DISCLAIMER—

I do not own Star Trek, any of its characters, settings or ideas. I just use them. Badly.

This fic is set in a fictional alternate storyline where Wesley decided to finish Starfleet Academy rather than drop out to become one of the traveler's groupies (never understood that, myself) and Data was restored to life from digital heaven. (Curse you, Picard clone. :( )

This is an idea that is still evolving in my head, so please be kind when commenting. Thank you.

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Beyond a Generation

Chapter 1 – A Bold New Beginning

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Captain Jean-Luc Picard leaned back in his chair with a deep sigh.

"That's too many officers to lose in such a short time, number one." He glanced to the android in the chair to his right. "You're all I have left, Mr. Data."

"That is not entirely true, sir. Both Doctor and Lieutenant Commander Crusher will be rejoining us at Starbase 735 when we stop to obtain our new ship's counselor."

"Are you sure that Miss Troi- …err... Mrs. Riker's replacement will suffice number one?" Picard asked, very slight unease in his voice.

"Certainly, sir. Starfleet would send its flagship only the best."

"If the best were available…"

"I am sure the best would have been made available, sir."

Picard sat quietly for a moment, staring at Data.

"Is something the matter, sir?" Data asked, trying to look relaxed. It pleased him more than he thought it probably should to try to look human.

"I was just thinking about the fact that we will once more have Lieutenant Commander Crusher aboard this vessel. We all owe him a great deal, especially me, Mr. Data. If he hadn't taken the initiative and studied Dr. Soong's notes as extensively as he had…" Picard trailed off and stared absently at the viewscreen, warp 5 stars flashing before his eyes.

"It is indeed amazing that he solved the various puzzles of recreating the positronic brain, and even more so that he was able to restore me to my original functionality,... but I always knew he had it in him." Data said simply, leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head.

Picard couldn't help but smile at his companion's seeming humanity. "Of course, number one."

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Remia Char always found herself in the most absurd situations. It wasn't as though she was trying, trouble seemed drawn to her; perhaps it was her mysterious and unexplained psychic abilities; perhaps it was her even more mysterious history.

Today found her sitting at a secluded table with Lieutenant Commander Wesley Crusher, who could not seem to keep his eyes, or his thoughts off of her.

Wesley slid his hand over hers. "We're going to be working together a lot; we really should get to know each other…" He leaned forward over the table slightly, his eyes locked onto hers.

"Of course, sir. But won't you be spending the most of your time down in Engineering?" She asked, slipping her hand quickly out from under his and onto her lap.

Wesley laughed. "You don't know much about how things work on the Enterprise, do you?"

"What do you mean?" She asked, slightly insulted by his tone. She attempted to reach out and feel his underlying emotions and thoughts.

"I suppose you could say that Starfleet likes to keep Captain Picard on his toes. The Enterprise is Starfleet's flagship. I don't think a single day goes by that you don't see at least a yellow alert… It makes everything else seem so… lacking." Wesley glanced around the room, his eyes falling on the lone occupant of a table pressed against the far wall. "I almost feel bad for them."

"Excuse me?" Remia looked up suddenly.

"These people. They will probably be stranded on this starbase forever. I don't know what I would do with myself if I wasn't out there exploring and discovering new life-forms…"

"What if they enjoy being 'stranded' out here?" Remia asked in amusement, closing her eyes for a moment. "Most of them give off an aura of happiness. I really think your job would be too much for them." She said with a smile.

"It probably would." Wesley laughed. "We had better find Doctor Crusher and head to the transporter room soon, Captain Picard has no patience… and he's very strict with new officers about being on time." He stood up and walked around the table, extending her his arm.

"Here goes nothing." She sighed, placing her hand on his arm as she stood.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine. Captain Picard seldom eats his ship counselors." Wesley said with a laugh as he led her out of the dining room.

Remia gave him a half-hearted smile, keeping silent as they walked through the corridors towards the nearest turbolift, her mind searching for answers she didn't have. She found herself inexplicably nervous about meeting the Captain. She found herself even more nervous about the prospect of serving the entire crew of the Enterprise.

Would they accept her? Would they look right through her at every turn? She shook the negative thoughts from her head, deciding to focus on the task at hand.

"Wesley." She paused, looking up at him as they continued on their route. He looked back at her, seeming lost once he looked into her eyes. She looked forward again, avoiding the questions burning in his gaze.

"I can't help but notice that we are also picking up a Dr. Crusher. Are you by any chance related?"

He laughed again. "I don't think it has anything to do with chance. She's my mother."

