A/N: Thank you SnidgetHex, Deana, ComtesseAlanna, and 29Pieces for your reviews! Last bit of happiness here before it all comes crashing down. =/
"Living Legend"
2381
"I'm going to be working with Admiral Jean-Luc Picard. The Jean-Luc Picard!" Raffi pivoted on her heel and paced another track down the length of her quarters. "My god, look at me; I'm like a ridiculous school girl."
"You're excited," Rios replied, his holo image flickering slightly on the communications screen.
"I'm honored," she corrected. That was the mature, adult adjective. She was a lieutenant commander now for crying out loud. "It's an honor to work with him." She spun around and groaned. "What if I make a fool of myself?"
"Raf, you're the top of your field. You wouldn't have been given the assignment otherwise."
She took a deep breath. Yeah, an assignment of such monumental proportions she didn't know if it was even feasible. 900 million Romulans to evacuate before their sun went supernova. But it was a worthy cause, one she could get behind one thousand percent.
"He's a legend," she went on, getting worked up again. "What do I say when I meet him?"
"If 'hello' isn't to your taste, you could always try chucking a ball at his head. I've found it breaks the ice and leaves a lasting impression."
Raffi finally paused in her pacing to shoot him a glower. "I'd like to see you chuck a ball at the great Admiral Picard's head and see how that works out for you."
Rios just grinned. "I am a little jealous. The admiral is a legend."
Raffi's nerves tingled again. "Yeah. And this mission…it's kind of daunting."
"That I do not envy you." He paused, expression sobering. "You'll be working closely with the Romulans? Be careful."
She slanted a dry look at him. "I'm an expert in Romulan affairs; I'll be fine."
"It's not just the Romulans you need to watch out for. There's a lot of dissent over this relocation proposal."
Raffi nodded sagely. "Yeah. But Picard believes in this mission, and I'm inclined to believe in him."
Rios quirked a knowing smile. "Heroic captains tend to do that."
Raffi took another deep breath and tugged her uniform jacket down. "I should get going. Wish me luck."
"You don't need it, but good luck," he replied.
She smiled at the vote of confidence and signed off. Time to meet a legend.