Chapter Text
The anxiety in Una’s chest had started to dissipate by the time Chris called out that dinner was ready. The sound of his voice, warm and steady, carried across the room, grounding her in the small, borrowed comfort of their unexpected routine.
At the Captain’s call for dinner, La’an immediately wriggled out of her arms and tore toward the kitchen with a squeal, the hem of her tunic fluttering behind her. Apparently, the strawberries had not sufficiently made a dent in the little girl’s hunger. Una smiled before following, slower, her pulse finally settling into something that felt almost normal.
She felt a stab of guilt as she wandered over to the table to find that not only had Chris cooked the three of them dinner, but he’d also laid the table, three plates aligned neatly, cutlery straight, and even a folded napkin beside each of the three settings. That was usually her job, the least she could do when Chris put all the effort into planning and executing at least a third of her daily meals as of late.
Chris looked up from placing the serving bowl on the table and caught her concerned eye. He tilted his head slightly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Hey,” he said softly, “you don’t have to do everything. Tonight’s on me, just relax.”
Una blinked, caught off guard by the quiet sincerity in his tone. A warmth settled in her chest as she smiled back at her friend, a thank you conveyed without words. Chris grinned, flashing his perfect teeth, before La’an immediately demanded their attention, and before long Una had settled into her usual place across from Chris with La’an adjacent to both of them at the head of the table. She automatically reached for the serving spoon, spooning vegetables and protein onto La’an’s plate first, before Chris and then herself. As she did, Chris leaned over to help La’an cut her food into bite sized pieces so the little girl could feed herself without frustration. The three fell into an easy rhythm, a little domestic choreography that felt well rehearsed despite it only being a few weeks old.
Chris poured her a generous glass of wine, which she sipped at in between bites, whilst La’an chatted away about her day with Pelia in Engineering as Chris nodded and gently asked questions. It was absurdly domestic, a term she wouldn’t have ever used to describe any of the three of them a month ago. But things change, and lately she’d found herself dining with her Captain and a capricious four-year-old more often than not. Somehow, without discussion or ceremony, they’d slipped into their new roles like pieces that had always been meant to fit. And that was both comforting, and mildly terrifying if Una dwelled on it for more than thirty seconds.
Thankfully, Chris was there to bring her out of her stewing.
“I was thinking La’an, that after dinner, you and I should go to the gym and play some ball games.” Chris said gently.
“What about Una?” La’an’s brow furrowed and her eyes darted immediately to the older woman at her right.
“Well I was thinking it would just be me and you.” Chris replied before Una could get a word in. “Una needs some time to herself.”
“Why?”
Both Una and Chris laughed at this and La’an tilted her head, unsure why her question had elicited such a response from the adults in the room.
“Well sometimes adults need time alone to think about things.”
La’an frowned at that. “I don’t like being alone.” She said matter-of-factly.
Una smiled gently, leaning towards the younger girl so they’re eyes met. “I know sweetheart,” she said fondly, brushing her hand gently against La’an’s hair. “But sometimes being alone does help you feel better after a hard day.”
La’an mulled this over for a moment, like it was some sort of moral dilemma she needed to adjudicate on, before finally shrugging. “Okay.”
Una’s shoulder’s loosened. “Thank you,” she mouthed to Chris across the table.
How did this man always know what she needed without her needing to say a word?
After finally convincing La’an that she didn’t miss out on dessert, rather she’d eaten it before dinner instead, Chris had found himself in a brief standoff with Una over who would do the dishes. Una was adamant it should be her, given how she hadn’t helped prepare the meal or set the table. Chris tried to stare her down in disagreement, but Una’s glare had always been formidable, and so he’d caved when she’d added gently, that just being alone would help, doing a chore wasn’t going to hinder that.
He sighed, shaking his head in defeat, but made her promise she’d take the rest of the opened wine bottle back to her quarters when she was done.
