Chapter VI
Captain's Personal Log: Stardate 51314.2 – The Enterprise crew has been revived from the effects of the anesthezine gas, and we are en route for Starbase 629 to release Admiral Nechayev – or rather, the Aralla parasite that has totally possessed her body – to Starfleet Intelligence. I have admitted before that I never totally got on with Admiral Nechayev, but I recognise her as an outstanding officer of the highest quality, and the death that was inflicted upon her by the Aralla was a cruel end for such a distinguished officer. Her memory must not be tarnished by those acts that were committed by her walking corpse. The deaths of fifteen security guards and the death of Transporter Chief McConnell were acts carried out by an unfeeling creature that regards all other races as vermin to be destroyed. However, it has been sedated and imprisoned in the brig, and will be delivered to Starfleet at Starbase 629, thank god. The previous mission has taken a great toll on all of us, myself especially. An impromptu victory celebration has been organised in Ten-Forward, with our heroine of the hour, Lieutenant Thames, as guest of honour. I will be joining them shortly, but first I have to get a ring from somewhere....
'How did you work it out?' asked Riker, as they celebrated in the area of the ship they had christened Ten-Forward in honour of the old ship's bar on the Enterprise-D. All around the huge room were windows that displayed an almost uninterrupted view around the ship.
Thames shrugged, embarrassed by all the attention. 'It was Mr Data and Captain Picard who did the hard work. I simply shot her.'
'But how?' asked Troi.
'Well, I suddenly heard the Captain's thoughts. I knew he was in the transporter room. He was wondering where Admiral Nechayev was. On a sudden hunch, I asked Mr. Data if he would run a pinpoint sensor scan for human/Aralla lifesigns in the shuttlebay. We detected her and a lot of phaser energy flying about as well. There wasn't much time. I picked up a rifle and had myself beamed to the shuttlebay. It was pure luck that I beamed in when I did.'
Riker shook his head. 'A piece of brilliance. I think a commendation might be in order, Lieutenant.'
Thames smiled slightly and then what Riker had said suddenly got through. 'Shouldn't that be Captain Picard's decision?'
Riker shrugged. 'As far as I know, he's still going to retire.'
Riker's sudden reflection on what happened in the past stopped the conversation. La Forge and Data, who were on the fringes of the group, suddenly looked into their drinks. Troi gazed glumly at Riker, and Thames felt her eyes tearing.
'Speaking of which,' said La Forge with a forced jollity, 'where is he?'
'I believe he's still on the bridge,' said Data.
Abruptly the doors slid open. They all turned, but were disappointed to see that it was only one of the crew walking through the doors.
They all began to drift back to their various conversations when Picard suddenly strode through the doors He was carrying something in his clenched left fist. He had the look of a determined man who was going to See It Through no matter what.
He strode to the front of the crowd, his back to the starscape, and turned to face them. The buzz of conversation quieted quickly. The hush of anticipation resounded through the room.
'As you all know,' he began, 'I recently made a decision to retire from Starfleet. I have since thought through my decision, and, following recent events, I have decided to reconsider.'
The room was dead silent for a moment, and then a great roar of approval swept through, begun by Riker and La Forge at the back of the room. Picard smiled at the response, and glanced at his hand, which was still tightly closed. He waited, and then raised his hand for quiet. Peace, of an excited and frivolous nature, reigned.
'I have also come to another decision, one which has not taken me long to consider, although it remains... subject to approval.' He smiled that beguiling smile again, and watched the confused murmurs sweep through the crowd. Without another word, he stepped off the platform, and made his way through the crowd.
As the excited and surprised onlookers watched, he reached the smiling but bemused group of senior officers who had led the cheering, and faced Lieutenant Thames. The room went quiet with anticipation again, and then a collective murmur swept through the crowd as Picard went down on one knee before her and opened his hand. It contained a sparkling ring. As the shocked senior officers watched, Picard looked up into Thames' eyes and, love shining in his own eyes, said quietly, 'Rosanna Thames, will you marry me?'
And, tears of happiness welling up, Thames said, 'Yes.'
Picard slipped the ring onto her finger, stood, and they kissed, unheeding of the crowd of onlookers who suddenly, at Riker's prompting, broke into thunderous, rapturous applause.
'A one, two, a one two three four!' Riker and his jazz band began playing in one corner of the room. Data, unusually for him, had asked to join in, and his violin could be heard in the background of the bright jazz number. Instead of sounding incongruous, it blended in perfectly.
