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Times Change and We With Time

Part 1 | ? |

First of all let me say, I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm going to roll with my crazy plot bunny. Also as a warning, my first foray into writing any kind of Star Trek, though I've watched a majority of all franchises.

This is a Christopher Pike / Reader story.

Lots of set up in this chapter, so bare with me.

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Q always drives home the point that time, is in fact, non-linear. So what happens when you realize that maybe a person's future, lies in the past?

'Times change and we change with them' - Latin Proverb

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Chapter One: So, That...Happened

Disclaimer | I am taking several liberties with Star Trek lore in order to mold the telling of this story. Mainly, Spock's disappearance when he went on the rescue mission to stop the destruction of Romulus's star system. We're going to negate the Kelvin timeline here and assume Spock surfaced and has been focusing on continued re-settling of the remaining Romulan inhabitants on Vashti.

OOOOO

Stardate: 2402.3

OOOOO

The Enterprise-G was quite a formidable ship. Previously known as the USS Titan, she was rechristened after the events of near Borg annihilation just a few short years ago.

You were walking back to your quarters, smiling and nodding at several familiar faces on the way.

Having served in an unofficial capacity on the Enterprise-E, you knew there was no other feeling in the world than being on a starship.

And for once, you were grateful for the lull in activity. Not racing against all odds to save the galaxy, worrying about the crew and their safety. As thrilling as that may be for some, it's nice to get back to what Star Fleet was all about, exploring.

Technically, you were never enlisted in Star Fleet. But here you were, having spent a majority of your life with them, all whom you've grown to call family. Protecting them fiercely.

With a genius mind that rivaled most all humans, you reveled in problem solving, tackling the most enigmatic challenges.

However, this came at a great personal cost. There have been many long sleepless nights, you just wished you were normal.

They say humanity has bettered themselves over the centuries. And yes, you suppose that may be true, but there are still those out there who wish to do harm. You learned that early on in life. Orphaned at such a young age, your family sacrificed their lives to protect you. Your intelligence sparked interest in parties who would use your mind to create chaos and destruction. You had to run constantly, never staying in one city too long on Earth. Though, you found the state of Montana to be quite lovely. You thought, if ever you were to retire one day, it would be there.

OOOOO

Okay, so when you mentioned you "served" on the USS Enterprise, it may have been an exaggeration. You were 10 and snuck aboard before leaving space port. The only reason you were allowed to stay was because of one, Beverly Crusher. You like to think of her as the adoptive mom you never had.

But like everyone else close in your life, she had disappeared too. That is until she resurface with her son Jack. You weren't even angry she up and poofed out of existence for 20 years. There was only hurt and sadness. You were used to people abandoning you.

So after crying and lots of hugging, of course you understood, but the loss was still palpable over those two decades.

It's funny, during your time on the Enterprise-E, once you were old enough, you essentially became a Consultant to the Captain, which is what Jack's position on this ship currently is.

That kid. What a handful. And a shameless flirt, who does not seem to care that you are nearly a decade and a half older than he is. You mostly roll your eyes at him, but occasionally, he'll get a good laugh out of you.

Over the last 20 years or so since leaving the Enterprise-E in 2379, you had bounced around from ship to ship, consulting on various odd ball requests. Still never commissioned, but Star Fleet also understood why there was a reason to keep a low profile. Those terrorists that hunted you as a child, were still out there searching for you. So, keeping your name off any official databases was pretty handy.

Until - it wasn't.

OOOOO

Your communicator beeped just as you arrived at the front door to your quarters. Entering, you tap the communicator on your jacket.

"Go ahead."

A loud sigh can be heard over the comm line, "You ready to go? We're at the transporter pad, waiting to beam down."

"Hold your horses. I just need to grab my backpack and PADD Commander Musiker."

You may have responded a bit cheekily, but you don't often use your honorary rank.

"Sorry, ma'am."

Shaking your head and laughing, you gather the remaining items stuffing them in your backpack, "Raffi, just head down to the surface with the away team, I'll follow suit in a couple minutes."

"I can wait," a very distinct male voice piped in.

"Commander, I am definitely ordering you to take Ensign Crusher planet side, now."

You could hear the abrupt rounds of laughter floating through the comm system.

"Copy that. We're heading down."

Yeah. Today was going to be a good day.

OOOOO

Away missions aren't generally something you venture out on too often. Just due to the nature of your position in Star Fleet, but you made a special request for this one.

A class M planet in the Beta Quadrant had been producing unusual anomalies since the Romulus sun went supernova. The readings were sparce and intermittent from the probe recently sent. So, to get a better understanding, command sent the Enterprise out to get more concrete findings. The data was so mystifying it even piqued Ambassador Spock's interest as well. He planned to meet you down on the planet near one of the anomalies.

