Riker walked up to a set of sliding doors to Data's stateroom and pressed the buzzer. It was Data's turn to host the poker game and, characteristically enough, when he answered, Data was wearing a green visor hat. Behind him, Riker could already see the poker table was prepared along with the cards and chips.

"Commander Riker, you are the first to arrive. Come inside, please. Would you care for beverage while we wait for the others?" the android said in a cordial, yet somehow monotonous tone.

"Nothing yet, thanks. But if I see that cat of yours I'm going to curb-stomp it into the deck below us," Riker replied.

Data made the prerequisite expression for thinking, then asked, "Commander Riker, I understand that some forms of earth humor use exaggeration. Should I assume your statement was meant as a joke?"

"No, it wasn't," Riker said.

"Ah. In that case, I will put Spot in another room."

Once Data's cat was placed out of sight, Riker came in and took a seat. He honestly hated that cat more than anything else on the ship, but he was in a bad mood to begin with. He was assigned watch on the bridge the following morning, so he would have to leave tonight's game earlier than usual. But what really made him angry was that Captain Picard was actually coming tonight!

Riker made the perfunctory invitations to the captain all the time. He always added how much the other officers would enjoy his presence. But Picard would politely decline, thus allowing for the officers to bitch and moan about the captain at the poker game. It was sort-of a team building exercise and the invite-and-decline system Riker and Picard had created worked out perfectly.

But then Picard actually accepted this time. Wonderful.

Riker didn't even try to hide his disappointment as the other officers started to appear. The next to show was Geordi. The visor usually made it hard to determine his expression, but Riker had little doubt what his feelings were when Geordi greeted him.

"The captain? Really?" Geordi said with his head cocked.

"I know," Riker grimaced.

As soon as he said that, Data answered the door and Worf appeared. Scowling he walked to the table and took his usual seat without saying a word.

Geordi chuckled, "In a good mood tonight, Worf?"

"I was informed earlier that…the captain would be joining us," Worf replied.

Data sat down and turned to Riker. "Commander, I do not wish to be out of line, but what is up with that f*****g s**t?"

Riker sighed. "Look, I don't like it either. I guess sometimes even the captain likes to have s**ts and giggles, even if it's at our expense."

Then they heard the door buzzer. Usually, they played with four or five people, occasionally inviting either Dr. Crusher or Troi. However, tonight's fifth spot was reserved for the captain. Data gave a quick glance around the table before standing up and answering the door.

Captain Picard was standing there, smiling.

Picard took a sip of bourbon as he raised his poker hand. He had replaced three of the cards and all he was left with was a pair of sixes. He sucked at poker and he knew it. But, there was really no consequence to loosing. Money didn't really exist anymore and the replicators could materialize chips by the bucket load. If anything, losing was actually more fun for him. No one really liked making the captain lose and thus possibly putting themselves on his bad side. He could see all these seasoned poker players squirm in their seats after they won a hand (Picard never folded—not once).

Maybe he should make a show of how much it was bothering him. Maybe berate one of them and then add "just kidding." But then sneak in a disapproving frown. Oh, he loved this game.

Data raised the bet and Riker and Geordi folded. Worf had already folded earlier. The captain, as always, called. Data and Picard laid down there cards. The android had three nines and proceeded to collect the winnings. Picard didn't mind in the least, he brought plenty of chips with him.

Riker suddenly stood up. "I'm going to get some whiskey before we start the next hand. Anyone else want something?"

Worf asked for more prune juice, but everyone else declined the offer.

Then Picard spoke up. "Oh, you know, that reminds me of something. This morning, Wesley asked me to put him on a team of volunteers to go on a goodwill mission."

"A goodwill mission, sir?" Data asked as he gathered the cards and started shuffling (the officer had long since decided that the host would always be the dealer).

"Yeah, I looked at the Starfleet message requesting for the volunteers. Apparently this planet developed warp drive technology five years ago. The Federation made first contact and now the people there are considering joining. All the dignitaries, diplomats, high brass, et cetera are already making their spiel about the benefits of being in the Federation. But the people there also want to see what it will be like working alongside Starfleet officers. So now Starfleet Command is asking for teams of volunteers to go there."

