Epilogue

The group of new recruits had already snuck out to a bar. Great. Pike sighed as headed into the pub, hearing the sounds of a fight and loud music. A group of his cadets were already in trouble. It looked like they were beating up a local guy by his attire. One of the cadets threw the guy onto a table, sending glass shards across the room as a cup broke beneath the man's back. He started repeatedly hitting him as the man groaned.

"Guys, he's had enough!" A female cadet shouted, trying to be heard by the others.

Pike put his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. The bar went silent and everyone looked in his direction. Five of his cadets turned with blood on their knuckles. The local fell back against the table, looking at him upside down.

"Outside. All of you. Now." Pike didn't even have to raise his voice to send them scurrying toward the door.

"Yes, sir," one of them responded quickly as the group fled through the doors of the bar.

The female who had shouted at the others to stop took one last look at the guy on the table before following the others out. A few grumbled softly as they passed Pike. He'd make sure to fully punish all of those involved once he returned. First, he had to find out if the local would press charges on the cadets. His second in command could handle getting the cadets back to the shipyard.

The beaten guy's arms hung lower and he took a shaky breath.

"You alright, son?" Pike asked, trying to get a better look at the guy's face. There was something familiar about him.

"You can whistle really loud, you know that?" the kid's drunken slurs were even familiar.

Pike's eyes narrowed as it hit him. James Tiberius Kirk. It had been five years since he'd seen him and the kid had a significantly less amount of blood on him when he'd seen him the last time. Jim had dropped off the grid after getting in trouble a few times and stopped calling him back. Pike had felt like he failed the kid. Bleeding onto the floor, Jim was right in front of him again. It was like getting a second chance. He opened his mouth to say something right as Jim's body went limp and he passed out.

Pike helped clear the locals from the bar and turned his attention back to Jim. The bartender started cleaning up as he handed some smelling salts to the captain. He ran them under Jim's nose and the kid started, falling from the table and spitting blood from his mouth as he gasped.

"It's been a long time, Jim."

The blue eyes started up at him, cloudy but clear as he realized who was standing before him. "Chris Pike. Yeah, it's been a while."

Chris knew better than offering to help the kid up. Jim took a minute to compose himself before pushing up on his hands and stumbling into the nearest chair.

"Can I get a drink?" Jim asked.

The bartender frowned, but brought over a drink, along with a napkin dispenser and motioned to the blood on his face. Jim almost seemed apologetic as he rolled up the napkins and stuck them in his nose. The man returned with Jim's drink a moment later. Pike sat across from him, taking in the sight of his kid. The years had changed him. Growing up with Winona hadn't helped him and despite everything he'd done, Jim still became a little bitter and hard. He cared about others, but struggled to be himself beneath the layers of false bravado.

Neither spoke for a long time. The bartender continued to clean around them, turning off a few lights and flipping chairs over onto the table tops. He pulled out a special cleaner to mop Jim's blood from the floor. Jim pulled the napkins from his nose and took a drink.

"How've you been?" Pike asked, breaking the silence.

"I've been better." He took a swig from the mug. "Can I have another?" Jim stared at him, long and hard and blinked to clear his vision. "I see they promoted you to Captain. Congratulations."

"I see you're still getting into trouble. That was a hell of a fight. You know, your father didn't believe in no-win scenarios either. I did my dissertation on the U.S.S. Kelvin. There was always something I admired about your dad."

Jim shook his head. "He sure learned his lesson."

"Depends on how you define winning. You're here, aren't you?"

Jim shrugged.

"That instinct to leap without looking- that was his nature, too. And in my opinion it's something Starfleet has lost."

Pike continued talking to Jim, but it was clear that with the alcohol in his blood and being as obstinate as he was, just talking to the kid wasn't going to get through to him. Life had been cruel to him and it wasn't fair. But Jim wasn't on a good path anymore and Chris needed to help him. Pike couldn't give up.

"So your dad dies and you've had it rough, Jim… you can settle for a less-than-ordinary life. Or do you feel like you're meant for something better? Something special?" He paused. "I've always believed you can be great, Jim."