"Oh. I'm sorry." She caught herself and laughed. "I meant I'm sorry that I didn't know. Not that she's your mother." She looked up at him again, trying not to laugh until she saw a smile crack his face.

"It's alright, it's not really common knowledge. Unless she's around. Then everyone not only knows, they also know every embarrassing childhood story she could dig up." He sighed. "But, it's good to have her around."

"You're lucky, you know. You have a famous parent and you get to spent time with her." She spotted their destination as they rounded a corner.

"I guess I never thought of it that way." Wesley said, turning them into the nearest turbolift. "Temporary Officer's quarters." Wesley said as the lift's doors slid shut with a small hiss.

"Have you served with her before?" Remia asked, trying to bridge the rapidly growing silent gap.

Wesley laughed again, genuine amusement spreading across his face. "Oh come on, you've read her personnel file, and I know you've read mine too. Ask me something you really want to know." He turned towards her, his expression somewhat impatient.

"Okay then… what is… your favorite color?" She asked with an impish grin.

He eyed her in curiosity. "That's easy. Red." He replied, giving her a smirk.

"Let me guess." She turned towards him "Red because it's the color of the Captain and senior officer's uniforms?" The lift slowed to a smooth stop. Wesley's smirk broke into a full smile.

The doors slid apart, catching her attention. "No, red because of apples. Just can't get enough of them." He winked at her, offering her his arm once again.

"Maybe I should re-read your personnel file." She took his arm, allowing him to lead her off down the hall and around the corner.

They stopped in front of room 5307t. Wesley reached up and pressed the intercom button next to the door. "Hey, mom, It's Wes." He looked at Remia. "Oh, and I brought the new ship counselor to meet you." He took his finger off the button and shrugged. The panel beeped and the door slid open.

Remia followed Wesley into the room. She looked around the room with distaste, remembering that had such a bland room of her own to look forward to on the ship. She hoped she had ample opportunity to decorate her quarters as she saw fit.

"Hey, Wes, It's good to see you again." Remia broke out of her thoughts and looked back towards Wesley, who was hugging his mother. Remia walked over to them.

"Doctor Beverly Crusher." She held her hand out to Remia, who took it and gave it a firm shake.

"Remia. Remia Char." She said, her eyes going distant for a moment, smile still in place.

"Char?" Dr. Crusher asked, crossing her arms. "Any chance that you're related to Admiral Char?"

Remia gave her best fake smile. "No chance about it. He... was… my father." She attempted to read Wesley's emotions, but got numbing steel. She had, indeed read his personnel file, and knew the he had lost his father on active duty as well. She wondered if she would face mental barriers from him like that often. She detested the feeling it gave her to be shut out.

"I thought so, you have his commanding presence." Dr. Crusher said, smiling at Remia. "He was a wonderful Admiral, a real inspiration to Starfleet."

"I studied him in the Academy. He did some amazing things. You must be proud." Wesley said, moving closer to his mother, and the door.

"Oh, yeah. I am." Remia said, forcing another smile. She didn't want to recall the few memories she had of her father.

"Are you all ready to go, mom?" Wesley asked, moving in front of the door. The door slid open.

"Yes, I'm ready. Shall we?" Dr. Crusher smiled at Remia, walking out the door. Remia moved closer to the door, watching Dr. Crusher as she rounded the corner to the turbolifts.

Wesley pressed himself into the doorway as soon as his mother was out of sight.

"Do you have anything planned for tonight?" She looked up into his eyes, questioning. He gave her what was quickly becoming his trademark devilish grin.

She found herself wanting to wipe it off his face… although not with her hand. She shook the thought from her head.

"Why?" She asked him, attempting to rebuild her defenses.

"I thought you might want some help going over my personnel file again. I just so happen to have some inside information that might help you out…"

"I don't see what it could hurt. Maybe we'll have to talk over some apple pie."

"Or… chocolate mousse."

"Maybe. I do have a dinner appointment already tonight-"

He cut her off. "Dinner, already? Come on, who's more important than me?" He asked, trying to lighten the disappointment in his voice with a joke.

"The captain himself sent me an invitation. That's something I can't say no to." She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Your mother is waiting for us."

"Oh, right." Wesley said. "So, 10:30 then? I happen to know that the Captain ends his dinners as early as he politely can."

She laughed. "Okay, but not too late." She moved towards him and he moved back out of her way.

"You won't regret it. You might learn something interesting about me." He said, offering her his arm once more.

"Oh, believe me, I already have." She returned his devilish grin as she took his arm. "Let's get to the turbolift before your mother thinks you've gotten lost." Remia said, leading him out the door.