The Captain's Jack of Hearts

The Funeral

I can still remember the day Starfleet told me. "Does a Miss Jacqueline Renee Kelly-Pike live here?" The man at the door asked my aunt Sadie. "Yes she does. What is this about?" my aunt asked not knowing our worst fears had come true. I walked to the door upon hearing my name. "I'm sorry to inform you that her mother, Lieutenant Commander Samantha Jean Kelly, has died." At the sound of those words my world fell apart and I fell to my knees sobbing. My mother's dead. How could this have happened? I just saw her last month for my birthday. There must have been a mistake at Starfleet. As my mind raced with those thoughts and questions Aunt Sadie asked the question that I never would have asked, "Has Captain Pike been informed?" "No ma'am. He isn't listed as a contact. Would you like him to be informed?" "Please." "Yes ma'am. My thoughts are with you and your family. Good day." Through my tears I could see Aunt Sadie give him a curt nod. After shutting the door she held me as we cried together.

Two weeks later was the funeral. I had no tears left for my mother, only resentment toward my father. My father was never around. As a Starfleet captain he was almost always away on missions in space. For holidays I would get cards in the mail with money as opposed to mother, who was also an officer of Starfleet. Mom always tried to be there for major holidays. Even if it was only for the one day. If she couldn't be there she would always get me a handpicked present. For the funeral I was asked to say a few words. As I stood at the podium I scanned the crowd of people. I saw Aunt Sadie, admirals, captains, and many other Starfleet officers. And lastly I saw my father. Captain Christopher Pike. I started my speech as such, "I never thought that at 15 I would be doing this. Talking about my mother and telling you all what she was like to me is tough. Ever since I was 7, and my parents divorced. I never saw either of my parents. Aunt Sadie used to always tell me 'They're trying to make the universe a better place.' I never really understood what she meant. I just knew that my parents weren't ever there. But, even when in space, mom never missed a holiday. She always sent Aunt Sadie and I special presents when she couldn't be home. And if I could only pick one thing to remember about my mother for the rest of my life it would be those handpicked holiday gifts." After finishing I went back to my seat next to Aunt Sadie. She wrapped her arms around me and gave a gentle squeeze. After the service was over we took mom's ashes home and people came over to have food and reminisce. I tried to stay out of the way by sitting in Mom's favorite room, the sunroom with piano. I just looked out the window and searching for some sign that I'd be okay. I was completely oblivious to the fact that my father had walked in and had sat down next to me. It wasn't until he spoke that I noticed he was there. "You know, we never meant for you to feel alone in the world." Startled by his sudden presense I looked at him. "I never felt alone. I always had Aunt Sadie and Mom. I just want to know why you are never there." Tears started to form in my eyes. He sighed. "After the divorce your mother and I thought it would be best for you to be raised on Earth and not in a Starship. Neither of us wanted to be put in a position where you would be there and one of us would have to give up our lives in order to save you and the ship." "Like Jim's father did on the USS Kelvin?" I asked remembering my childhood friend. Dad smiled "exactly like that." I quickly gave Dad a hug. "I'm sorry for never giving you a chance." "Don't worry about it Jaxie-bear." He then told me that he was going to be away for a while but not to worry.

After having that talk with my dad everything seemed to be falling into place. I was the top of my class well on my way to graduating early. Dad and I had been talking everyday and I told him about my plans of joining Starfleet. He beyond overjoyed that I wanted to join but thought I should wait a few years after graduating to join. He suggested that I instead get a job as assistant while waiting. I agreed under the circumstances that no one was to know that I was his daughter. And thus starts my adventures with Starfleet.

This is my first time writing a Star Trek fanfiction. Please let me know your opinions, advice, and any errors you might have/see. Also let me know if you want to hear more.