Which, Deanna reflected under a haze of dazed pleasure, was exactly right. The occasion had evolved from a quiet victory celebration to a full-blown engagement party for the captain and Lieutenant Thames.
Which, in itself, was pretty incongruous, she decided. Who would have thought that the captain would ever marry – and especially a member of his own crew?
Captain Picard and Lieutenant Thames had just left the dancefloor, after being congratulated by another newly arrived group of well-wishers. Again, Deanna had watched the captain dancing – dancing! – and truly having the time of his life.
Something was seriously weird.
Then she glanced across the room, and saw Doctor Crusher, sat on her own in the far corner of the bar. Deanna decided she would join her.
Making away through the crowd, she reached Beverly's table and said, 'Mind if I join you?'
Beverly didn't reply immediately, her gaze fixed on the far wall, her eyes distant. Then she seemed to come back and looked up. 'Sorry?'
'Mind if I join you?'
'Oh, by all means,' said Beverly, slightly surprised at herself. Troi sat gracefully and looked out across the room again. Then she glanced back at Beverly and noted the distant look again.
'Is everything all right?' asked Troi, her happiness turning to professional concern for her friend.
'Oh yes, everything's fine,' said Crusher, forcing a smile that was patently false. 'Why shouldn't it be? Jean-Luc's going to be married and we're all happy for him.' Her voice had become bitter.
Troi leaned towards her friend. 'What's the matter?'
Crusher sighed and sipped her drink. 'When Jean-Luc and I were captured by the Prytt, three years ago, we had our minds attached by a psychic link. From that link, I learned that he loved me, not just as a friend, and that he'd been afraid to reveal it for fear of betraying Jack's memory.'
'I remember you telling me,' commented Troi.
'But what I didn't tell you was that afterward, Jean-Luc was...' She struggled for the right word, 'interested in pursuing a relationship.'
Troi raised her eyebrows. 'And what did you say to him?'
'Damn me, I rejected him!' Crusher's low voice was full of bitterness and anger, directed at herself. 'I said no!'
'How did he take it?' asked Troi.
'Well enough,' Crusher replied, her voice still angry. 'He must have decided that I just wasn't interested in him at all.'
'The captain didn't make any other... requests?'
'None at all. He was very conscientious about keeping our relationship strictly businesslike.'
Troi shook her head. 'And now he's found his love at last.'
'And I realised that I'd missed a pretty big opportunity,' said Crusher. She tossed back the rest of her drink. 'And now I'm sat here, having to look happy for him – and I am! I'm glad he's found someone he loves and who loves him back just as much. But it's difficult, knowing I threw away a chance like that.'
Troi nodded sadly, and then winced as a stab of anger ran through her. She knew instantly that it wasn't Crusher or herself. Her first thought was that it was Nechayev in the brig, but she had never sensed any emotions from the parasite.
She glanced around the room, until she suddenly found the source. A young man was sat with two other junior officers and all three were wearing security gold. While the others he was sat with were laughing and smiling, he was frowning around the room.
She realised that the dark emotions that she was sensing came from him. Hatred, jealousy, anger. Crusher's voice said, 'Deanna? What's the matter?'
Deanna turned back to Crusher. 'That young man over near the bar. Do you recognise him?'
Crusher looked and said, 'The one with the frown? He's Ensign Regitz, I think. Why?'
'He's not one of Worf's "I take it all far too seriously" officers, is he?'
Crusher failed to suppress a smile at Deanna's remark. 'I don't believe so,' she said. 'I think he's one of Ghia's recruits, actually.'
'I'm detecting very dark emotions coming from him.'
'Some people are never happy. That's usually why they become security officers.'
'No,' said Deanna slowly. 'This is different. It's very specific and directed,' she added.
'At anyone in particular?'
Deanna watched the young man as he looked around the room, and then his head fixed in one place. Deanna followed his gaze.
Captain Picard and Lieutenant Thames were just stepping onto the main floor again, and Deanna immediately worked it out. 'Well, it appears someone else had designs on our young lieutenant.'
Crusher followed her gaze, and when she saw what she was looking at, she whistled softly. 'No wonder you were getting negative emotions.'
Regitz had turned away, but Deanna could feel the rising emotions like a cloying black liquid flowing through his mind. She turned back to Crusher. 'I think Mr Regitz has been upset by Lieutenant Thames' choice.'