Jim didn't have a witty answer this time. He absent-mindedly played with the Starfleet ship salt and pepper shaker that rested in the middle of the table.

"Enlist in Starfleet."

"Enlist?" Jim's defenses were back up as he laughed. "You must really be down on your recruiting quota for the month—"

"If you are half the man your father was and the man I know you are, Jim… then Starfleet can use you. You could be an officer in four years and have your own ship in eight."

Jim interrupted him, "We done?"

It hurt to hear Jim dismiss him, but the kid had stopped listening a long time ago. "I'm done."

His words got Jim to pause and he looked away as Pike stood up.

"Riverside Shipyard. The shuttle for new recruits' leaves at 0800."

Jim raised his cup in a mock toast. Pike wanted to scream at him and shake some sense into the kid, but wouldn't make a difference. He couldn't give up on him yet and he only had one more card to play.

Pike forced a smile onto his lips, but it fell. "You know your father was captain of a starship for twelve minutes. He saved 800 lives, including your mother's and yours. I dare you to do better." He locked eyes with Jim before turning to leave. It pained him to walk away, but Jim wasn't a child anymore. He had to learn to make the right decision and hopefully he'd make it this time.

Pike stared out at the shipyard and the men working on the ship. It was hard to believe it was the same shipyard he'd shown to Jim when he was just a kid. He didn't even know if Jim would remember it. He'd made some awful choices since he left. Pike kept an eye on him, even if Jim didn't know it. He glanced at the chronometer and saw it was 0802. He shook his head. It didn't look like Jim was coming. He should have tried harder to get Jim to leave the bar with him, but he couldn't push him. Not after everything Jim had experienced.

The shuttle pilot moved to stand next to Chris. "We waiting for something, Captain?"

"No. Guess not."

Pike turned, but the sound of a motorcycle caused him to look back. It couldn't be. He grinned as Jim got off the motorcycle with no bags, nothing but the clothes on his back. He said something to one of the workers and tossed him the keys to the bike.

Jim smiled as he walked over to Chris. "Four years? I'll do it in three."

Pike followed him onto the shuttle. There was no doubt in his mind that Jim could do it in three. He'd have to clean up a little bit, but Jim might be okay.

Three Years Later

"Can I see him?"

Pike heard Jim's voice through the open doorway as he asked Doctor McCoy about his condition. Nero and his men had messed him up quite a bit. The back spasms were better, but his legs ached. He didn't dare ask the doctor for more medication. He was a bit heavy handed with a hypospray. Jim wasn't kidding when he complained about it.

"He's awake, but there's not much more we can do until we get back to Earth," Doctor McCoy answered. "I've removed the parasite and repaired the damage to his spine, but time will tell."

There was a pause. "Is he gonna be okay?" The emotion in Jim's voice was barely concealed and Pike wondered how long it had been since he'd slept. He sounded exhausted too.

"I think so, Jim. I know how much he means to you."

The conversation seemed to end there and Jim poked his head into the room. Pike smiled at the sight of his favorite cadet. He could see the ring of bruises around the kid's neck and one near his eye. He looked like he'd been through the wringer.

"I hear you made Acting Captain by… let me correctly phrase it how Dr. McCoy told me." Pike paused for a moment. "You emotionally compromised the bastard. His words, not mine. It seems like I made a good decision making you first officer when I promoted Spock."

"I think you did, sir." Jim kept his eyes down as he moved closer to the biobed and stood beside him. "Sir, I wanted to apologize –"

"Jim," Chris interrupted. "You don't have to apologize. You saved Earth and you saved me. I think this finally means you cashed in on saving my life in return. I've been waiting for it."

Jim nodded. "I really didn't think I'd have to return that favor, but I did and I'm grateful you survived. I am sorry I lied to get onto your ship and… for cheating."

Pike laughed, but quickly stopped as the movement caused him to wince. He put a hand up to stop Jim from nagging him. He took a moment to breathe through the pain. "You simply found another way to change the conditions of the test. I think you are a lot like your dad. No-win scenarios don't work on a Kirk."

