Author's Note: To all who follow my other story, Darkest, I will apologize and say I have writer's block. I've been working on this story when I have ideas and for any other scenarios you might want to see, PM me and I'll consider it.

I apologize that this has taken so long, real life has been kicking my butt.

I do not own Star Trek in any way, shape, or form.

Chapter Six

Although it was nothing new, Chris always enjoyed bringing his baby girl to class. Today was bound to be especially interesting as it was a new semester and a new group of students. At almost nine months, Jamie was sturdier but still intimidating for cadets with no experience with infants and toddlers. His favorite memory was his first class ever with her in the room. She had been asleep at the start and woke up about halfway in. She had proceeded to let out a "coo" and wriggle a bit, causing at least half of the class to jump while the other half had the self control to merely tense.

Chris had woken earlier than usual and found Jamie already awake even though the sky was only just beginning to lighten with the dawn. He had picked her up and stood to watch the sunrise together. Jamie had cooed and babbled at him the entire time, making Chris chuckle. He also had the suspicion that she understood what the day held. Although too young to really do anything, the baby had proven to be very mischievous. His favorite to date was fussing every time John tried to hold her. It had confused everyone until Jamie had finally given a burbling laugh and let Archer hold her.

Pulling himself from the window, Chris quickly changed and fed Jamie before setting her down so she could crawl around while he got ready. As usual, Jamie followed him around the room, occasionally chewing on some of her toys. Once finished, both with changing and packing Jamie's bag, Chris turned around to find his baby girl standing clutching part of her crib. Smiling, he moved to pick her up, idly thinking that she would probably start walking any day now.

Gathering Jamie, her bag, and his own messenger bag took only moments and the pair left the apartment with plenty of time to spare. Chris' first stop was a coffee shop en-route to the Academy, where he picked up the usual orders for himself, John, and Richard. The time prior to his first class was spent in his office with Jamie and the two Admirals, discussing the students and the latest gossip. On this day, the anticipation was tangible and John and Richard promised to find an unobtrusive spot so that they could watch the fun.

Gathering Jamie to head to the lecture hall, Chris looked down and saw a distinctly devilish gleam in the baby's eyes. Chuckling, Chris made his way across campus, nodding to a few other instructors he was acquainted with. Arriving early, Chris set Jamie up in a playpen by the lectern, giving her a few of her toys. The students began to file in as he booted up the computer and set up for class.

Turning to face the crown when the signal chimed, Chris realized something rather important. The cadets had all been occupied with something when they entered and Jamie hadn't made a sound, causing them to overlook her playpen. Glancing at the Admirals, Chris saw that they had noticed as well and were awaiting Jamie's prank.

When it did happen, Jamie couldn't have found a better time. This particular class was a tactics course and Chris had started by giving an overview and then immediately jumping right in on discussing a battle to review. He was telling them about it, drawing them in, and right at the "climax" of the story, Jamie let out a loud delighted laugh, causing a few startled screams and everyone in the room to jump.

Chris, John, and Richard burst out laughing, having had an inkling Jamie would pick right then to interrupt. She had done the same thing to them a couple of times before they had grown somewhat desensitized to her interruptions. Jamie joined in with her own giggles as the class either looked around the room for the source or stared at the three officers in bemusement.

Subsiding to chuckles, Chris leaned over and swung Jamie into his arms, settling her on his hip, drawing all the attention onto himself. A few of the more laidback students chuckled as well while the rest slumped in their seats or stared at Jamie. Jamie continued giggling in Chris' arms while he watched the class, waiting for someone to gather enough courage to ask.

Finally, one of the human students tentatively raised his hand and asked, "Sir, what's a baby doing here?" Internally smirking with no sign of it on his face, Chris replied, "This is my teaching assistant Jamie. She'll be here more often than not, so you should probably get used to her presence." Chris and the Admirals watched the baffled expressions for another minute before Chris laughed and said, "I was only serious about her being here often. This is my daughter, Jamie Pike. Unless one of her babysitters kidnaps her, she'll most likely be here."

Most of the cadets were still confused but Chris simply adjusted his grip on Jamie and continued teaching. When class ended, a number of cadets, most of them female, stopped by his desk to see Jamie. The baby would wave at them but remain silent, as she usually was around new people. Once the room had emptied, John and Richard joined them and talked for a few minutes before leaving to return to their paperwork.

Chris put Jamie back in her playpen for the few minutes it took to pack up his notes and books, while she stared at him with her fist in her mouth. Swinging Jamie back up into his arms, Chris rubbed his nose to his little girl's and said, "Let's go get lunch Jamie girl. We get to scare more cadets tomorrow." Chris walked them out of the lecture hall, Jamie giggling and her father tickled her stomach.