Chapter 2

Aria spent the next few hours unpacking her bags and the few boxes that she had sent ahead. She found her musical instruments, a flute, a tin whistle, a portable piano and a large file that held thousands of pieces of music. As she carefully unpacked each one, Aria placed them next to a spare chair in front of her simple music stand near the window. The next thing that was unpacked was her small collection of antique leather bound books. They were placed on the top shelf of a bookcase in her bedroom.

As she was beginning to hang up some of her clothes, a reminder went off that alerted her of her first appointments in her new assignment. The first was with Commander Troi, the ship's councilor who was the acting protocol officer. Next was with the resident bartender and chief of the galley so she could be brought up to date with any upcoming events so she could take over the coordination of them. There wasn't a thing that had been set up, but she was informed that the Enterprise had her fifth anniversary. She realized that this was going to be a big deal and she had come to the ship just in time. There were several smaller meetings with department heads, obtaining their schedules of events and their requirements that they had for her. Aria's last appointment was with the Captain and the First Officer. She was a bit nervous meeting her new captain because he was her boss, but more importantly, he was the legendary Captain Jean Luc Picard, a man she had read about while she was at the academy and who had crept into her dreams at night over the years.

With her data recorder in hand, she stood outside the Captain's ready room and rang the chime.

"Come," she heard for the other side of the door.

Aria took a breath and stepped into the room. Inside, she saw Commander Riker seated next to the desk. Behind the clear glass desk was the one and only Captain Picard. She had seen his photograph before and knew he was handsome, but meeting him in real life made her heart race and palms sweat. Even through his uniform she could tell he was in excellent physical condition. It wasn't the power he held in his hand that turned her on; it was something else about him. She had to quickly push her thoughts about him out of her head and focus on the meeting.

"Lieutenant Swenson reporting as ordered, sir," she said as she stood at attention in front of the Captain's desk.

"At ease, Lieutenant," her commanding officer said as he rose to meet her and extended his hand towards her. They shook hands; his handshake was firm and steady and it sent shivers down her spine. "Welcome to the Enterprise."

"Thank you, sir," was all she could reply as he motioned for her sit in one of the chairs on the other side of his desk.

As she sat down the captain began, "Well, Lieutenant Swenson. I have read your personnel file and honestly I have to say I am impressed with what I have seen. You speak most of the earth languages, not to mention Romulan, Vulcan, Kilingon, Cardasian and Ferengi. I must ask, why Ferengi?"

"Sir, I have found that is beneficial to know what the Ferengi are saying in their native tongue. I also can become conversational in most other languages in thirty hours if needed."

"Good, good. Now, I would not normally appoint a Lieutenant to such an important position, but we have been impressed with your academic record, your work on Starbase 12 and Captain Zolican's glowing recommendation. We are willing to take a chance on you. Keep in mind, Lieutenant, we can not afford a single slip especially with the heightened activity in the areas bordering Romulan territory."

"Sir, you don't have to worry. I will not let you or the Federation down. You or any of the senior officers give me an assignment and you can consider it done. I am here to serve, sir," she said as she lowered her eyes a bit, almost in a bow.

"Swenson, I am glad you feel so confident." He paused as he got up and began to pace. "I like that," he said with a grin. "I am sure you have met with or planning to meet most of the departments that are closely associated with your position, but I would like you to meet with all the department heads and chiefs. Keep my people happy and keep the diplomats dazzled. I assume that you are aware of the ship's anniversary?"

"Yes, sir."

"I want weekly status reports from you for both myself and Commander Riker. If there is something you need or run into a problem, let Riker know right away." He sat back down behind his desk.

"Yes, sir," she replied enthusiastically. "Sir, I would like to get a jump start on the work I have ahead of me that's if there isn't anything else you would like to discuss."

"Very good, Lieutenant. That is all, dismissed."

"Thank you, sir," she said as she stood up. The two men rose as she got up and left the office. Her heart was racing. She had just promised her Captain a lot and she hoped she was up to the new challenges.

Back inside her quarters much later that day, Aria saw the pile of files she had to attend to. Slumping in her chair, she began setting up schedules, both for the ship and for herself. Events, reports, important dates and reminders all had to get recorded. There was so much for her to set up that it was almost overwhelming. She was lucky that there were no translations to work on yet and only a few small events scheduled that she had to keep track of, but she had to get appointments scheduled per the Captain's orders. And then there was the Captain. The thought of him made her knees weak. She knew that the chance of anything happening with him was non-existent, but she wondered what if…

"Number One, what are your thoughts on our new interpreter?" Picard asked.

"She'll definitely do a good job. Her performance reports are sparkling, bordering on gushing and her language skills are amazing. Swenson can do it and if she can't, you won't know it."

"How do you know that?"

"Her poker face is one of the best I have ever seen," Riker replied, which made Picard raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "Three years ago, I met her when I was on leave on Soloron 7. She was able to bluff me and found my non-existent tell without a problem. I think she could be a deadly addition to the regular poker game."

"What else do you know about her?"

"Not much, just what is in her file. She shipped out the next day and I haven't heard from her since."