A few minutes later, he and La’an were out in the corridor, the air cooler and quieter after the warmth of his quarters. La’an had automatically lifted her hand for him to take, her small fingers curling trustingly around his. She knew the rule: no walking around the ship without an adult. That one had been written after she’d escaped from Christine’s care and gone rampaging across Decks Five, Six, and Seven for nearly an hour before a very unamused Spock had intercepted her. Since then, she’d mostly abided by the “hold-an-adult’s-hand” policy, and Chris was grateful. He really didn’t want to explain to Una that he’d lost her… again.
The gym was comfortably full but not crowded by the time they arrived, with enough people that there was background chatter and the rhythmic clank of weights, but also space for them to claim a corner. Chris steered La’an toward a mat-covered area away from the equipment he was sure she would want to investigate.
“Alright,” He said, reaching into a storage bin for some of the softer balls. “How about we play some dodgeball?”
La’an’s eyes lit up immediately,
Chris grinned as she squealed with laughter, hurling the ball toward him. It bounced harmlessly off his shoulder, but he exaggerated a sidestep and groaned anyway. “You almost got me that time,” he said, rolling to the side.
La’an shrieked and chased after the ball, ready to try again.
It wasn’t long before he felt the stares from across the room. Yeah sure it wasn’t everyday you watched your Captain laugh and play around with a four year old, but he tried not to be embarrassed at the whispered amusement and surprised looks directed their way. Once, he might have worried about appearances - but these days he found he cared more about eliciting a smile and squeal of delight from the little girl beside him, than he did about what people thought as he did that.
When La’an had been accidentally de-aged by the now destroyed quantum acceleration machine, he hadn’t expected the way it would change him. Sure, he’d stepped up, like everyone else on the senior staff, to help take care of her. But because Una was technically La’an’s next of kin, and because Una never hesitated to take responsibility -especially when it came to La’an- she’d naturally become La’an’s primary caregiver. And somehow, by extension, that had made him the secondary one, a co-parent of sorts.
They’d fallen into a rhythm so easily it surprised him. La’an and Una ate most nights in his quarters. He handled bedtime half the time, reading picture books and doing the silly sound effects that made La’an giggle until she nearly fell out of bed. He and Una took turns during the day, passing her off between duty shifts, syncing schedules, rearranging staff briefings so they could both make it back to quarters before La’an got cranky and overtired. They’d learnt that one the hard way.
It was effortless in that way that only came from years of knowing someone, how they thought, how they reacted, how to anticipate what they needed before they asked. He and Una had been a team for twenty-five years, this was just one more challenge they’d face together.
Chris watched La’an chase after the ball, arm flailing and hair long ago pulled from the braid Una had put it in that morning. His chest tightened, not painfully, but rather with the quiet ache that came with realizing something you hadn’t known were missing. He’d spent most of his life believing children were incompatible with his career pathways in the Fleet. He had thought command meant sacrifice, meant not having a family like this. But as La’an shrieked with laughter as he intercepted the ball, only to gently toss it back to her, he wondered if maybe he’d been wrong. Maybe family, in whatever form it took, wasn’t so much a distraction from who he thought he had to be, but rather part of it.
And somewhere, in the middle of that thought, his mind flickered to his First Officer. She’d been remarkable in this transition, approaching caregiving with the same care, attention and determination she gave to command. But he’d also seen her softer side come out more and more. He’d heard her laugh more than usual whilst she played with La’an, and seen her smile more too, like when La’an had handed her a drawing she’d completed whilst waiting patiently in a staff briefing. It had been two stick figures with long hair, one big and one small, with a big heart between them. La’an pointed out with sticky fingers that the small one was her and the big one was Una. Chris had pretended not to notice the water brimming at his First Officer’s lashes.
“Captain!” La’ain called, snapping him out of his thoughts as she launched the ball straight at his chest with all her might.
Chris caught it one-handed, laughing. “Good throw Lieutenant,” he teased.