Riker's band had now moved into a slightly slower, more seductive tune. Picard leant forward as they danced and said something into Thames' ear, and she smiled and laughed gently. Deanna immediately sensed something, and looked around.
Ensign Regitz had seen this too, and it had evidently been too much for him. He knocked back the rest of his drink, stood, said something to his companions, and strode rapidly from the room, seething anger in his every movement.
Deanna watched him go.
Regitz stalked into his quarters, wishing that he were able to slam the door behind him. He strode into the bathroom of his quarters and stripped off the jumpsuit section of his uniform. Clad in his vest and trousers, he walked back into the living section, and sat down. He glanced around – and his gaze settled on the small portrait of Rosanna Thames on his table.
He reached out slowly, and picked it up. Running his fingers along the portrait of her beautiful smiling face, he felt anger and hatred rise up, mixed with deep grief. His grip became tighter and tighter, until he stood up, and in one movement, hurled the portrait across the room, where it shattered against the wall. The pieces clattered onto the floor, and there was silence for a moment.
The doorknocker bleeped. Regitz ignored it for a moment, and when it bleeped insistently again, he stood up and said, forcing the anger down, 'Who is it?'
'Counsellor Troi, Ensign,' said Deanna's voice. 'Can I come in?'
Regitz leapt to his feet. 'Of course, sir!'
Deanna came through the door to find Regitz stood stiffly at attention. 'At ease, Ensign,' she said with a brief grin. 'I'm here as ship's counsellor, not as a superior officer.'
Regitz relaxed slightly. 'Thank you, sir,' he said. 'Would you like to sit down?'
'Thank you,' said Troi, and she took one of the seats. As she did so, she glanced about the room, and noted the broken portrait on the floor. She decided to ignore it for the moment, and faced Regitz. 'Is everything all right, Ensign?'
'Yes, Counsellor,' said Regitz hurriedly. 'Why shouldn't it be?'
'Well, you did leave the party pretty suddenly.'
'My prerogative,' said Regitz sharply, and Troi detected a burst of anger. It obviously registered on her face, because Regitz abruptly coloured and glanced down, realising to whom he had just spoken. 'Well, I have a duty shift coming up in an hour, and I didn't want to have too much.'
Troi nodded, not believing him for a moment. She got up and stepped across to where the broken remains lay. Regitz made an abortive move to stand, and then simply sat, a tense look on his face.
Deanna bent, picked up the portrait, looked at it, and then glanced at Regitz quizzically. 'How long?'
'A few years,' admitted Regitz ashamedly after a long pause. 'We were friends at the Academy together, although she's a year older than I am. I think I fell in love with her a while back, but I didn't dare tell her. I thought she'd laugh.'
Troi nodded, understanding. 'And then she met Captain Picard?'
'Well, it was before that,' said Regitz. 'She once admitted to me, in confidence – but I don't think it matters now – that she'd been attracted to the captain when she'd met him at the Academy one time.'
Troi nodded again. 'That explains a lot.'
Regitz didn't seem to hear her. He had become distant in the mists of his own recollection. 'She was always there for me. She would always listen. She always cared. I thought that she was the most wonderful person in the universe, and I always dreamed about her.' He looked up at Troi, his expression beseeching. 'There wasn't anyone else. Ever.' It was as if he was feeling that any trace of what he thought to be unfaithfulness to Thames had driven her to marry Picard.
'Did you ever think Rosanna felt the same way?'
Regitz's face fell. 'I don't know. I didn't want to face being rejected. I wish I'd said something!'
Troi looked at him, pity in her eyes. 'It would be in your best interests to come and see me for a few appointments, Ensign. You need to purge yourself of these unhealthy emotions.'
Regitz looked up at her as if seeing her for the first time. 'I'm afraid not, Counsellor,' he said.
Troi frowned. 'Why not?'
'I've been temporarily reassigned to Starbase 629. I'm part of the security complement that will be guarding Admiral Nechayev until Starfleet Intelligence can pick her up. I'm not expected to rejoin the Enterprise for another three months.'
Troi nodded, her face clearing. 'Once you return then, if you feel that you have not purged these feelings, I would still like for you to come and see me.'
Regitz accepted the inevitable with good grace. 'Understood.'
'Thank you, Ensign. And, with your leave, I will return to the party.' Troi turned and left the room.
Regitz's commbadge bleeped. 'Sturgess to Regitz. It's ten minutes to your duty shift begins, Ensign.'
'Understood, Lieutenant,' he replied. 'Do you want me to come early so you can get to the party?'