Picard changed the subject to other matters of importance and nothing else was said about the young Lieutenant. After his first officer left for his shift on the bridge, Picard picked up Aria's file and looked at her photo. She was very attractive, but young, almost too young for him, practically half his age. Age aside; he tried to convince himself that there was no room in his life for another relationship, especially with a member of his crew. That had only brought on tough situations in the past, especially when it came to away missions, but her position did keep her out of harms way for the most part. Jean Luc rose and stood next to the chair that she had occupied, still able to smell her perfume. It was light and reminded him of the gardens on Cascar. This woman was different than any he had met and it had been a long time since he was this emotionally moved over anyone he had just met. He knew that any sort of relationship, even friendship, would be difficult for both of them.

"Was it worth it?" he wondered. He was getting older with each passing day and never though he would have been this alone for so long. His younger brother had settled down long ago and was on his third child already. Robert seemed so happy, surrounded by his wife and son, on Earth at the family farm outside of Paris. Jean Luc had not thought that a family would bring so much happiness to a man until he visited Robert five years ago and saw what domestic life had done to his once renegade brother. He let himself wonder for a moment, what if…

After her dinner plate was cleaned up and had begun to relax on the couch while reading the news, the door chime went off. It was Will Riker. He stepped into the room.

"Three times in one day, sir. I feel honored. Would you like something to drink? I just made some tea," she offered her guest.

"Uh sure," he said as he took a seat in the armchair. He had changed out of his uniform and into causal attire.

She handed him a cup and asked him, "So, what can I do for you, Commander?"

"First of all, please, I'm out of uniform. Call me Will."

"Okay, hey, I am the protocol officer. I live for formalities." The both laughed.

"The real reason I came by tonight is very important," he said as Aria took a seat near Riker. "You won't find it on any calendar, but Captain Picard's birthday is in two weeks and I think we should throw him a party."

"Then you have come to the right office."

He smiled. "There is one wrinkle. Every time we've tried to do something for him, somehow he finds out and orders us to stop or plans. Your job is to arrange it and for him to not find out."

"That sounds like a fun challenge. I don't know him that well. Do you have any ideas?"

"He seems to enjoy all sorts of music and Shakespeare if that is any help."

Aria sat back in her chair, swirling her tea in her cup as if it helped her think. Riker could see the gears turning in her head, concocting a plan of action for the project he had proposed.

"How about, we have a cocktail reception, followed by a concert by one of the ensembles on board. Nothing too big or complicated and lets try to keep it on the small side. The less who know the harder it will be for him to find out about it," she said after a few moments of silence.

"I think you have hit upon something. You are as good as your file."

"Thanks," she replied out of reflex. Her mind was racing, planning some of the details. Aria stood up and started to take notes on a near by pad. "Now, what kinds of music does the Captain enjoy? I noticed there are a several ensembles. Which one is the best?"

"I would have to say the jazz ensemble."

"Okay, I've got it. Can you get me the names of those that should be invited?" He nodded in agreement. "And there is one other thing, when exactly is Captain Picard's birthday?"

"Two weeks from tomorrow."

"It is a little bit tight, since I haven't been on board a full day yet. It will be perfect though. I will need you to okay everything, especially since you know him so well. Oh, and could you concoct a way for him to get there?"

The two officers spoke for a few more minutes about the event, when out of the blue, Will asked, "Are you upset that I never contacted you after we left Soloron 7?"

"No. I knew our futures were heading in different directions and I didn't think you would have really contacted me anyway."

"I kind of feel bad about it."

"Don't be. I never contacted you, either so we are both at fault. I did realized though that you are a great guy, but there was nothing between us except for friendship."

"I felt the same way. I am glad we met though."

"Me too. So tell me Will, what have you been up to the past three years? Did you ever re-connect with your soul mate?"

"No, not really. We're still good friends. I don't know what's really going on with us. Things are good between us now and our lives are already complicated enough. She actually is on the ship. I think you met her today, Councilor Troi. How about you? Have you found your soul mate yet?"

"No, not yet. I haven't had the chance to date much lately. The few dates I have been on, there just hasn't been that connection I've been looking for. No one seems to fit. Maybe I am hoping for too much. Anyway, I am usually too busy with work to worry about such things."

"That is a shame. I'll have to introduce you around the ship. By the way, we are playing poker in my quarters the day after next. You should come."

"I don't know. I have so much to get caught up on," she said pointing over to the mound of information she had to sort through. "I haven't even gotten to my office yet."

"Come on, it will be fun. Twenty hundred hours."

"If I have the time," she replied with a wink.

After Will left that night, Aria finally finished unpacking. It didn't take her too long to do that. Most of her clothes got hung up in her closet. Everything else was placed in drawers, except for her personal items that had to go in the bathroom. Anything else she had to have, she could replicate. Aria made her bed and changed into her pajamas. Now that she was comfortable, she sat down by the window in the living area and practiced her flute for over an hour. By the time she was done she was exhausted and went to bed.

Lying on her back, looking up at her new ceiling, her mind began to wonder back to the Captain. She had not of been on board a day and she was already planning his birthday party. Oh boy, was she nervous. Not only did she want to prove she was up to the challenge, but she wanted to do a good job for her re-found friend and for her Captain.

She vowed to herself, that for now, she would only allow herself to think of the captain in the sanctuary of her quarters. Aria could still feel the shot of electricity she felt when they shook hands earlier that day. It was so unlike her to have a crush on anyone, let alone her commanding officer. She was almost mad at herself for feeling as out of control as she did.

19