"I guess they don't."

Pike smiled at him and reached for Jim's hand. He took the kid's in his and squeezed it tightly. "I always told you you'd make a great Captain someday. I'm glad I wasn't wrong. I'm proud of you."

It was Jim's turn to laugh. "I told you I'd do it in three years."

Pike opened his mouth to say something, but Doctor McCoy burst in and insisted both of them needed to get some rest or he'd sedate both of their asses. Leonard McCoy really was the best friend that Jim needed. Chris agreed and drifted to sleep, knowing he'd made the right choice in the bar to dare Jim to do better.

One Year Later

The kid broke the rules and he didn't even understand why it was a big deal. Pike could barely contain his anger and frustration at the situation. Jim lied on an official report and if it hadn't been for Spock's report, he would have continued to lie. Chris thought they were past all of this.

"I am expressing multiple attitudes simultaneously, Sir. To which are you referring?" Spock asked, keeping his voice even.

Pike sighed. "Out. You're dismissed."

Jim stared blankly ahead as the Vulcan left them alone. Chris leaned heavily on his cane, feeling the strain in his body and kept his eyes on the door. "You have any idea what a pain in the ass you are?"

"I think so, sir."

"Then tell me what you did wrong. What's the lesson to be learned here?"

"Never trust a Vulcan."

"You can't even answer the question. You lied on an official report, Jim! You lied. You think the rules don't apply to you because you disagree with them," Pike said, turning to look at Jim.

The kid clenched his fists as his side and his breathing was quicker than normal. He'd known Jim long enough to know how upset he was, but he couldn't let up on him now. Jim needed to know the truth. He took a step closer to him, swinging his cane as he moved and hating the thing.

Jim kept his voice even. "That's why you talked me into signing up in the first place. That's why you gave me your ship."

"I gave you my ship because I saw greatness in you. I always have, Jim. But now, I see you don't have an ounce of humility. After everything you've been through, you don't get it."

Jim turned to face him as his blue eyes flashed. "What was I supposed to do? Let Spock die? You know I can't do that!"

"You're missing the point."

"I don't think I am!" Jim interrupted. "What would you have done? You risked everything to save me when I was a kid."

Pike shook his head. "But I didn't disobey the rules to do it! You were supposed to survey a planet, not alter its destiny. You violated a dozen Starfleet regulations and almost got everyone under your command killed." He paused, but Jim kept trying to defend his actions.

"Except I didn't. Do you know how many crew members I've lost since I became Captain –"

"That's your problem!" Pike shouted.

"Not one!"

"You think you're infallible! You can't make a mistake."

"Not one!" Jim rolled his eyes.

Chris's anger flashed at the act of defiance. He hated to hurt Jim like this, but it had to be done. "It's a pattern with you. That rules are for other people."

"Some should be," Jim stated.

"And what's worse is you are using blind luck to justify your playing God!" He took a deep breath and slowed down. A look of disappointment crossed Jim's face. Pike forced the kid to look at him. "Given the circumstances, this had been brought to Admiral Marcus's attention. He held a special tribunal that I wasn't invited to. I couldn't protect you this time, Jim. Do you understand what Starfleet regulations mandate be done at this point?"

Jim didn't answer.

Pike gave him a moment to think it over to before he continued. "They've taken the Enterprise away from you. They're sending you back to the Academy."

Tension deflated from Jim's shoulders as the kid realized what he'd done. Pike wanted to look at from Jim, but he couldn't. He'd tried to talk to Admiral Marcus and he'd try again, but at this moment, Jim's punishment was deserved.

Jim's mouth hung open and his swallowed once before licking his lips. "Admiral, listen –" he started to stay.

Pike bit back a groan. "No, I'm not listening this time, Jim. Why should I listen?"

"I understand that regulations –"

"No. I can't listen. You don't listen to anyone but yourself! You don't comply with the rules. You don't take responsibility for anything. And you don't respect the chair. You know why?" Pike paused as he lowered his voice. "Because you're not ready for it."

