Archive of Our Own ^beta

Una sat alone in the back corner of Ten Forward, an untouched mug of coffee in front of her, and watched La’an sitting and chatting with Jim Kirk at the bar.

An amiable voice commented, “Looks like they’re getting along well.”

She glanced up to find Captain Pike grinning down at her, holding his own cup of joe.

“It does,” she agreed, and gestured for him to sit down.

He did so, and they observed La’an and Kirk leaning in close for a moment. “They kind of remind me of us in a way,” Pike continued, jarring Una from her reverie.

“How so?”

“When you first came on board, you had walls ten feet high and just as thick. You were a tough nut to crack.” He shook his head at the memory. “It took months before you trusted me enough to call me anything but my rank.”

Una shrugged. “I had good reasons for those walls, Chris. Remember my court martial?”

Pike winced at that. “Yeah, I do. La’an’s walls seem just as formidable as yours were.”

As if on cue, La’an’s delighted laughter rang out across the lounge. Una and Pike both smiled.

“I’m glad to see hers are starting to topple,” he added.

“So am I.”

“What about you?” Pike probed gently. “How are yours doing?”

Una drew a breath, considering. “I’m getting there,” she said after a moment. “It’s hard to break old habits after hiding my true Illyrian self from everyone for so long. But I think I’ll be okay. Eventually.”

“I think so too. And so will La’an.” Pike patted Una’s hand. “With a little help from our friends,” he added, nodding at Kirk.

Una looked up into Pike’s soft, steady gaze. “Thank you for being there for me, Chris.”

“Any time, Number One.”