Hey Young Brat

[madimpossibledreamer]

Main Points:
Star Trek (the 2009!movie verse) Cambion AU
Summary: Jim manages to get Pike in trouble without even being present...
Word Count: 475
Rating: Teen, probably

          He actually does show up.  Christopher allows himself a smile and does the victory dance inside, where no one can see a Captain acting like a kid.
          Of course, the kid manages to make his life interesting faster than anyone else, but then, Jim was a prodigy.  The decision to take Jim Kirk despite the record (and the icy complaint filed by Winona Kirk) had gotten him into trouble with the Admiralty faster than anything else he’d ever done, but when he’d done it partially in defiance of the decision to ground him, that wasn’t too surprising.  The same Admirals who hated Pike’s guts wouldn’t like the kid, not when he was an action of peaceful opposition and a reminder of their least favorite Captain, Christopher Pike, all rolled into one.  He suspects one of them starts the rumor Jim got in with a very different type of prowess, but he tells others, such as Boyce, to point out that the same sort of reasoning had been used for any and all Orion candidates.
          Even relatively friendly Admirals like Marcus were questioning the decision.  “Chris, there are those saying we just let him in through nepotism.”
          “Ignoring his exam grades,” Pike grumbles quietly.
          His old friend throws his hands up.  “Don’t shoot the messenger.  I’m just relaying what’s being said.  And what will keep being said.  That’s not even considering the allegations he slept his way in.  He’s going to have a lot to do to prove himself.”
          That’s at least firm ground to stand on.  “He’ll do it,” he says with certainty, and Marcus looks surprised.
          “What, you have that much faith in him?”  He leans against the railing with Pike, staring out into the San Francisco night.
          “People said I was a gamble when I was recruited, whether or not I was related to my father,” Christopher points out, and Marcus laughs.
          “Well, that’s true.  But at least all you were was reckless and fond of alcohol.  This kid has more vices than you.”  The question makes him uncomfortable, like it’s an interrogation, and despite the fact that he trusts this man, owes him so much of who he is and where he is now…despite all that, this makes him uncomfortable, and he hides the urge to tell the truth and any fidgeting that might have occurred due to his own guilt.  If nothing else he made the promise to kid who’s not used to people keeping them, but rather more used to people invading his privacy without so much as a thank you.  The moment passes.  “Well, I’m sure he’ll appreciate having a man like you on his side,” the man continues warmly.
          “Speaking from experience, I can say with absolute certainty that that is the case,” he says with a smile, and Marcus puts his hand on Pike’s shoulder in recognition.