In retaliation she barreled straight into his shins, knocking him straight into the mat and onto his back. She giggled as she launched herself onto his chest, declaring herself the winner.
“You got me!” Chris laughed back.
An hour later, long after the laughter had died down and exhaustion had finally caught up with La’an, Chris carried the little girl down the senior staff hallway towards Una’s quarters. The little girl was fast asleep, head lolled on his shoulder with one thumb placed firmly in her mouth. He pressed the panel to alert Una of guests and waited patiently, quietly savoring the warmth of La’an in his arms.
When the door to Una’s quarters finally slid open, Chris forgot momentarily how to breathe.
Una stood there, framed by the low amber light of a thousand table lamps in her quarters, her hair damp and loose, curling slightly at the ends as it dried. She was fresh-faced, skin still flushed from the heat of the shower. The robe she wore was cinched casually at the waist, the silky fabric brushing against bare legs that caught the light when she shifted. She looked softer somehow, more relaxed in a way he hadn’t seen in far too long.
The sight of her just standing there hit him harder than he expected. Just like that, his mind flicked back years ago - long before the Enterprise, at their chance at command - back to the lecture hall at the Academy. Where he’d been a young Ensign giving guest lectures whilst he waited for his hearing, and Una had been the upstart young cadet who’d had the audacity to point out how he’d missed the regs in his re-entry case study. The damn regs. He remembered the rush of surprise, followed by admiration, for her sharpness, her confidence, and composure. And yes, for the way she’d looked at him then, clear-eyed and utterly unafraid.
Chris had been attracted to her, if not then, but later that same evening when they’d met for a drink and then dinner, as Una had explained in detail the issue in his test pilot account that he’d been previously unaware of. But she’d made it clear quickly and rather forcefully, that friendship was all she wanted, and he’d respected that without comment. He’d rather have her as a friend than lose her to a bruised ego over rejection. Over time, Chris had built walls around those feelings, pushing them to a corner of his mind that rarely breached. But now, with Una standing before him like that - unguarded, warm and beautiful - he could feel something shifting between them. The old patterns that had defined them for years no longer quite fit so neatly, A pendulum was swinging, slowly but surely, towards something new.
Chris cleared his throat, forcing his gaze away from his First Officer and back to the sleeping child in his arms before he forgot himself entirely.
“It’s late,” Una murmured, her voice softer than usual, but carrying a teasing note. “I was worried you two had gotten into mischief.”
“Don’t fret Number One,” Chris whispered with a smile, keeping his voice low, as to not wake La’an. “We did bath, teeth and storytime already. She conked out halfway through The Andorian who came to tea.”
Una’s brows lifted, amusement flickering in her eyes. She noticed then that La’an was wearing a new pair of pajamas - synthesized no doubt in the Captain’s quarters. They were pale yellow, patterned with tiny galloping horses. Of course there were horses.
“Figured you could use some more time for yourself,” He said, answering her unsaid question. “If I didn’t think she’d freak out in the morning if you weren’t there, I would’ve kept her in my quarters overnight.”
Una smiled. “I appreciate it Chris.” she said softly, before stepping aside to let her Captain carry the young girl into her quarters.
Chris crossed the threshold, careful not to jostle La’an. The lights in Una’s quarters were dim, a soft amber that made everything feel still and safe. He could smell her shampoo in the air, something faintly floral. He made his way toward the small bed across the room as Una moved ahead of him, pulling back the covers. She hovered close, her movements practiced and gentle, and together they managed to untangle the little girl’s arms from around his neck. Chris lowered La’an onto the mattress, his large hands impossibly careful, as if she were something delicate, to be treated with care.
Una tucked the sheet up to La’an’s chin and made sure her two favorite soft toys - a floppy eared dog and a tiny horse - were tucked in beside her pillow.
“Night, night, La’an,” Chris murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair lightly from her forehead.
