Author:Jadeblueafterglow17

Title: The Final Mission Part II

Disclaimers: Roddenberry...the man. He owns it all. I'm just a geek.

Chapter 4 - The Gift

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The Next Day 1327 hrs

There was no such thing as normal anymore. The stop at Starbase 343 had allowed a lifesaving procedure that avoided an anuerysm in Ensign Crusher's brain from spreading. The removal of the pressure helped his brain and skull continue to heal and he found that his speech and memory started to improve. The damage to his spleen would continue to compromise his immune system for the rest of his life. The bruise and subsequent rupture by the disruptor burn continued to plague him with lingering pain but would heal in due time. The Reflective Aphasia persisted but his doctor assured him that it would dissipate with time. Unfortunately, the concussions and trauma made him prone to severe migraines and petit mal seizures which would put him at significant risk for single flight missions, but would not end his starfleet career, because they could be treated with monthly injections and PRN hypo injections.

He lay on the sofa reading from his data PADD and was surprised to hear the door chime.

"Come in."

"Hey Wes...what are you up to?"

"Geordi! Are you a sight for sore eyes." Wesley leapt from his seated position and hugged the engineering manager, and was actually surprised when a firm hug was returned.

"How are you feeling, I mean how's your head...I mean..."

Wesley laughed. "I'm fine."

"Really?"

"Yes, really...something on your mind Geordi?"

"Well, I hate to bother you, but we are really short handed in Engineering. I'm having problems with the warp field containment unit, I could use some help running diagnostics...but..."

"Let me get my shoes. I'd be happy to help." Wesley smiled, grabbed his black shoes and led Geordi out of his quarters as Geordi began to animatedly describe the problem.

Two hours later

Beverly Crusher finished her shift in sick bay and arrived back in her quarters. She was surprised to find it empty, but knew that Wesley would certainly not keep still for long now that he would be resuming his duty in two days. Perhaps he'd caught up with some of his friends in ten forward or was enjoying a holodeck.

"Computer, what is the location of Wesley Crusher?"

"Wesley Crusher is in Main Engineering."

"I'll kill him." she said aloud as she headed in that direction.

Wesley was draped over the main engineering console with a scanning device in one hand as he dangled a tool between his teeth and punched buttons in an open cavity of the warp engine control module. He took the tool out of his mouth and tinkered with the wires, eliciting a whine from the device as he continued to push buttons.

Beverly Crusher stood in the doorway of Engineering watching her son's progress. He was focused and alert working intently on fixing the device.

"Okay Wes, I'm going to try and engage the containment field again...you ready."

"Just a sec..." he said as he closed the panel again and pressed a few more buttons. "Okay go ahead Geordi." Wesley and Geordi stared at the warp engines as a field of blue shimmered around it and faded and then finally stabilized.

"Yes! We did it...Great job Wes, I couldn't have done it without you." Wesley smiled and felt someone watching him. He turned to find the eyes of his mother staring at him. He tensed suddenly wondering if she would be upset with him, but as quickly as their eyes connected her face broke into a warm smile and she gave him a thumbs up. He got up from the table and walked towards her as she walked out of the door.

"I should have told you where I was."

"No. Wes, I'm not upset. I'm actually very glad you are doing the things you love, just don't over do it."

"I won't."

"I know I've mothered you to death lately..." He grabbed her hand and squeezed tightly.

"No, you haven't. You've been just the mom that I needed. I'm okay now, so please try not to worry so much."

"I think that's in my job description son." She hugged him tightly and held him. Wesley heard the clamor of people walking back in forth in the corridor, but he didn't care. This was his mother, he could have died and never felt her embrace again. If it was one thing he learned from this experience, it was to treasure every moment.

Stardate 44381.61 (Friday, Nov 4, 2366 12:54pm)

He pulled on his tunic and smoothed the bottom down over his black pants. He activated his new communicator, placed it on uniform, and walked over to the replicator.

