1300 came all too quickly the next day. Before I knew it, I was sitting in the Observation Lounge. With me was Deanna. Will and Picard were in the transporter room, waiting to welcome Sebastian.

"You're nervous."

I looked over at Deanna. She was sitting serenely with a face that was impossible to read.

"A little," I admitted.

"It's going to be alright," she said with a reassuring smile. "These things are always boring."

"I hope so." I shifted in my seat again. Will and Picard had been gone for a while. What was taking so long?

"How have you been?"

"I'm alright," I blatantly lied. Deanna smiled.

"If you ever need to talk…"

"I know. I appreciate it. And it did help, last time." Deanna had previously helped me come to terms with the fact that I had, at seventeen, killed a man while escaping the rehabilitation center. I knew that she was good at her job but, for some reason, I couldn't seem to open up. "Maybe sometime later."

"My door is always open."

As she said the words, the door to the Observation Lounge opened. Picard walked in, followed my Sebastian, a man I didn't recognize, and Will, bringing up the rear. Picard sat at the head of the table, with Riker to his right. Sebastian and his associate sat across from me. He glanced at me and then turned to Picard.

"This is Deanna Troi, ship's counselor," Picard said. "And you know Tasha Lawrence."

Sebastian nodded at both of us.

"This is Prime Minister Grey and his deputy, Mister Reynolds."

Both the men were dressed in the grey suits of the Sandorian government. Sebastian still had the shaggy black hair. Reynolds was blond, with close-cropped hair and a goatee. He was taller than Sebastian, as tall as Will. He was also staring at me. I fixed my eyes on Picard.

"Thank you for having this meeting," Sebastian began. "After the events of last year, we've come to terms with our place in the galactic community. We want to be part of that community and joining the Federation seems like the logical step."

"Hmm," Picard said. He sat forward and tugged down his shirt. "I'm pleased that Sandor has made the decision to apply. I'm hoping that our meetings this week will pave the way to making that possible."

"Thank you, Captain," Sebastian said. "Shall we proceed?"

Picard nodded to Riker and he handed a PADD down to Sebastian.

"On that PADD are a list of the requirements for joining the Federation. Most are flexible and based on the opinion of the person appraising the planet. We'll start with some of the basics. Your planet has invented warp travel and are trading with several planets in the surrounding systems."

Sebastian nodded. "Yes, our scientists invented warp drive one hundred years ago. We were isolationist at first, but under my leadership we have expanded our commerce out into the neighboring planets."

I tried not to roll my eyes. Leave it to Sebastian to toot his own horn during this.

"Sandor also has a united planetary government," Will said. "As I saw firsthand at your Unification Day celebration."

Sebastian nodded again.

"A third requirement is the lack of a caste system. This one we might have an issue with."

Sebastian nodded a third time. "The shapeshifters."

I stiffened and finally took my eyes off Will to look at Sebastian. He was watching me.

"Exactly," Will continued, eyeing Sebastian. "Federation policy requires all citizens to be treated equally. The ongoing treatment of the shapeshifting population may be an issue."

"This is why I asked Miss Lawrence to join us," Sebastian said, continuing to look at me with an unblinking gaze. "I thought she might have some ideas."

I looked between the two men. "Ideas on what?" I asked.

"On how to integrate shapeshifters into society," Sebastian said. I stared at him.

"You're joking."

"I am not."

"You're telling me you want to 'reintegrate them?'" I demanded, ignoring the fact that we had an audience.

"It seems the next logical step," Sebastian said.

"What, after locking them up? Because that was real logical!"

"Let's keep focused on the issue at hand," Picard said, his calm voice interrupting us. "Minister Grey has expressed a wish to reintegrate the shapeshifters into Sandorian society. It is my understanding that he has already started the process, by opening schools for shapeshifter children where they can learn without judgement or exposure. Is that correct?"

"It is," Sebastian said. "We've been operating it for six months now and the trial is going well. It helps that we have a minimal shapeshifting population, after what happened last year."

I tried not to roll my eyes. What had happened was that I had trade myself for a thousand shapeshifters, giving them a chance to escape to a colony off world. Any shapeshifters currently on the planet were ones who had not been identified or who had been discovered since then. Or maybe there had been some left at rehabilitation centers who had not been taken to the camp I had been in.

"How many shapeshifters are on Sandor?" I asked.

"One hundred," Sebastian said.