Una’s breath caught quietly in her throat. She turned away under the pretense of adjusting the covers, not waiting to intrude on the tenderness of the moment between them. For a moment, neither of them moved, and there was only the sound of La’an’s steady breathing and the low hum of the ship, steady and constant beneath their feet. Only when the little girl stirred slightly to turn onto her side without waking, did the two adults rise from the sleeping area and towards Una’s lounge area where they could talk without disturbing her.
“Do you want to tell me what happened today?” Chris asked gently.
Una shrugged, not quite meeting his eyes, her arms wrapping tightly around herself defensively.
“I’m just feeling a bit off, that’s all, the time alone really helped, so thanks for allowing me that.”
“You haven’t had any time to yourself since this whole thing started,” he reminded her softly. “It’s been a month, Una. I figured you needed it.”
“I did. I do,” she admitted, glancing up to meet his gaze. Her voice was quiet, and for a moment, she seemed to be weighing whether to say more.
When she didn’t, Chris exhaled and tried again. “What was it that upset you earlier?”
Una closed her eyes, her voice low. “One of the officers on the station knew who I was. He made a derogatory remark about Illyrians.”
Chris’s expression darkened instantly. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve spoken to the station commander. That kind of behavior isn’t acceptable.”
“Chris,” Una whispered. “The station commander was there.” She leaned back against the bulkhead, the fatigue in her posture unmistakable. “He didn’t say anything himself…he just…didn’t do anything when it happened.”
“Were you alone?”
“Ensigns Teebee and Hui were with me.”
Chris’s jaw tightened.
“Please don’t intervene Chris,” she said quickly, laying a hand on his arm. “I know you mean well, but I’m asking you not to. These things…they’re going to happen.”
Chris frowned. “Una, you’re a Starfleet officer, a decorated one at that, and this is prejudice. Plain and simple.”
“I know.”
“You’d stand up for any of our crew if they faced discrimination, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course I would, but this is-”
“No different,” he cut in firmly. “So I’m going to do the same.”
Una’s protest died on her lips. She just looked at him for a long moment, something soft and grateful flickering in her expression.
“I’ve got your back, Number One,” Chris said quietly. “Don’t forget that.”
Her lips curved into a small smile. “I won’t.”
He nodded towards the bed where the small child they’d placed there moments ago was now spread eagled across the mattress. “Now go get some rest,”
“Aye aye, Captain.” Una retorted, which elicited a chuckle from her commanding officer. She followed him to the door, tugging her robe tighter around her as the door opened into the corridor. For a moment neither of them seemed ready to break the easy silence between them.
“Oh - are you all right to take La’an after the morning briefing?” She asked. “I have to have a little talk with Pelia.”
“Of course. Go easy on her though, I don’t want to have to figure out a new chief engineer right now.” Chris smiled easily. “And you’re okay to get her lunch while I-”
“-have the meeting with Admiral April,” she finished with a knowing smirk. “Do you need me there though?”
Chris shook his head. “You’ve got enough on your plate as it is.”
Una’s eyes narrowed. “So do you.”
“Anyway,” he said, side-stepping her unsaid question and instead taking a step towards the corridor. “That’s enough work talk, to bed with you.”
Una smiled faintly, the kind of smile reserved only for him. “I really appreciate what you’re doing, for La’an. And for me.” She said finally.
Chris’ own smile brightened, soft and warm. “Always Number One.”
He lingered for a heartbeat longer than he should have, staring at his First Officer in the doorway of her quarters, before he turned toward the corridor and his own quarters, letting the doors slide shut behind him.
In the end, and to Chris’ surprise, he didn't need to call the Starbase commander about the incident. By the time morning came, before he’d even finished his first cup of coffee, Uhura’s voice came over the comm.
“Sir, incoming transmission from the Starbase Commander. He sounds…unhappy.”
Chris raised an eyebrow, setting down his mug on the ready room desk. “Patch him through.”
The commander’s gruff voice filled the ready room immediately.
“You need to keep your crew in line, Captain Pike.”