"Glass of water 5 degrees." he sipped from the water to ease the unexpected butterflies in his stomach. He set the glass on the table and walked down the corridor. He stepped nervously into the empty turbolift.

"Bridge."

Wesley walked out of the turbo lift and was shocked to see all of the bridge crew standing at attention. As he strode down the gangway and made his way to the center, his mother beamed proudly and Captain Picard placed a firm hand on his shoulder as his helm seat was vacated.

"Welcome back Ensign Crusher, you have been missed."

"Thank you sir." he said smiling brightly. He took his seat at the helm as the rest of the bridge crew returned to their seat.

"Ensign Crusher take us into orbit around the moon Volarus IV, one quarter impulse."

"Aye sir." Wesley manuevered his fingers across the instrument panel. The Enterprise slid into orbit around the planet. It felt amazing to glide his fingers across the smooth glass again.

"Open hailing frequencies."

"This is Jean Luc Picard of th USS Enterprise we are responding to ..."

Static filled the air as the bridge crew stared at each other.

"Captain I sense great turmoil on the surface of the planet Lyra."

"Send another mesaage... all languages all formats."

After a few moments a strange blue skinned creature came into view on the monitor.

" I am ambassador Montique of Lyra, we require immediate assistance from the Federation of planets."

Wesley stared at her face as she made the statement but heard Counselor Troi say " I don't trust them, something is not right with their request." Wesley turned to Data to see if he'd heard it too. It was highly unusual for the counselor to voice her concerns outloud in front of everyone.

The conversation between the Captain and the Ambassador continued as Counselor Troi saw the confused look on Wesley's face and something in her knew he'd heard her. "Wesley?" The color drained from Wesley's face as his palm began to sweat. He grew sick to his stomach. Now he knew he was losing his mind. No sound had come to his ears but he heard his name being called.

"Wesley, it's Deanna. If you can hear me just turn around...don't be afraid." Wesley considered the fact that his mother was going to lock him up in sick bay until he was an old man if he was hearing voices, but he couldn't resist the urge to turn around. How could he resist Counselor Troi? He was rewarded with a bright smile from Deanna.

His mother looked at him strangely and then at Deanna as if they were sharing some strange collosal inside joke.

"Commander Riker assemble an AWAY team and take supplies to the planet..."

"Data, Dr. Crusher, Lt. Worf, Ensign Brunson you're with me..." Dr. Crusher stepped to her son at HELM before departing.

"Wes are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost. You're not in pain are you?"

"I'm fine" he whispered. She stole a kiss from the top of his head and ran to catch the turbolift. Wesley was mortified by her indiscretion, but stiffened and continued with his hands on the control.

Counselor Troi felt the excitement build in her as she turned to her captain and made an odd request.

"Captain Picard, request permission to leave the bridge."

"Granted."

" I'll need Ensign Crusher as well." Picard's eyes widened as he turned to his counselor as if she'd suddenly grown horns and a goatee.

"Ensign Crusher is on duty counselor, for all of ten minutes..."

"I wouldn't ask if it wasn't urgent Captain, it won't take long."

" Fine. Five minutes."

"I'll need atleast 30." Picard again stared at her strangely as Deanna tried her best to smile pleasantly.

"Consider this your break then Ensign."

"Aye Sir."

" Picard stood up and waited for Wesley to leave the Helm as the two of them dashed into the turbo lift.

"Deck 14."

"You do hear me don't you."

"Yes." He answered verbally. He was terrified and excited all at the same time. At deck 7 another lietunant joined them.

"Don't worry, Wes I think you've always had this ability, but its just now come to light because of your recent injury."

"This makes no sense." he spoke aloud.

"Ensign what doesn't make sense?"

"How slow these turbo lifts are..." Deanna said as she snatched Wesley out of the lift behind her his thin frame seemed to fly in mid air.

The door to her quarters slid open and Wesley stood at the door.

"You cannot respond out loud to a telepathic response Wes, people are going to think you're insane. Have a seat."

