Hey y'all! It's actually been forever since I've updated this story. I'm sorry for dropping this story but I really had no idea where it was going and kind of lost my interest in Star Trek. Not to fret though, I'm back in the groove and even have a solid idea of what's going to happen next in this story. My writing's changed a bit but hopefully it's not too bad. Let me know what you guys think!

2258 – June 18th 1800 hours

"Yeah, Dad, no I wasn't gonna keep it a secret from you. No, no. Of course! You know me and you know him!" Audrey smiled slightly exasperated as she spoke to her father on the PADD. Christopher Pike gave his daughter a stern look.

"Of course, I do. That's the only reason why I haven't skinned him alive yet," he deadpanned. Chris Pike knew what a good guy Dr. Leonard McCoy was. He'd be hard pressed to find a guy any better than him but he had hoped that she would settle down with someone more grounded, someone she could start a family with. McCoy, despite his good intentions, carried a significant amount of baggage. No father would want that for his daughter if they could help it.

"He better rectify this soon because I'm inclined to seriously have a word with one of his commanding officers about his ethical behavior."

"Dad. You are one of his commanding officers."

"Well would you look at that? I guess I am." Audrey glared at her father and Pike couldn't keep up the stern façade for long. "You know, I'm joking baby girl."

Audrey smiled softly at her overly worried father. Of course he only had the best intentions for her. "Dad, I love you."

Chris couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter's perceptiveness. "I love you too, baby girl. I just worry about you and want the best for you."

"I know. I'll let Leo know that you'd like him to come talk to you."

"Not just talk to me but you let the good doctor know that he better have a good argument for why I should give him my permission to be even near my baby girl."

"Mmhmm. Right." Audrey rolled her eyes at him good naturedly. "I will Dad. Don't worry."

Pike smiled and took a moment to study his daughter's face. "He makes you happy?"

Audrey looked down at the floor briefly and a gentle smile found its way onto her face. "Yes, Dad. He really does."

"You sure, I can't convince you to give Jim a second chance? After all the times I tried to put the two of you together." He shook his head.

"Dad!" They both shared a knowing look and burst out laughing.

"Crazy talk right?"

"Definitely stark raving mad."

Pike laughed heartedly and his eyes crinkled in amusement. "Well time for this old man to get back to work, I'll let you get back to your vacation."

"Alright Dad. You take care and don't work too much. Even admirals need some down time. Love you!" Audrey waved at her father and smiled once more before terminating the link. Putting the PADD down, Audrey took a deep breath and looked out at the ocean from her seat on the beach. This island was beautiful beyond belief. A life in StarFleet was always exciting but sometimes when she saw tranquil places like this island, she couldn't help but entertain the thought of what it would be like to live a normal stationary life that so many others had. Closing her eyes, she thought of earth and home. Just as she was drifting off in the fantasy in her mind, she felt a pair of warm rough hands on her shoulders. Audrey smiled as she felt his large hands knead her normally tense muscles. "Mmmm. Don't stop."

She heard a low chuckle as Leo sat down behind her and pulled her into his arms. Lightly kissing the side of her neck, Bones rested his head in the crook of her neck. "How was the phone call to your dad?"

"Good! He found out that we're together."

Bones jerked his head up in surprise. "He knows?!"

"Mmhmm. He was a little peeved that you didn't ask his permission to date me beforehand." Audrey replied lazily enjoying the physical contact.

"Goddamnit. I should've done this right." He let go of Audrey and a deep furrow of his brow appeared. Surprised at the sudden loss of contact, Audrey pouted and looked at him confused.

"Leo, it'll be fine. He's not actually upset, he just wants to do his fatherly duties."

His eyes found hers and looked deeply into her eyes. "He's right to want to do that, dear heart. Any good father would do that for his daughter. Audrey, I should have been a better man. I know better than that."

Audrey raised her hand to his cheek and returned his equally intense, "You are, Leo." She kissed him softly endeavoring to show him exactly what he meant to her. "I'm with you because of who you are and because I want to be." Leo smiled and kissed her ever so tenderly taking her breath away.

