To say that Tasha was upset over her juvenile reaction would be an understatement. She burned up with embarrassment whenever she thought about it. Park had probably been fishing for information, and just like that, Tasha had shown her hand. She knew her jealousy was out of place. If she couldn't commit to Bobby, he had every right to walk away. She knew this in her mind, but her heart ached every time she saw the mental picture of them in bed together, albeit a hospital bed. Bobby was not a stickler for waiting for an appropriate time and place, so it was wholly possible that he'd been indiscreet.

She wanted to get at the truth of the matter, but didn't want to be trapped into admitting that she was jealous. It was a dilemma, and it was gnawing at her emotional health in just the way she'd wanted to avoid. She was at a low point when the call came over her communicator.

"Roberts to Yar."

"What?"

"Do you want to talk to me about what happened? Can I come over?"

No and no, she thought. She wished she could confide in Worf, but she'd promised not to. Under the circumstances, to go directly to the source was the best thing to do. "Fine."

"Be there in five. Roberts out."

He looked anxious and wary when he arrived. He didn't try to touch her or make jokes when they got to her room. Tasha feared the worst.

"So, what was that all about? One minute, everything is hunky-dory, the next, you and Park are rolling around on the floor like a couple of fisherman's wives. What happened?"

"Did she tell you?" Tasha asked cautiously.

"No, she wouldn't tell me anything except where I could go."

"Can I ask you a question first?"

"Of course."

Tasha took a deep breath. "Did you really spend the night with her at the hospital?"

"Yeah. Turns out hospitals freak her out. She was nervous about being alone, so I offered to stay with her." It took Bobby a minute of blithe explanation before he caught the warning in Tasha's eyes. "Wait a minute… I didn't spend the night capital letters spend the night with her. I was going to sleep in a chair, but she told me I was being stupid, and I'd have less of a chance of getting caught if I just got under the covers with her." Tasha could almost see the wheels turning in his head. "You're not telling me that that's what you were fighting about."

"I haven't said anything."

"Tasha, nothing happened. Park is like the sister I never had. You can't think –"

"She likes you." It was easiest to just blurt it out.

Bobby scoffed. "Park? That's impossible. She doesn't like anybody."

"She told me herself." And swore me to secrecy, she added internally.

"She likes me likes me? Like, likes me?"

Tasha put her head in her hand. "Yes, Bobby."

"So, let me get this straight. You thought I'd slept with her at the hospital. Is that right?"

"It's how she made it sound," Tasha muttered.

Bobby lit up with a grin. "Two girls were fighting over me? That is fantastic!"

"I hate you."

"Two beautiful girls were fighting over me… I mean, empirically beautiful – I've never seen her in that way," he amended at another flash of danger from Tasha's eyes. "It's pretty flattering. Hey . . ." He put his hands on her shoulders. "Don't look like that. I would never do that to you. I'll give you all the space you need, but I'm not seeing anyone else."

Tasha looked away. "Neither am I."

"Well, good. Now, c'mere." He hugged her hard. "I tell you, I don't know if I'll be able to look her in the eye. I really had no idea."

"No!" Tasha pulled away. "I told her I wouldn't say anything. She'll really hate me if she figures out I told you. You have to play it cool."

"I'll do my best. Now, really, come here. It's been a long time between drinks of water, you know? There's nothing like a week of sitting in the hospital to stoke the ol' libido. Ow!" He rubbed his arm where Tasha had punched him.

Worf entered the freshman mess after History of the Federation, along with most of the cadets in his class. He got his food and searched for a seat, and found his brother sitting alone at a two top. Worf sat across from him and rattled his padd over the table. "Do you want to see the notes from the lecture you just missed?"

Nikolai slid the padd back. "That class is a waste of time and an insult to my intelligence."

"Some things must simply be endured."

"No. I refuse to waste my time."

"You could consider it a test of character. To call a requirement a waste of –"

"Worf, enough." Nikolai put up a hand. "I hereby absolve you of any and all duty to watch out for me."

"You mock me," Worf said wearily. They'd had so many variations on this conversation; he had no energy to put into the latest refrain.

"I've come to a decision. I hate my classes. I'm doing the bare minimum I need to pass, and that's it. There's no attendance requirement in History, so I see no reason to subject myself to that man's insipid voice for one hour more."

Worf ate in silence for a minute, and then caught his brother's eye. "He does have an annoying voice."

"The constitution of the Federation is blahditty blah blah blaaaaah," Nikolai droned.

"The prime directive is not to be interpreted. It is to be followed. It is not just a guiding principle, but a law." Worf's imitation was less apt, but Nikolai laughed nonetheless.

And then sighed. "I just want to go home. I can't wait to be done with finals. I'm so tired of this place."

It was the kind of day you hoped would never end. It was sunny, and cool breezes blew in from the bay. Elbows on the ferry railing, spray from the ocean on the cheek, the Golden Gate Bridge and the towers of the city hazy in the heat. And heat from the arms wrapped around from behind, the chest warm against her back, the legs tucked against hers. Naked back, naked legs… on a ferry… a correction of perspective – horizontal, not vertical. And the light was dim, not bright. And the buzzing of the ferry's motor was a snore . . .

Tasha awoke with a jerk followed by a string of expletives. She disentangled herself from Bobby's arms and leapt out of bed. Touching the padd in the desk revealed the worst. She scrambled to gather her clothes and get dressed while he blinked sleepily.

"What'sa matter?"

"We fell asleep. Idiot!" Tasha fished under his bed for her boots. "I missed curfew!"

"Sorry…"

"Don't you set an alarm?" She splashed water on her face at the sink and raked her fingers through her hair.

"Yeah, but my first class isn't 'til 0930."

"Well, mine's at 0800 and I have exactly seven minutes to get there." She sniffed at one armpit and made a face. A few more curses sizzled in the air.

"Sweetie, I'm sorry…"

Tasha threw a withering look back at him and ran out the door.

She made it to hand-to-hand combat with a minute to spare. Worf had saved her a space at the front of the class, and when she arrived, disheveled and panting, he gave her a quizzical look.

"Don't ask," she said.

Worf shrugged. He took a few sniffs and looked at her again, but Prof. Fujihito was beginning class. "Cadets, we will review for next week's comprehensive final. If you have any questions on any of the units, now is the time to ask."

Here's a question, Tasha thought. How am I supposed to make it through exam week when I have more work to do than there are hours in the day?

Two days before the last game of the regular season, Tasha was arguing with the head coach after practice. "Please, sir. If I could have one game off, I'd have a chance to finish my work and be ready for the three finals I have on Monday. Otherwise, there's no way I can do it."

"That's not how it works, Yar. You are obligated to play every game unless you're injured. You don't get to pick and choose."

"But Roberts can play my position!"

"And you think he doesn't have finals? The answer is no."

"Please consider it, coach. I'm in over my head. If I could just –"

"Mr. Yar, I would be doing you a major disservice if I let you off the hook. One of the lessons you're here to learn is how to manage stressful situations. Welcome to real life. The answer is no, and that's final." Willoughby walked away before she could protest again.

"Great." Tasha grabbed up her gear and stomped to the exit. "I can kiss sleep goodbye."

"Do you want me to break your legs for you?" Park's saccharine voice was right behind her. "That should take of it."

Tasha knew better than to rise to the bait, but couldn't resist tweaking her back. "Oh, thanks for the offer, but no."

"Anytime." Park jostled her shoulder as she passed.

Tasha just rolled her eyes. The end of the semester couldn't come soon enough.