AN: Yes, I know. Two chapters in one day but I updated it now because I don't know when I will be able to update again.

In no time, house was blaring with old rock music kids were so fond of, something they picked up from Jaime. She was working on their lunch, it was nothing special since she was in charge of dinner as well. And knowing Matt is coming over, meant she's gonna make yet another delicious meal. She was barefoot as she managed kitchen full of teenagers with ease. It made her feel alive in a way when she had someone to care for. Her hair was gathered by simple hair clip, the hoses of her jeans were rolled to her knees and she had a kitchen clout over her left shoulder as she carefully took out what she needed to make simple pasta Bolognese for lunch. The moment she set everything on the cooking surface, the knock on the door interrupted her from filling the deep pot with water for the pasta.

"It's open." She answered and lowered the volume slightly as Bon Jovi's song 'Wanted Dead or Alive' blared through the speakers.

She wasn't surprised at all to see Bones coming in, his usual grumpy self.

"How quaint for you." He commented when the chorus sounded, with Jaime clearly enjoying it to the fullest.

"Bones, how are you? Got some decent sleep?" she asked as she beckoned him to come in the kitchen.

Well, he knew she was good with kids, something that still had to be answered how, he was surprised to see around ten teenagers working around the house, cleaning, fixing or just sitting and chatting, clearly enjoying Jaime's presence and obviously her cooking.

"I'm good, just came by to see how you're doing. What did the board say?" he asked as he leaned on counter and watched her put the pot to boil water she previously flavored with oil and salt.

"Don't know until tomorrow. And I'm doing great, had a great night. I got some real sleep." Jaime said as she left a big bowl with fresh pasta waiting to be cooked.

"And I came to tell you Pike is doing just fine and should be out of therapy in few weeks. Apparently, the treatment I gave him worked like a charm." Bones said.

"That's great. Are you going to see Jo?" she asked as she pulled a bowl full of washed mushrooms, bell peppers and tomatoes from the sink.

"As a matter of fact; I am. I just thought you should hear about Pike from me. You enjoy your meal." He said with smile and disappeared before she could say anything else.

"Need help?" Julie came suddenly to kitchen and before getting an answer, she pulled another knife from the drawer and took a bell pepper from the bowl, slicing it on the slicing board.

Jaime enjoyed spending her time like this, listening to the kids laughing and singing whilst working their chores. It didn't take her long to prepare the meal for ten hungry teenagers. The boys immediately jumped to wash the dishes once they were all done. After lunch, they all dispersed to their homes, hitting the afternoon nap or whatever they did after lunch. It was summer so they had no school. Dean was all too happy to be alone with Jaime, updating her on all she has missed. Ever since he was three, he knew no other mother figure than Jaime. To outsider that would be weird but it was 12 year old Jaime who saved him from sharing his parents' fate on Tarsus IV. No one but chosen few knew that, and he guessed Jaime didn't tell anyone about Tarsus IV on Academy, not even her best friend. Some things should stay in past. The soft chime of the clock alerted them that it was almost eight in the evening and Dean had a basketball match in half an hour.

"Are you coming to the game?" Dean asked as he got his stuff for the game.

"I have lot of paperwork to do." She replied as she tapped her finger on the PADD.

"You have two free days for that." Dean said stubbornly and crossed his arms at the chest.

"Okay, okay….. Don't shoot me, I'm going." Jaime said with mock annoyance and threw the PADD back on the desk.

"You are pardoned this time." The boy grinned and waited patiently for Jaime to take her jacket and follow him to the local gym where they always had their Friday's matches.

She was always grateful that the people of the town never really meddled in the private lives of each other so it was easy for her to come to the game and enjoy it without being interrupted by series of needless question. Sure, she spotted several people eyeing her curiously whiles she was sitting among the crowd but she was with Chad's parents so it wasn't a big deal. Just as she thought, the two free days she had went by too quickly for her taste. She spent her time with Dean or writing various reports Starfleet asked her to. Really, the ton of paperwork they asked for was ridiculous.

"Time is now o-eight hundred hours." The computer woke her up from her sleep.

In these two days at home she had more sleep than most of the return home. After a quick shower and breakfast, she hurried to the Academy which she found too empty for her taste. Yet again she had to remind herself that half of the cadets was gone since her brain still tried to write all down to a bad dream. She had a feeling that there were many people who felt that way. Seeing as it was soon nine, she had no time for further contemplation on it and she hurried down the corridor. The guard opened the door and let her in, where she yet again found herself opposite to fifteen admirals. The confidence the young woman was oozing was probably annoying several admirals in presence as she noticed them eyeing her. Anyone else, who had any drop of common sense would be terrified by being given discipline measure by full admiral committee. But this was Jaime Kirk and the normal did not apply to her.

"Cadet Kirk. Do you have anything else to say before we go on?" admiral Barnett asked her.

"No." she said shortly, sarcasm dripping in her voice.

"Very well." Barnett said and eyed her for a moment before he continued.

"In any other case, a cadet with series of transgressions like yours would have been reassigned and put on academic probation. But, you made yourself a special case, Kirk." He said but her face remained completely blank, which unnerved everyone in the hall as the usually passionate cadet made no move or sound.

"I can't believe I am actually saying this but after your final exams you are to serve on board the Enterprise." He said and hoped for some sort of reaction but again got none.

"As its captain." Barnett said and Jaime eyed him skeptically.

"Pardon?" was all that left her lips.

She not only seemed surprised but she thought board is messing with her.

"Yes, that is something I am asking myself every minute for the last two days. You are reckless, brash and completely disobedient when it comes to following orders of your superiors. However, large part of this board is convinced you are probably on track of something great. Rarely do we see someone with fire like yours. It would be foolish of us to smoother your talent. And if we punished you in any way, people would most likely crucify us. Starting with your graduation day, you are the captain of USS Enterprise. But you will have to be very careful though you know that by now since the eyes of this planet will be all turned to you. I certainly don't envy you on that position. Still, I guess as a hero, you will have to get used to it. I suggest you use this time until your graduation to think about your senior staff. And think about it very good." Barnett finished with small smile.

Finally, Jaime shifted a bit and sighed.

"Yes, sir." She said, freely allowing disrespectful undertone to bounce in the answer.

Barnett just shrugged to that and dismissed her, shaking his head as he watched her hurry out of the hall.