"When I thought outloud about the Volarians you could hear me right..." What did I say?

"You said...something wasn't right and that they couldn't be trusted."

"Yes that's right...Did you feel or sense anything?"

"I don't know...I was pretty freaked out about hearing you I felt kinda queasy when I heard the exchange."

"Maybe you've developed some type of telepathy but not a true empathetic sense...atleast not yet. Wesley this is amazing."

"I want you to try to form a thought in your mind and talk to me."

"I...wouldn't have a clue about how to do that." he stammered. He was biting his nails and wondering if Captain Picard was going to kill him if he spent his entire shift talking about some supernatural ability that was surely a figment of his imagination.

"I can sense that you are worried and afraid, there's nothing to be afraid of or concerned about. This secret can stay between us as long as you want to, I just want to know the extent of your ability."

Wesley continued to try and form a thought in his mind and could continue to hear Deanna but could not reply.

Finally she asked him to lie down on the sofa, she got him to relax, and take deep breaths. As he finally began to calm himself she talked softly to him outloud and asked him simple questions, about his studies, about resuming his duties and then she only spoke to him in his mind, once he relaxed he once again answered her from his mind.

Deanna walked over and stood beside him.

"Are your headaches getting better?"

"About the same, not everyday, ...but often enough to be bothersome." he thought as he opened his eyes and stared at her his eyes wide with surprise and excitement. He was talking, with his mind to Counselor Troi! Holy hell!

"There, that wasn't too hard..."

"How did you know I could do this? Why can I do it now? Counselor Troi...is something wrong with me?"

"I don't think so. I first noticed it when you were in your quarters, I felt a strong prescence from you after your accident and every time I talked to you I felt like you could really hear me."

"You had a nightmare and you were in your quarters I came because there was such a feeling of terror coming from you and when I talked to you you answered me telepathically. I honestly thought I was losing my mind. Then it happened again at Starbase 343, but you seemed to have no memory of it."

Wesley stared up at her, his brown eyes filled with intrigue. He sat up and then stood to straighten his tunic to return to duty.

"What about mom?"

"That's up to you...It's your gift Wesley...I can help you learn to use it and it can be our secret, or we can tell the captain..and your mother. It's your choice. That combined with your ability to manipulate time and with your thoughts and equations...well, it makes you an incredible asset to the federation. For your own safety the less people that know what you can do, the better it is for you and them."

Wesley thought about the repercussions of her statement, and even though he wasn't even sure how he was able to rescue his mother from the collapsing warp bubble he knew that he had abilities that could change his life path forever.

"It's our secret." he thought aloud, and she smiled.
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As he headed back towards the bridge he strode down the corridor a very pretty ensign departed the turbolift. Her long braided hair softened her features and her mustard uniform managed to accentuate every curve. He couldn't help but stare as she smiled innocently.

"Hello Ensign Crusher..."

"Hello...Do I know you?" he smiled completely mesmerized by the striking older Ensign.

"No, but I know you." she grinned coyly and stared up at him. He was a good three inches taller than him.

"Well, that's not fair...I don't know your name.

"Law #67 Life's not fair. See you later." She smiled and then continued on her way. Wesley paused in the corridor to watch her walk away and saw her glance back at him once more more before rounding a corner. He was hooked instantly. He would have to find ut who she was as he made a mental note to stop by engineering later, as that was definetly an engineering ensignia she had been wearing.

Ensign Crusher returned to the bridge and resumed his seat at Helm.

"Everything alright Ensign Crusher?"

Wesley stared straight ahead as he brimmed a smile from ear to ear.

"Yes sir, just fine." This version of normal wasn't looking so bad after all.

The End

I can't believe this story was this long...I only intended the whole story "Final Mission" to be 5 chapters! : ) Review please! It's up to you if another story is posted.

Title possibilities: Duty to Defend...Alienation of Affection or the Traitor...Pick one of the Three stories for the next adventure.