"Sometimes I wish I met you first," he confessed. "Sometimes I stay up at night wondering what life would have been like had I met you and never married Jocelyn." Leo pushed back a strand of hair that fell loose and held her so delicately. "I never understood her," he shook his head, "She always hid things from me. Never told me what was wrong, never let me help her."

Audrey stiffened slightly. The secret she constantly held sat heavily in the pit of her stomach reminding her more than before of its presence. Leo, however, took it as a different sign and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, darling. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable by talking about Jocelyn. I just wanted to tell you how much you mean to me." Audrey smiled and tried her best to mask her guilt. Pushing it aside as best she could, she pulled herself and Leo up to their feet.

"Come on slow poke! If we're gone too long, who knows what kind of trouble Jim will get up to!" Pushing Leo ahead of her, she said, "Come on let's go!"

Chuckling, Leo let himself be pushed towards the house and kept walking trusting that Audrey would be close behind him. As she watched his strong broad back in front of her, a worried expression took over Audrey's face. What if Leo couldn't accept her secret? What Jim and Spock knew was only the tip of the iceberg. Even her father wasn't aware of some of the intricacies of her origins. To be plain, her secret terrified herself more than she cared to admit. How could she reveal such a monstrosity on those she loved?

2258 - July 20th 0900

Today was the day. Jim had been waiting nervously with the senior crew to board his Enterprise. Sometimes he still couldn't believe his luck. The newest ship of the fleet and she was all his. Jim couldn't help but fidget and pace as he waited impatiently to take even just once step on his beauty, the flagship of the fleet. Looking up, Jim saw his prof standing at the edge of the platform waiting to board the Enterprise as well. Coming up behind her, Jim put on his best Bones' imitation and southern drawl as he whispered into her ear, "Well darling, looks like you're a little early to the party. Don't worry, sweet thing, I'm sure we can come up with something to pass the time."

Jumping at the sudden voice and closeness, Audrey whipped around and almost clocked Jim one. Narrowly dodging the fist, Jim put his hands up laughing loudly. "Jim! What the hell do you think you're doing! I thought you were some sick pervert!"

Kneeling over in laughter, Jim wiped tears from his face. "You should have seen the look on your face. It was priceless!" Audrey rolled her eyes at him as her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Asshole," she growled.

"Is that any way to treat your captain, Commander Pike?" Jim teased.

She glared at him. "Yeah keep pushing it. See what happens then."

"See what happens then… Captain." Jim egged her on in the hopes that she would take the bait. Doing her best disapproving look, Audrey couldn't help but crack up as Jim gave her the goofiest look he could muster. "Oh prof, this is going to be the ride of a lifetime," he said as he put his arm around her shoulders and turned to look through the window pane up at the Enterprise.

Snapping them out of their moment, on the PA system they overheard the call for senior officers to board. Audrey looked at Jim and smirked. "Last one on buys drinks." Jim wiggled his eyes as usual as he leveled a mischevious look at her.

"Hey Bones!" Jim waited for her to turn to look for Leo when he sprinted off to the boarding point.

"Damn it Jim!"

2258 - July 20th 1000

Senior officers had begun taking their stations on the bridge readying themselves for the Captain. Standing in their uniforms, proudly displaying the colors of their respective divisions awaited their Captain's address. James T. Kirk, of course, would not disappoint as he sauntered confidently onto the bridge. After sitting in the Captain's chair, Jim checked in with the heads of each of department. Once the final green light was given from Scotty in Engineering, Jim took a deep breath and began his broadcast.

"Attention crew of the Enterprise. This is your captain, James T. Kirk, speaking. Today marks the first day of an ongoing mission to explore the stars. I have not met nor have spoken to every single one of you. I do not know you all. But what I do know is that we are but enterprising young men and women. And it is our duty to boldly go where no one has gone before. So, let's begin." Jim flashed Audrey a smile almost as if saying 'Thanks prof. Couldn't have done it without ya' as he crossed his legs. "Kirk out."

And with that, they began their journey into the stars.