But still, something seemed, off.

You beamed down within a reasonable amount of time from your last communication with Raffi. The team appeared to be setting up camp and already taking readings of the area, though you aren't sure why everyone is peering over the edge of a cliff.

Quietly approaching, you clear your throat from a fair distance behind the team, making your presence known.

Jack spins around.

"There she is. You've got to take a look at this."

He really does act like a happy golden retriever sometimes, and it is ridiculously infectious.

"Hi friends. What have we got?" You wave at everyone before leaning your head over the edge of the barren cliff. The area reminded you of the Grand Canyon. "Oh, uh - now that is trippy," your eyebrows nearly stretch all the way up to your hairline in surprise.

You weren't really sure what you were looking at. A flattened dark swirling mass of....distorting matter? You pull your backpack from around you and grab your tricorder. Giddy with excitement you attempt to get as close to the edge as possible.

"Easy there tiger, let's not fall off. We all know how clumsy you are," Raffi's voice carries nearby.

You huffed annoyed, but bite back any remarks, because - okay, you were a tad clumsy. But mostly it's because you're occupied with your head in a book or data and randomly bump into things as you walk.

Mumbling to yourself, "Seriously, what is this thing?"

"That is a temporal rift."

Your head snaps up, turning towards the newcomer.

"Spock!"

Smiling you, make your way over to greet one of your closest friends. It still shocks the hell out of you, to think you became friends with one of Star Fleet's most highly decorated.

You don't see each other very often in person anymore, but you both have a bi-monthly communication, catching up on what's going on in each other's lives. But honestly, you just enjoy listening to Spock reminisce about serving on the Enterprise. Lately, he had been sharing more and more stories about Captain Christopher Pike. And they were so good.

"You still accept hugs from friends?" Stopping short, you hold out your arms tentatively.

You know hugs aren't always his thing, but you've managed to wrangle one or two out him in the past.

"Perhaps not in front of the away team, Fleet Admiral."

Out of your peripheral, you see the team trying to look inconspicuous, as if they aren't eavesdropping on your conversation.

Sighing you drop your arms and walk closer to Spock. You jut your head over to a grouping of rocks a few meters from your friends.

"Ambassador Spock and I are going to have a quick chat. We won't go far."

You stuff your hands into pockets and gesture for him to follow.

"You know Spock, you don't have to call me Fleet Admiral."

Having fallen in step with you, his hands are steepled in front of him, "It is your rank, is it not?"

"Yes, but - it's just an honorary rank. And we're friends, you can call me by my name, you know?"

You peer up at him, knowingly.

"Indeed I do."

Chuckling to yourself, you hoist yourself onto one of the large boulders nearby.

"Okay. Time for the important questions. Why are you really here? As happy as I am to see you, this doesn't seem like something you would waste your energy on," you watch Spock stand next to you as he peers out over the vast canyon.

"You have always been incredibly perceptive for a human. You also carry with you an innate compassion for others and a will to never give up. So logic dictates, you would likely continue questioning my motives until I bare them to you."

"You would be correct," eyebrow raising in interest.

You heard a soft chuckle from the Vulcan. Spock dipped his head slightly before facing you once more.

"You remind me very much of a Captain I once served under."

Your eyeballs grew comically wide.

"What?" You drag out slowly. Narrowing your eyes, you continue "I'm assuming you aren't referring to James Kirk?"

"I am not. You may be centuries apart, but many of the endearing qualities I see in you are also the same ones reflected in Christopher Pike." Spock paused briefly, sighing quietly before continuing, "Had you have met, I believe you both would have found great value in one another."

Your jaw drops open slightly in shock.

Blinking rapidly, your brain is trying to discern what exactly Spock is implying. Great value in one another?

"Uh - thank you?" You say confusingly. Then a thought comes to mind and you perk up, "Is this why you keep telling me stories about him?"

"It is one reason, but not the only one."

You tilt your head to the side, "I'm not following. What other reason could there be?"

"Today will be the last day I see you, as I am now," Spock answers.

"That isn't exactly the response, I was hoping for. Why is today the last day I see you? Are you not well?" Alarm creeps into your voice, sounding a growing concern for your friend.

"You will understand in due time."

Standing, you rubbed a hand over your face in frustration.

"Could you not be so cryptic in your Vulcan-y ways?"

You were about to start in again, but a communicator went off.

It wasn't yours.

"Spock here," he taps on his badge.

"Ship's ready sir, just let us know when you're ready to beam back aboard," an officer's voice filtered through.

"Momentarily, Spock out."

"So, you aren't here for the mission," you reply, crossing your arms in front.

"No. I am not."

"Then why?"

"I came to say goodbye to an old friend," Spock replies softly.

Looking up at him, you notice now how somber his eyes are.

"I still don't understand."