He could hear the smile in Sturgess' voice. 'That would be extremely considerate of you, Michael,' she replied. Their friendship through Rosanna had made them friends as well.
'I'm on my way down now.'
Leanne Sturgess glanced across at the sleeping body of Nechayev and grinned slightly. She always had had a soft spot for Michael Regitz, although she'd never admit it. Rosanna had guessed, with the intuitiveness that was one of her endearing characteristics. Thames had often teased her friend about it, but Sturgess had known that Regitz would only have to ask if he ever wanted to get together with her.
Maybe he would do while they were assigned together at Starbase 629. Their duty shifts had rarely coincided on the Enterprise.
Regitz came through the door suddenly. Sturgess turned to face him, and smiled. 'Manage to tear yourself away?'
Regitz's face clouded for a moment, and he replied, 'Actually, I left early.'
'Why?' asked Sturgess. 'I thought Rosanna was –'
'I don't want to talk about it, Leanne,' said Regitz, barely controlling his voice. Sturgess shrugged, but relented.
'That's all right, Mike, but if you do, you know where I am, okay?' Her voice held a note of concern.
Regitz smiled slightly. 'Thanks,' he replied, taking his place at the security console. From his position, he could see Admiral Nechayev's body clearly. 'She given you any trouble?'
Sturgess shook her head. 'Slept like a babe. She's not moved since we put her in there.'
Regitz nodded, turning his attention back to Sturgess. 'You get down to the party, Leanne, and have a great time.'
Sturgess smiled and left the room with a cheery ''Bye,' hanging in the air.
Oh yes. She had a way through now. She could see every single facet and detail of his mind as he watched her. He would be an easy target.
She could see every weakness, every flaw in his mind. And, she realised, she had an unparalleled opportunity for double revenge. It would take a while to accomplish, but she would get her revenge.
Leanne Sturgess walked through the door of Ten-Forward to find most of the off-duty staff of the Enterprise congregated in that one room. As she marvelled at how so many people could be fitted into such a tiny space without being cramped for room, Thames suddenly emerged from the crowd, a delighted, but slightly dazed smile on her face. 'Leanne!' she called to her friend.
'Rosanna!' The two women embraced and Thames pulled away first.
'Have you just got here?'
Sturgess nodded. 'Mike Regitz left this very same party in order to give me an extra ten minutes.'
Thames put on a playful expression. 'Maybe he's feeling in the mood at last. You never know.'
'Don't be silly.' Sturgess took a more serious expression. 'Actually, I don't think he's very happy, Rosanna. Can you have a word with him before we go?'
'Go?' Thames frowned. 'Where are you going?'
'We've been reassigned as part of the escort for Nechayev to Starbase 629,' replied Sturgess with a touch of pride. 'We'll be on Starbase for two or three months before we come back to the Enterprise. Word is, there'll be promotions all round afterwards.'
Thames smiled delightedly again, happy for her friends. 'That's wonderful news!'
Sturgess smiled, embarrassed. Then she noticed the ring on Thames' finger. 'That's beautiful,' she said, holding Thames' hand up for a better look.
To her surprise, Thames blushed. 'I know. It's the second most wonderful gift I've ever received.'
Sturgess frowned at her. 'What's the first?'
'Me, I hope,' said a voice behind her. Sturgess turned to find herself looking at Captain Jean-Luc Picard. 'Lieutenant Sturgess, I believe?'
He held out a hand, and Sturgess took it dumbly. 'Yes, sir,' she managed to say.
'Rosanna's told me a lot about you,' he said. 'I understand you've been assigned to escort the prisoner.'
'Yes, sir.'
'Congratulations are in order then. It's a very prestigious mission.'
'Yes, sir.'
'Well, don't let me disturb you,' said Picard. 'I'll be over there.' He kissed Rosanna quickly on the cheek and disappeared into the crowd.
Sturgess turned and looked at Thames again. 'Not only are you marrying the captain, but I've just made a complete and utter fool of myself in front of him.'
Thames shrugged. 'He'll understand. I shouldn't think it would cause him more than one or two sleepless nights.'
Sturgess glared at her friend. 'Very funny.'
Picard stepped up to Riker as the band paused between numbers. Instead of looking tired – Riker had been playing for more than two hours continuously without repeating himself – he looked as though he could go on all night. 'Having fun?' asked the captain mischievously.
