of them and refocused his attention.

"Sorry, I didn't hear what you said." Chris motioned for the admiral to take a seat at the table while they let the two Kirks have a family moment.

"I asked how your surprise went this morning with Jim." Admiral Mitchell sat across from Pike.

Pike handed him a menu. "It went very well, Sir. Jim couldn't stop asking questions and he wanted to know everything about the ship. If we aren't careful, he might be a Captain someday."

"Starfleet could use more men like him. He's brave and truly cares about others. All of those children owe him their lives, but he'd ask for nothing in return."

"I agree."

Winona walked over to them, holding tight to her son's hand. Jim grinned, but Pike could see the concealed pain and turmoil in the kid's eyes. Jim sat next to Chris and his mother took the open seat across from him.

"I want to thank you, Commander, for taking care of my son and looking after him. I really appreciate everything you've done," Winona said, looking at him.

"You're welcome. I'd do it again in a heartbeat." He swallowed the lump in his throat and smiled.

Jim glanced over at him and Pike winked at him.

"You've paid me such a kindness and I don't know how to repay you."

Pike felt his throat close and he nodded. She didn't need to repay him, but he couldn't say that he wanted to keep Jim and not let her take him away from him.

"I'm sure I speak for Commander Pike when I say that there's no need to repay any of us. We did our job in rescuing your son and keeping him safe until he could be reunited with family again." The admiral waved to the waitress. "Let's order our food and eat. I'm hungry."

The rest of lunch felt stilted. Admiral Mitchell and Winona talked about everything from the weather to the current political climax. Jim stayed quiet, but it was clear he was listening to everything the adults said. He picked at his sandwich, but only ate a few bites around the edges of the bread. Pike watched as Jim took a sip of his water, but didn't drink much. He kept his eyes down as he swirled his spoon around in the applesauce. Pike took a bite of his own sandwich and made a note to make sure Jim ate better at dinner time.

As soon as they finished, they walked outside together. Jim stood next to his mother, but kept his eyes down.

"Would it be possible for Jim to stay with me tonight?" Winona asked.

Pike felt his heart drop into his shoes. "Uhh… well…"

Admiral Mitchell spoke up. "I think we should let Jim decide."

"I can stay with you tonight." His voice stayed soft and he didn't look up at Pike as he answered. "It's okay." Jim glanced up. "Can I have a moment alone with Chris?"

The admiral nodded and led Winona off to the side, pointing to something in the distance and talking her ear off. Pike took a knee and let Jim hug him. He rubbed the kid's back as Jim sighed.

"Are you sure about this, kiddo?"

"Yeah, I should spend time with her. She's my mom."

Pike felt his heart break a little as he reached up to touch Jim's cheek. "If you need anything, you can comm me and I'll come get you or you can come stay with me."

"I know. Thank you." Jim blinked the moisture from his eyes and broke away from Pike, putting a smile on his face before walking over to Winona.

Chris dropped his head before standing up and rejoining the group. Winona held Jim's hand as she mentioned touring more of the Starfleet campus with her son. Pike tried to swallow the lump in his throat. Admiral Mitchell mentioned joining them in their tour for a little bit. The smile on Winona's face made Pike's eyes sting in the sunlight.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to work. I'm sorry. I'm sure I'll talk to both of you soon." Chris smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I'll see you soon?" Jim whispered.

"Yeah, sure. Have a good day. Admiral."

Pike ran his hand across his face as he walked away from Jim. Every part of him screamed to go back and stop Winona from taking Jim away from him, but he couldn't do it. Jim said he wanted to go with her. Pike couldn't help but think that the best thing in his life was being taken from him. He needed a drink.

Now that's a painful moment for Jim and Pike.

I know that's not incredibly accurate to the timing of when the Enterprise was built, though I did find it took fourteen years and it might not have been something Jim could see, but it was a great moment to write!

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