Picard took another sip and gathered the cards Data was now dealing. Picard continued, "They want a team to all come from the same ship—three people: a junior officer, mid-level, and senior."

Worf looked puzzled (then looked briefly disappointed after seeing his card). In a possible attempt to hide tell, he asked, "So why does Ensign Crusher want to go?"

"No idea," Picard answered as he put in his ante. "I looked into the planet a little. The interesting thing about it is that there are two native sentient species living there. They were almost always at war with each other, but twenty years prior to developing warp drive, they put aside their differences. I guess they're all happy now and sing Koombaya and s**t."

Staring at his cards, Riker asked absently, "What's the name of the planet?"

"Glosant," Picard said.

Looking at his cards, Picard realized he actually had a good hand this time! Two kings and three sevens! He actually had a full house on the first draw! F*****g A, Picard thought.

As everyone else what taking their second draw, Geordi suddenly perked up. "I think I might know why Wesley wants to go," he said.

"Why's that," Picard said, enjoying the thought of actually winning. He suppressed a chuckle and Worf asked for four cards.

"I was in Ten-Forward yesterday. Wesley was sitting beside me and talking to another ensign that was just assigned to the Enterprise. He was a staff officer on his last assignment working for an Admiral that was part of a Starfleet delegation on Glosant."

Riker raised the bet. Data and Geordi folded, but Geordi continued talking. "Apparently, the females of at least one of the Glosant species is ridiculously hot! And they are not shy about meeting aliens like us. You know, gettin' a little familiar?" A grin spread across Geordi's face.

Picard raised the bet and this time Riker folded. Worf, however, called. Showing a displeased look, he said, "That is not a good reason to go on a mission."

Picard saw Riker lean back and chuckled at the klingon. "Not keen on meeting the locals?"

"If the mission is to demonstrate the qualities of Starfleet officers, then one should endeavor to behave professionally. Everyone on that mission should go realizing they are representing the entire Federation. They should show the people of that planet that we are honest, diligent, and honorable," Worf answered.

"I see," Geordi said. "Raise up their expectations and then when they join—Bam!" Geordi smack a fist into his palm. "Then they see what things are really like. It'll be hilarious. I like how you think, Worf."

Worf didn't seem to appreciate the joke.

Data suggested, "Perhaps you would change your mind if you went there."

Worf shook his head. "I am far too busy right now. Most of the security detail has been turned over. Many of the members have been onboard for less than a month. The training schedule would not allow for my absence."

"Well, Mr. Worf," Picard smiled, eager to get on with the game. "It's just you and me."

"I have already called on the bet," Worf replied.

"Oh, that's right," Picard smiled. The captain didn't win often, but occasionally it was nice to have that feeling. He was trying to draw this out as long as possible. He slowly lowered his hand and unsuccessfully suppressed a smirk.

"Full house," Picard said.

Worf laid down his cards and said, "Four tens."

No, that's bulls**t, Picard thought. "Well played, Mr. Worf," Picard said.

Somehow, the little bit of joy he received from losing suddenly vanished as he watched Worf rake in his winnings.

Picard played on a little longer, but then Riker excused himself to turn in earlier. With all the enjoyment of the game lost, the captain did likewise and went to his stateroom. Before turning in for the night, Picard opened of the Starfleet message requesting volunteers and briefly wrote up the reply.

He decided to choose himself, Wesley, and Worf as volunteers. If there were hot aliens to be had, then Picard definitely wanted to go. He supposed that Wesley should get the chance too. After all, if it weren't for that one-on-one meeting, Picard would have just passed over that message and submitted some random names. Worf, however, had made him angry. If he were forced to go on a mission now, he would fall behind on his work. It seemed only fair when considering that he had four-of-a-kind after drawing four cards!

Four f*****g cards! Picard felt a frown creep onto his face.

He sent out the reply and walked to his bed. It really didn't matter anyway. Starfleet was accepting only a handful of teams, yet every ship was required to submit a list of volunteers. The chances of going on this mission were slim-to-none.