'Aye, sir,' said Riker, a broad grin on his face. He leaned closer slightly. 'Geordi's just gone down to Engineering with Data. They say they've got something special planned. Watch out.'
Picard smiled. 'I'd just like to see them try something.'
'Geordi,' said Data plaintively as he trailed his friend through Engineering, 'this is completely illegal. Firing photon torpedoes and phasers this close to the ship and outside of a battle or battle drill situation is strictly against regulations.'
'Relax, Data,' said the Chief Engineer as he stopped at a door that led to one of the Jeffries tubes junctions. He opened the door and faced Data. 'These are modified torpedoes, remember? And the phasers are being powered down to one-third. We'll be okay.' He stepped into the junction and peered up the ladder quizzically.
'Nevertheless, I feel I must protest –'
Geordi turned to face Data, his face annoyed. 'Fine! Protest noted! Now will you give me a hand with this or not?'
Data's face cleared. 'By all means.'
He walked past Geordi and began to climb up the Jeffries tube ladder. Geordi was left shaking his head.
Hedly was the only member of the senior staff on bridge duty during the party, but she had an extra-special reason. 'La Forge to bridge.'
Hedly had been waiting for this moment. 'Go ahead – Geordi.'
There was a pause. 'Don't let it go to your head, Ghia,' said La Forge, his voice neutral. Hedly smiled.
'Bridge here. What can I do for you?'
'Get ready for Picard alpha-1.'
'Understood. On your mark.'
Ensign Truper glanced back at Hedly. 'Picard alpha-1, Commander?'
Hedly got up from the centre seat and made her way to the tactical console. She took over from the crewman there. 'Can you do me a sensor image of the ship, Ensign?' she asked after a moment, not looking at Truper.
Truper frowned, and then nodded. 'I can, but if we launch a probe, it'll give us a better image than if we bounce the sensor image off the shields.'
'Do so then, Ensign.' She smiled. 'Then you'll know what Picard alpha-1 is.'
Truper frowned again, but turned back to his board. 'Probe ready.'
Hedly pressed a key.
The probe shot out from the Enterprise's forward torpedo launcher. Curving away from the Enterprise, it followed it's programming and turned to face the starship, matching her pace. Its sensors came online.
'Display telemetry on main screen,' said Hedly to Truper, who did so. The probe's view of the Enterprise appeared on the screen, and Hedly gazed at it for a moment in satisfaction.
'Ladies and gentlemen,' said Riker. 'If I may have your attention?'
The crowd's buzz of conversation died down slowly as they turned to face Riker expectantly. Riker searched the crowd until he found Picard's and Thames' face. 'In honour of the Enterprise's newest couple –' a rustle of applause shimmered through the room, and Picard gave Riker a scathing look, '- We've had something a little special planned for a while.' Riker tapped his commbadge. 'Computer, display the probe's telemetry on all viewers across the ship. Geordi, we're ready when you are.'
'Acknowledged, Commander. Enjoy the show, everyone.'
Riker indicated the windows giving a full view around the room of the space outside. The crowd clustered around, but allowed Thames and Picard to make their way to the front.
Hedly glanced down. 'Torpedoes armed and ready. Phasers and tractor beams standing by.'
Data looked at Geordi. 'Exterior lights are ready.'
Geordi took a breath. 'Activate exterior illuminations.'
Lights mounted all around the Enterprise suddenly flared into life. Green, red and yellow beams of energy played across the shields, reflecting back in a light show of immense proportions. On the probe's sensors, it was impressive.
And Riker, from within Ten-Forward, who had known what to expect; had planned and prepared it with the senior staff a few hours before, had to admit that it was brilliantly done.
The Enterprise shimmered like a beacon in the darkness of space. The probe was picking it all up and broadcasting it back to the crew, who watched it in dazzled amazement.
The lights shone across Ten-Forward like the Aurora Borealis, shimmering and shifting wildly. Picard had his arm around Thames, and her head was leaning on his shoulder.
Hedly watched the show, waiting for her order. Truper's jaw had dropped the moment the lights had come on. 'Commander Hedly, take it away,' said Geordi's voice suddenly.
'Aye, sir,' she replied, turning her attention to her readout.
This next part of the plan was the most crucial. However, she had got top marks in her year at the Academy for targeting and destruction of targets, and that was with random small objects. These would be planned trajectory projectiles.
The Enterprise spat out a quantum torpedo, which curved away from the inside edge of the shields and zoomed towards the warp nacelles. A phaser beam stabbed out and hit it dead centre. The explosion was a violet burst of energy that lasted a moment and then faded.