Jim's eyes filled with moisture and he quickly blinked it away. Pike opened his mouth to try and explain what would happen next, but he couldn't. He'd done everything he could to help Jim, but some days it wasn't enough. Jim nodded and rushed from Pike's office. Chris fell into his chair, stretching out his weaker leg. He didn't know if he could help Jim this time.

"Thanks Doctor. Just let me know if you hear from him." Pike closed his communicator. No one had heard from Jim all day long. Chris had finished his negotiations with Admiral Marcus and he wanted to share the news with Jim, but he couldn't find him. Even Doctor McCoy hadn't heard from him and was a bit worried. Pike ran a hand across his forehead as he tried to think of where Jim could be hiding. He sighed as he realized where Jim might've gone. The kid was a lot like him.

The bar wasn't very busy and it was easy to see Jim. He sat at the counter, throwing back a scotch. A pretty brown haired woman stood to his right, smiling at Jim. Of course, the kid would resort to picking up a woman to make himself feel better. Nothing had changed in that aspect. Pike plopped down right as Jim opened his mouth to say something to the woman. Jim groaned.

Chris observed him for a moment as he hung his cane on the bar and crossed his arms. Jim wasn't inebriated, which was really good.

Jim's head hung for on his chest before he spoke. "How did you find me?"

Chris smiled and motioned for some water. "I know you better than you think I do. You know, Admiral Mitchell found me in a bar like this once. It was the night you first stayed with your mom. I tried to drink away my sorrows, but he came to talk to me." He shook his head at the memory. "The last time you and I were in a dive like this, you got your ass handed to you. You remember that?"

"No I don't."

"It was an epic beating. You had napkins hanging out of your nose. Did you not?"

Jim laughed as he finally looked up from the bar and a smile crossed his face. "Yeah, that was a good fight."

"A good fight." Pike sighed as he webbed his fingers together. "That might be your problem right there."

For the first time since he'd sat down, Jim looked over at him and locked eyes. Pike could see the raw emotions lurking beneath the surface. Everything had gone wrong this time.

"They gave her back to me. The Enterprise," Pike said.

Jim let out an exasperated breath as he looked away again. "Congratulations. Watch your back with that first officer though." He picked up his glass and took a sip of the golden liquid.

"Spock's not working with me. He's been transferred. U.S.S. Bradbury." Pike watched as Jim's eyes dropped a little at the news. He was disappointed, though still hurt. He couldn't let the kid suffer anymore. "You're gonna be my first officer. Marcus took some convincing."

Jim's eyes lit up in the dim lights as he glanced over at Pike. Chris glanced up at the clock above the bar to compose himself before continuing. "Every now and then, I can make a good case."

Tears pooled in Jim's eyes, but refused to fall. "What did you tell him?"

"The truth. That I believe in you. That if anyone deserves a second chance, it's Jim Kirk."

Jim turned his head as the emotions overwhelmed him. "I don't know what to say."

"That is a first." Pike smiled. "I lied earlier. I do still see greatness in who you are Jim, but you've got a little more to learn and I want to teach you. I saw greatness in when you were just a kid, half-starved and in so much pain, but you weren't going to give up. I'll never give up on you." He took a shaky breath, fighting to control his own emotions. "It's gonna be okay, son."

Jim didn't hesitate to embrace Pike. He held him tight against his chest as Jim took a few uneven breaths. The chirp of Pike's communicator interrupted the moment. Jim sat down and ran a hand over his face as he sniffed once. Chris flipped it open.

"Emergency session. Daystrom. That's us." Pike slowly stood up and squeezed Jim's shoulder. "Suit up."

Jim watched as the shuttle plummeted toward the ground and John Harrison transported out. He took a shaky breath as his heart pounded in his chest. What the hell had just happened? Jim ran down the hall, back toward the room. He had to make sure Spock and Chris were okay. He turned at the doorway, seeing Spock kneeling over someone. Jim ran to him and froze as his heart contracted painfully. Spock withdrew his hand from Pike's face. His eyes were open and blood ran from the corner of his mouth. Spock didn't say a word. Jim stumbled forward and knelt, putting his fingers on Pike's neck. There was no pulse.