Chris blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”
“My office received fifty-eight incident reports overnight. All logged against a Lieutenant Asher. Every one of them came from your crew. And might I remind you that only twelve Enterprise personnel boarded my station yesterday.
Chris leaned back in his chair, suppressing a smile. “Fifty-eight?”
“Forty-three separate complaints,” Hodge growled. “The other fifteen came from a Lieutenant Ortegas.”
Chris pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting a laugh. “Of course they did.”
“You’ll need to speak to your officers about appropriate conduct, Captain.”
“Appropriate conduct?” Chris repeated, tone cooling. He leant across the desk, closer to the screen “You’re asking me to discipline my crew for reporting an act of prejudice committed by one of yours?”
The other man hesitated, but Chris didn’t give him the chance to respond.
“From where I’m sitting, Commander, it sounds like you’ve got a discipline problem on your station. And if Starfleet’s policy on harassment between officers isn’t being enforced under your watch, I’ll be happy to take it up with Fleet Judiciary instead.”
“Don’t tell me how to run my station!”
Chris didn’t even flinch. “Then run it properly. Starfleet has a zero-tolerance policy for this sort of thing and I am this close to putting in a complaint against your station.”
“That won’t be necessary, Captain. Lieutenant Asher will be dealt with.”
“Good,” Chris said evenly. Then, after a beat: “He can start by providing Lieutenant Commander Chin-Riley with a written apology.”
The commander looked like he might argue, but ultimately thought better of it.
“I’ll see to it.”
“Much appreciated.” Chris gave a polite nod and ended the call.
The comm closed with a chirp, and for a long moment, Chris just sat there, the ghost of a grin tugging at his mouth.
Fifty-eight complaints. He’d have to remind Ortegas to dial it back next time. Maybe.
He was still smirking as he wandered over to the bridge. Una wasn’t supposed to be on shift for another few minutes so he relieved Spock from the Captain’s chair instead. As he sat down and Spock moved back to his usual station he muttered. “I heard you were busy last night, Lieutenant Ortegas.”
Erica didn’t turn from the helm, but he could hear the grin in her voice.
“Busy? Nah. Just a little…paperwork.”
From the science station, Spock raised an eyebrow.
“It was, in fact, a coordinated documentation initiative.” He clarified.
“Uh-huh,” Chris replied dryly. “And this documentation initiative wouldn’t happen to involve fifty-eight separate complaints filed against a Lieutenant Asher, would it?”
Erica turned, all feigned innocence.
“Fifty-eight? That many? Guess word travels fast.”
From his station, Spock added matter of factly. “Sir, you should be aware it was forty three Enterprise staff members, the remaining fifteen were from Lieutenant Ortegas herself.”
“So I’ve been told,” Chris raised an eyebrow at his helmswoman.
Erica smirked. “Hey, thoroughness is a virtue.”
Chris shook his head, suppressing a laugh. “Lieutenant Asher will be disciplined accordingly. I have the station commander’s assurance.”
“Are you sure? Because Spock’s got a real good plan for getting him reassigned to a rundown outpost on the edge of the Neutral Zone.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Chris said with a wry smile. “But I think the commander got the message. If not—well, then I’ll let you and Spock have a go.”
“Copy that, Captain,” Erica said, grinning as she turned back to her console.
“But for now, just concentrate on getting us out of here Ortegas.”
“With pleasure,” She grinned as she turned back to the helm to start the undocking process from the space station.
As the ship eased away from the starbase, Chris let his gaze drift across the bridge: Spock steady at his station, Uhura quietly focused, Ortegas humming under her breath as she guided the Enterprise free.
And then he saw her.
Una stood just outside the turbolift doors, watching the exchange with a faint knowing smirk, the kind that said she’d been listening for longer than he’d realized.
Busted.
But beneath her amusement, there was something else, an ease that hadn’t been there the night before. Shoulders relaxed, eyes clear. She looked like herself again and Chris felt like he could finally breathe.