"Why weren't they at the prison I was at?"

"Rehabilitation center," Sebastian corrected me. "And they were either scheduled to be shipped there and hadn't been yet, or we discovered them in the last year."

"And these shapeshifters are currently…in rehabilitation centers?" Picard asked.

"They are. But they've been converted to schools, with minimal security. The children are taught academics and the adults are being taught trades."

I stared at Sebastian but held my tongue.

"What is the public perception of this?" Riker asked.

"There isn't one. Most people don't know they exist. They don't ask questions about what we do with the shifters."

"That's because they think you're killing them," I cut in.

"Is that true?" Picard asked.

"I'm afraid so," Sebastian said. "It was a policy put in before I was elected. It was judged to keep things simpler and so people wouldn't be afraid of mass breakouts. But," he continued, holding up a hand. "recently, public perception has swayed in the favor of shapeshifters. Miss Lawrence's performance on Unification Day was seen around the world. They realized that there are shapeshifters still among us and that they're working with the government, willing to risk her life for me. That meant a lot. It also helped when I awarded her the Silver Moon."

"Which you didn't tell me about," I interrupted again. Will shot me a look but I ignored it.

"I thought you might…be opposed to the idea. But the point is, public opinion is swaying in the shapeshifter's favor. We may be at a point where we can be open about the schools and, from there, slowly reintegrate the shifters into the real world."

I glared at Sebastian across the table. Picard looked between the two of us.

"I think this is a good start," he said. "Now let's move on to your economy and trade routes."

The next several hours passed in boredom. I kept my mouth shut as the rest of the room discussed the Sandorian economy and relationship with the surrounding planets, including their enemies, the Liarens. I could feel Deann's eyes on my but I ignored her, keeping my eyes fixed on the stars streaming past the window.

Finally, Picard leaned back and said, "I think we've made excellent progress today. Commander Riker will show you to your quarters. We'll start at 0900 tomorrow morning. I'll have security escort you back here."

"Thank you, Captain," Sebastian said. Picard stood up and the rest of us followed suit. I waited until everyone else had filed out of the room. As Will, Sebastian, and Reynolds made their way to one turbolift, I started for the other but Picard called me back from where he was talking to Deanna.

"A word, Miss Lawrence."

I followed him into the Ready Room. He sat down and gestured for me to the do the same.

"How would you say that went?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Better than I expected, I guess. I didn't know the Federation had so many rules for joining."

"Many are guidelines that can be adjusted for the planet as we see fit," Picard said. "But I meant the discussion around shapeshifters."

"I knew about the schools," I told him. "I didn't know how many people were in them or that he wanted to get them back into the real world."

"Hmm," Picard said. "He certainly seemed determined to paint them in a productive light."

"I won't believe him until I see them for myself," I told him. "I saw what he called a rehabilitation center last year. It was a prison. I doubt these are any better."

"That may not be a bad idea."

"What?"

"To see them for ourselves."

I stared at Picard. "I'm not going down there," I said.

"I wouldn't ask you to. But before the final decision is made, someone will have to see them. In the meantime, Grey will have the opportunity to improve them as much as he can."

"How do you know that he's not just doing it for show, because he knows it's what you want?"

"If the end result is the same, does it matter?"

I paused. "I think it does," I said finally. "But if you're asking me if I think Sebastian is sincere, he seems like he really is."

"I'm surprised to hear you say that."

"The thing that I've learned about Sebastian is that it sounds like he's just spouting propaganda, but he really believes it. Look at what just happened a few days ago. He was willing to put his life on the line to go through with his speech, just to show he can't be intimidated. I think he's sincere."

Picard nodded. "That was also Counselor Troi's assessment. She didn't sense deception from him."

"That's something."

"Thank you for your opinions." I stood up to go. "One last thing. I know there's history between you and Grey. We'll try to avoid the shapeshifter issue but it needs to be addressed sooner or later."

"So you're telling me to behave?" I asked.

"In so many words."

"I'll do my best."

I left his office and entered the turbolift. I leaned against the side as it traveled through the ship. The meeting had worn me out, first from the confrontation and then from the boredom. Even so, it had gone better than I had expected. My anger at Sebastian had overcome my trepidation at seeing him again.

I made it to my quarters and ordered something to eat from the replicator. I checked the time and realized it was 1700. No wonder I was hungry. I had had a small breakfast and skipped lunch. I was sitting down to eat when the door rang.