No.

Chris couldn't be dead. The only person Jim cared about as family, he couldn't be gone. The man who saved his life and continued making sure he was okay… Christopher Pike was dead. Jim's hand rumpled the fabric of Pike's uniform as he planted his face against the older man's chest. Sobs ripped through him as his face contorted in agony. Not here. Jim sat up as a tear ran down his nose and dripped to Pike's uniform. Jim stood up and steadied himself on Spock's shoulder before walking down the hallway. Everything had changed in an instant.

"Commander," Spock said.

"Not right now, Spock," Jim mumbled, not looking back.

"Jim…"

He shook his head. Not now.

Jim didn't speak or make a sound as he walked to his apartment. He didn't care how far away it was. As soon as he got inside, Jim went straight for his closet. Pike's blood was still on his fingers as he grasped a box in the back and pulled it forward. He collapsed onto the floor, opening it up. The first thing he saw was the stuffed bear he'd replicated while staying with Pike. The well-loved animal was worn and patched. Another tear ran down Jim's face as he pulled out a framed holo of him standing next to Chris outside of Starfleet Command. Admiral Mitchell had taken the photo for them. Chris was the father Jim never had. He clutched the photo and leaned back against the wall as tears ran down his cheeks. He'd lost the father who loved him.

After managing to shower, Jim spent the rest of the night sitting on his bed. He couldn't sleep, but spent the night pouring through old photos and letters from Chris. After a while, Jim couldn't take it anymore. He sat in silence as the sunlight poured in through the window. His communicator chirped.

On the first try, his voice refused to work. Jim gently cleared his throat and tried again. "Yeah."

"Commander, Mr. Scott has found something in the wreckage of Harrison's ship. He has asked to see us right away." Spock's voice came through in an even tone.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

"Commander, can I talk to you about what has occurred with –"

"Not right now, Spock." Jim closed the communicator before Spock could continue. He didn't want to hear what the Vulcan had to say. He got to spend the last moments with Pike, not Jim. It wasn't fair.

Jim knew he hadn't eaten anything and it wasn't a good idea to ignore his personal needs, but he wasn't hungry. Bones would yell at him for it later. He was surprised his best friend hadn't pounded down his door after missing his medical appointment due to being in a fire fight. It wasn't really a fight though. Good men and women had been slaughtered. Jim pulled on his shoes and headed out to meet with Spock. Spock was waiting for him outside his apartment building.

"Let's go," Jim said, not bothering to stop.

"Commander, wait for a moment. I really do need to speak with you."

Jim let out an exasperated sigh. "Not right now, Mr. Spock."

"You have known Admiral Pike since you were a child."

Jim froze. Spock hadn't phrased it as a question and he'd never really told anyone about how he knew Pike. Bones knew the whole story, but he was his best friend. Spock didn't know about Tarsus or Pike saving him. Jim slowly turned around.

"How did you know that?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

"While Admiral Pike was dying, I joined with his consciousness. He shared an image with me before he died. It was an image of him holding a young boy on his lap as the child cried. It was you."

Jim swallowed around the lump in his throat. "Yes."

Spock took a step closer to him. "Pike was comforting you and I could sense his feelings toward you. He cared for you as if you were his son. His last thoughts were 'take care of Jim'. I thought you should know."

It took everything in him not to let his emotions loose as Spock told him. He'd loved Pike too, but never got to tell him. It seemed Pike knew though. Now it was his job to avenge his death and to make sure he became the man that Chris believed in. Jim would live his life in honor of Christopher Pike and vowed never to forget him. He cleared his throat and nodded.

"Thank you, Mr. Spock. We should get going. Scotty is waiting for us."

"Jim, are you alright?" Spock inquired, raising one eyebrow.

Jim nodded again. "I'm fine."

He'd have to be. Pike wouldn't want him to give up.

A nice long ending for you. :) I really hoped you enjoyed this story. I loved writing the relationship between Pike and Jim. I admit that Pike's death in the movie makes me feel even sadder now that I've delved into their friendship. Thanks for reading! Please leave a final thought.

Emma