It was just one of those nights where Jean Luc was restless. The Enterprise had been docked at star base 168 earlier that day and the rest of the crew was enjoying a much-needed break. Jean Luc was understandably tired but something just kept him tossing and turning. Without having much to do, the captain decided to get up and walk around the ship. Thank goodness no one else was awake at that hour for Jean Luc looked like anything but a captain. He looked more like a tired man who just couldn't get any sleep. For some reason, when he stepped into the turbo lift, he ordered to go the bridge instead of anywhere else. Stepping out of the turbo lift, the bridge was dark and empty except for one familiar redhead. Kai looked up at Jean Luc as he approached. She was dressed in pale pink silk pajamas and slippers. She had her stuffed bunny sitting on her lap. Jean Luc grinned.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who can't sleep," he said. As he took a step forward, Kai stood up for him to sit in his chair.

"No, no. Sit down," he said. Kai obeyed and sat down.

"What brings you to the bridge this late at night?" she asked.

"I'm sure I could ask you the same thing, young lady," Jean Luc replied as he sat in Deanna's usual seat.

"So, this is what it's like being in the big chair?" Kai asked, diverting the subject to something else.

"How does it feel?" Kai paused for a moment.

"Lonely." Jean Luc raised an eyebrow. Her answer was not quite what he was expecting.

"Really? How so?" he asked.

"Well, this chair is not much bigger than the other chairs but what it symbolizes is what makes it lonely. You devote your time, your energy and sometimes your life for your crew. No one else has that kind of responsibility. Plus most times you're too tired to chat with your redheaded daughter," Kai replied. Jean Luc chuckled.

"Kai, I would make time for you any day. It is true though. Sometimes, all my energy goes into being the captain of this ship that I sometimes forget that I have an even bigger responsibility than that. Raising you has been my biggest responsibility and my greatest joy," he said. Kai smiled and blushed a little bit. Then she frowned and looked toward the viewer. The planet below them seemed a billion miles away to her just then.

"What's the matter?" Jean Luc asked. Kai was quiet for a moment as if she was contemplating what she wanted to say.

"I always wanted to be just like you… To go on and become a captain of a starship. But more importantly, I want to make you proud of me…" Kai stood and walked towards the viewer, still holding her stuffed bunny.

"But now, I'm not sure I'm cut out for being a captain. Seeing how unhappy it's made you, and seeing how alone you seem… I don't know if my shoulders are strong enough to bear the weight."

"Kai." Jean Luc interrupted her abruptly. He stood and approached her.

"Now there are several things I want to make perfectly clear. I am proud of being captain of this ship but that pride doesn't compare to the pride that I have in my heart of being your father. Watching you and all you've become has been the greatest pleasure. And it doesn't matter to me whether you become a captain or not. If you decide that it's not what you want to do, then I will support you until the very end." Kai looked at him and gave him a studying look.

"You promise?" Jean Luc gave her a smile.

"Cross my heart." Kai returned the smile and they both shared a long father-daughter hug. Then, they both left the bridge and headed back to their quarters hand in hand.