Deanna met up with Beverly in the corridor, and they walked side by side. "Do you know anything about this conference with the Captain?" Deanna asked her friend.
Beverly shook her head. "I can't think where I went wrong, and I know this wouldn't be a personal matter..." Troi had to smile at that comment, as she could feel the slightest amount of passion from her friend as she had spoken.
"While I want Will to be happy, there are times when I can appriciate the fact that he is not 'Captain'." Troi said with a sigh.
"It does take a toll on the relationship." The doctor smirked.
"But you're strong, Bev" Deanna said dramatically, clenching a fist, and her friend couldn't help but laugh.
They arrived at the Captain's Ready Room, and prepared themselves for the worst. Then they were invited in.
"Doctor" the Captain greeted. He paused for less than a second, and turned to Deanna. "Counselor" he continued in his professional manner. "Please, sit." The women glanced at each other, and then politely sat. Picard smoothed his hand over his bald head, trying to relieve the tension he felt. The counselor could feel the tension in the room from both the Captain and the doctor as well. She secretly took her friend's hand in her own, realizing the tension was in her as well. Picard cleared his throat, nervously. "Obviously, there is a child on this ship that needs to be returned to her home." He hesitated a bit, and then built up his strength and carried on. "While I am aware of the tremendous effort that the two of you have made to heal this girl, I need to remind you of the importance of the Prime Directive." Instantly, both women were filled with anxiety. They glanced at each other again, and squeezed their hands tight together. Then Troi looked back to the man.
"Captain, we have been working with this girl for months. There isn't a way to..." she searched for the words. "Take back what has already occurred." The fear was rising in her, and she realized that she had to calm herself. She let out a sigh.
"Counselor, I am aware of the length of time. But," Picard turned to the doctor. "I do belive there is a way to.." he glanced at Troi as he said "'take it back'" he looked at Beverly. "I remember a little while ago there was a little girl who was very attached to Data. Dr. Pulaski conducted a "memory wipe" before she was returned." He looked straight into Beverly's eyes. "I am ordering you, Doctor, to do the same with this one." Deanna's heart sank and the doctor only stared at the Captain. "Are my orders clear?" he asked her. Beverly stared at him harder, furious. The counselor focused on a space in thin air on the other side of the room, uncomfortable with the tension between the two. "Dr. Crusher are my orders clear?" the Captain barked.
"YES, Captain." The doctor snapped coldly.
"Good. Dismissed."
Reluctantly, the women stood up and walked out of the Ready Room. When the doors shut to the turbolift, Beverly said, reffering to the joke made earlier, "I'm not sure if I'm strong enough, Deanna." The Counselor looked at her friend with sympathy, and placed an arm around her.