"Come in," I called from my seat at the table. I looked at the door opened. "What do you want?"

"May I come in?" Sebastian asked.

"If I said no, would it stop you?" I asked back. He paused.

"Of course."

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want?" I repeated.

"To talk."

"What about?" Sebastian sighed. He stepped inside and the door closed behind him. "How did you know where I was?"

"The computer told me. You're the only other Sandorian on board. Then the security officer assigned to us was kind enough to let me take a walk."

"That was a mistake."

"I just want to talk," Sebastian said. "I'm sorry I interrupted your dinner."

"Are you?"

"Perhaps we could eat together? I'm sure this ship has a mess hall."

"Ten Forward," I supplied automatically and then cursed myself.

"Is that a yes?" I hesitated. "Come on, Miss Lawrence, what harm could one meal do?"

"Stop calling me that."

Sebastian frowned. "Miss Lawrence?"

"Yes. I knew you when you were a kid. Stop acting like a Prime Minister."

"Tasha, then."

"Fine," I said. I brushed past him and walked out the door. "Are you coming?"

I lead the way to the turbolift.

"How did you think it went today?" Sebastian asked.

"I stopped paying attention after the first hour," I said honestly.

"It was dry," Sebastian said. In the small turbolift, I could smell the cologne coming off of him. It smelled like trees and campfire.

"It was boring."

"I appreciated your input, at the beginning."

"Did you?"

"I did." Sebastian lead the way out of the turbolift and I pointed at the double doors that lead to Ten Forward. Sebastian selected a table and I sat down across from him. It was strange, seeing him sitting there in his Sandorian suit.

"I'll have water," I told the waiter.

"Orlita."

"I saw that you got them to program it in for you."

"I thought a touch of home might be nice."

I rolled my eyes and looked out across the room. I didn't see anyone I recognized, which wasn't surprising considering I knew maybe half a dozen people on the ship.

"I meant what I said," Sebastian said, drawing my attention back to him. "I appreciated your honesty today."

"Did you expect me to agree with you?" I asked, wondering if he was being passive aggressive.

"I didn't. That's why I asked for you to be there. You have a unique perspective."

"Not that unique. There were a thousand other shapeshifters you locked up along with me."

"But you're the only one who left and then came back."

"Not by choice."

"No, but you did anyway. You've seen what it's like to be free and you've seen what it's like to be on Sandor. I value your perspective."

I didn't answer for a moment, taking in Sebastian. He looked as calm and collected as always, as if he had not just survived an assassination attempt two days previous.

"What happened to Dominic?" I asked.

"He's in prison," Sebastian said, not questioning the change in topic. "He'll have a public trial and then be sentenced."

"Have you talked to him?"

"I did," Sebastian said. "At least, I went to see him. He refused to speak to me."

"Hmm." I took a drink of my water as it arrived, then ordered a salad. I didn't think my stomach could handle anything heavier. Sebastian followed suit.

"How are you doing?"

I looked up at him sharply. He still had the same unreadable face. "I'm fine."

"I hope the Federation doctor finished your treatment."

"She did. I'm fine," I repeated.

"I know I already thanked you for what you did, but I wanted to do it again. You saved my life. I won't forget it."

"I didn't do it for you," I told him argumentatively. "We had a deal, remember?"

"We did, and you held up your end. But you must have considered, in the confusion of my death you could have slipped away."

"And let Dominic at the shapeshifters? No."

Sebastian smiled. He looked surprisingly nice when he did that, I realized. I always forgot how young he was, just a few years older than myself. The position of Prime Minister made him seem older.

"You're selfless. That's one of the things I like about you."

I blinked. "Thank you?" I said questioningly.

"You're welcome."

I was spared following up by our food arriving. I dug into the salad hungrily. Sebastian ate in a much more dignified manner. We ate in silence for a while, something I was grateful for.

"Have you considered what you'll do after this week is over?" Sebastian asked.

I hesitated. I didn't exactly want to discuss my life with Sebastian. "I'm not sure yet," I said vaguely yet honestly.

"Hmm."

"What?"

"Nothing. You have a lot of options."

"I guess you could say that," I said. At the moment, I couldn't see any.

Sebastian took a final bite from his salad and stood up. "Thank you for having dinner with me," he said. He gave a short bow. "I'll see you in the morning."

He turned and left the mess, leaving me staring after him. What had that been about?