The Federation established formal relations, and a trade deal, with the planet Zikon, home to a race of blue-skinned humanoids. Because the Starship Enterprise did studies of the planet six years earlier, they were chosen for the negotiations. They were a complete success, and the Enterprise stayed in orbit around the planet for several days.
Lt. William Riker obtained special permission to bean down to the planet alone. He went to the wooded area he first had been to, six years earlier. It was the same primeval forest as it was, six years before.
Seeing no one around, he began walking. He ended up at a lake. There, he waited a bit.
Finally, a man came by. He was an older man with white hair. He wore a white frock and was barefoot, as Zikonians often were.
"Pardon me, sir," Riker called.
The man stopped. "Yes?"
"I am first mate William Riker, of the USS Enterprise. I am looking for a girl named Lilla. Do you know her?"
"What do you want of her," he asked, suspiciously.
"I met her six years ago, when I was here taking samples. Please, if I can see her once again, I would really appreciate that. If it's not possible, I'll go and never bother you again."
The man eyed him for a bit. Finally, he said, "I will summon her. Wait here."
"Thank you."
The man left.
Riker patiently waited. When it got a little long, he sat down on a log by the lake.
"William!"
Looking up, he saw her. Her hair was shorter than it was before, and she was taller now, but otherwise she looked the same.
He got up. "Hi, Lilla!"
They embraced like old friends. Then she looked at him.
"You took my advice!"
"Growing a mustache and a beard was some of the best advice anyone has ever given to me!"
"That makes me so happy!" They hugged again. "So, why are you here, again?"
"We're negotiated a treaty with your world. Have you heard about that?"
"Oh, yes. I think that's wonderful."
"And I wanted to see you once again."
"I thought about you, too. I see you still wear those things on your feet!"
He smiled. "And do you still like to walk in mud puddles?"
She also smiled. "You remembered! I haven't done it in a while." She waded into the lake. "Join me."
"All right."
He quickly took his boots and socks off and waded into the lake. Unfortunately, he misjudged its depth and fell in! She laughed at him.
"Help me up, please?"
"Sure."
She walked over and reached her arm out, and he grabbed it. Then he jerked it, and threw her in with him!
"Now, we're even!," he said.
They swum together and hugged and kissed on the lips. She was the first to get out of it.
"I'm marred, now."
"Married?," he said sadly.
"Yes. When a girl turns 25, she must get married. It is our custom."
"Was that old man I saw your husband?"
"No, my father. My husband is away on business."
"I'm sorry. If only I came back years ago."
"I'm sorry too, William."
They got out of the water.
"Are you mad at me for getting you wet?, he asked with a smile.
"It's all right. I often go swimming in here with my clothes on. But I've got to be going, now. "
They kissed one last time.
"Thanks for the advice you gave me, six years ago."
"Thanks for taking it."
"I'll miss you, Lilla."
"I'll miss you too, William."
She left. He sadly watched her leave, then he put his boots an and called to have him beamed up.