Bobbing his head, Spock gives a look of contemplation, "I know.”

Suddenly, you're pulled into a hug.

You were grateful for the comfort, but terribly concerned. Spock normally doesn't initiate hugs, and this conversation has been very confounding to say the least.

But you trust Spock. If something were seriously amiss, he would tell you, wouldn't he?

Pulling back, you give him a fond questioning look.

Spock raised his hand to the Vulcan salute, "It has been the one of the greatest privileges of my life to have known you. You shall and always will be my friend."

"I - yes, Spock, same to you, as well," you were stumbling over yourself, stunned by his action and words.

"Live long and prosper," Spock fondly says, a small smile gracing his features.

You see him tap on his comm badge, "One to beam up, energize."

"Wha - ?"

Before you have time to responds, he's gone from your sight.

Why that sneaky Vulcan! How could just up and leave like that? Next communication session you plan on giving him an earful.

OOOOO

You make your way back over to the away team, dusting off your jeans as you walk. Spinning around slowly, you check to make sure you got all the sand off you. You weren't a true field commissioned Star Fleet officer, so you tend to only wear your uniform when you absolutely have to.

"What was all that about?" Jack says, striding up to you.

"Your guess is as good as mine," you reply dazed.

"So, Ambassador Spock is not staying for the readouts, I take it?" Raffi sarcastically chimes in.

You look over and just shake your head exasperated.

"Vulcans, what are ya going to do?" You throw your hands up in the air.

You noticed other members of the crew had separated out in pairs to collect data. The plan was to only spend one day on the planet and then return the findings to Star Fleet command, with a recommendation on what to do about the anomalies and if they posed a danger to inhabitants.

Reaching for your tricorder again, you stopped short when you heard a shuffling from a section of the area North that hadn't been scouted.

"Commander do you hear that?"

Raffi straightened up, looking around. She holds up her hand, "Everyone quiet."

The shuffling noise was becoming more prominent, closer.

"Phasers out," the Commander replied.

Funny thing. You didn't have one on you. You should really be better prepared.

Craning your neck, you try to see if there's any danger, but there are boulders everywhere.

Raffi was starting to run security protocols with the crew when you saw them.

"Commander, left at 2 o'clock," you shout.

A small group of what looks to be raiders are making their way forward to advance on the team.

And they have weapons. Wonderful.

"Take cover," Jack shouted, grabbing you and darting for the nearest section of boulders to crouch down behind.

You hear a phaser go off and shouting from members of the away team, calling out positions.

Well, this turned ugly fast, you think.

You tighten the backpack strap across your chest in a nervous gesture.

Knowing you don't have a weapon to help your team, you hit your comm badge, "Enterprise, status - we are under fire. Repeat, we are under fire. Request immediate beam up."

No response.

You tap your badge again. Nothing.

Enemy fires grazes the top of the rock you're hiding next to. You look around and see the young Crusher, side stepping his way around to the outer rim - firing every so often, but you can hear the weapons discharging from either side at increased rates. It's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured.

Raffi is several feet in front of you around another set of rocks, taking cover and giving orders while keeping her own attackers at bay.

Peering up from over the boulder you're at, you notice a pair of raiders closing in on Jack, who has now isolated himself near the edge of the cliff. You never thought he was extremely reckless, but his mother would be furious if anything happened to him.

Distracted by another raider to his right, you see the ensign focus and hit his target, but he's failed to see the other two closing in on him.

You see one of the two fractioned raiders raise their weapon, ready to fire.

Without hesitation, you sprint from your hiding place and tackle Jack to the ground barely missing the shot fired.

"Are you insane Crusher?" You yell.

"I could say the same thing about you!"

"Can we not do this right now?"

More weapons discharge over the next several minutes. The exchange finally stops after seeing another attacker go down. The Commander is calling out for a perimeter sweep and ordering a Lieutenant to find a way to get in contact with the Enterprise.

Jack stands up and offers you a hand once the all clear is given.

"Thanks for that," he replied bashfully, gesturing to the area where he was saved.

Both of you head start to head over to Commander Musiker, walking along the cliff edge.

"Yeah, well your mother would murder me if something happened -"

Cutting off your snarky reply, you're thrown back by the force of something piercing your shoulder. You cry out in pain, stumbling backwards.

Okay, maybe this wasn't as great a day as you imagined.

Vaguely, you can hear both Raffi and Jack shouting, but your ears are ringing. You reach you towards Crusher with your good arm, but you lose your footing and the next thing you know you're falling in darkness.

OOOOO

#christopher pike/reader #captain christopher pike #mr spock #strange new worlds #who knows what this will be #Rated T?#christopher pike #aka captain perfect hair #brief mentions of uss enterprises #star trek strange new worlds #st snw #star trek picard

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