A second torpedo curved away from the shields, and shot towards the warp nacelles. A second phaser beam lanced out and destroyed it, this time in a blaze of yellow.
A pair of torpedoes launched, and curved away in opposite trajectories, crossing paths above the saucer section. A pair of phaser beams lanced out and destroyed them in a mix of blue and purple colour.
The crowd laughed and applauded at each explosion. Riker smiled, as his faith in the chief of security did not let him down.
Hedly decided to try something different.
A quantum torpedo shot out and followed its fellows towards the nacelles. In a piece of inspirational targeting, Hedly grazed it with a phaser beam, sending the torpedo tumbling towards the shuttlebay. As Riker looked on in stunned amazement, another phaser beam exploded it less than two metres from the bay's roof.
He tapped his commbadge. 'Riker to Hedly.'
'Bridge here,' said Truper's voice. 'Sir, before you ask, she just took her badge off.' There was a pause and then, 'She also asked if you liked it, sir.'
Riker smiled and shook his head. 'Thank you, Ensign.'
The light show continued for another ten minutes, with Hedly becoming more and more outrageous in her stunts. However, she did not miss a single torpedo that she aimed for.
Her last shot was the most dangerous. If she missed, she could blow a hole in the ship. However, she did not intend to miss.
A torpedo launched and flashed towards the nacelles. A phaser beam followed it, and missed. As the crowd gasped, the beam bounced off the aft shields on a different trajectory, away from the torpedo.
Hedly forgot about the phaser for a moment, and activated a tractor beam. It lashed out and caught the torpedo for a second. The phaser beam arrowed towards it again, and the tractor beam cut out. The torpedo shot forward, the beam missing it by inches.
The torpedo changed course, and now headed directly for Ten-Forward's forward windows. As it grew larger and larger, the crowds, except for Picard and Thames, began to back off a little in worry. The captain and his fiancée watched in amused silence.
The torpedo filled their vision for a moment, and then the phaser beam hit it squarely in the underside. The bright explosion dazzled them all for a moment, and then faded.
While everyone was still dazzled, Riker surreptitiously wiped his brow. Hedly had got slightly carried away there, beyond even what Riker had expected. He would have to have words with her.
He realised that the crowd was applauding. He tapped his badge again. 'Riker to all operatives. Well done. And Commander Hedly?'
'Yes, sir?' she replied, her voice gleeful.
'Don't overdo it next time.'
'Understood. Is that a standing order?'
Riker prepared a witty retort, but Hedly had already cut the channel.
Riker glanced up, and found Picard looking at him, Thames next to him. 'Everything under control, Number One?'
'Perfectly fine, sir,' he replied, voice controlled. Picard raised an eyebrow, and glanced at Thames, his face amused.
'You're repeating yourself,' he said lightly. I'm starting to get sick of this mind-link, thought Riker. I'm also going to find out what she's thinking about me.
'Well, Number One,' said Picard, 'I have had an excellent time. Thank you very much. Extend that to the others as well.'
Riker nodded. 'Thank you, sir.'
'Can you thank them from me as well?' said Thames.
'No problem, Lieutenant.'
'I am afraid that we will have to leave you all now,' said Picard.
'Understood,' said Riker with a leer. Picard ignored it.
'Goodnight, Number One.'
He and Thames made a circuit of the room, saying their farewells and thanks, and then left Ten-Forward.
Riker watched them go, satisfied with the world again. At that moment, Troi came up to him. 'They're off then, I gather,' she said, a satisfied air in her voice as well.
'Yes,' said Riker, smiling at her. 'It's a time for relationships at the moment, it seems.'
'Get lost, Will,' said Troi, with no trace of rancour. She turned and disappeared into the crowd again. Riker laughed once, and then turned to the band.
'Time for one more?'
Picard and Thames stood outside Ten-Forward for a moment. 'Well,' said Picard, stuck for words.
Thames smiled. 'At this point of the evening, it is customary for you to escort me home.'
'Oh, right,' said Picard. 'This way, mademoiselle.'
They walked along the corridor quietly towards Thames' quarters, each lost in his or her thoughts. They had said just about everything they could so far, and now nothing remained except the knowledge of their love.
They arrived at her door, and Picard stopped. They both looked at each other, and Picard eventually opened the door. Thames stood in the doorway, and looked back at him again.
'At this point of the evening,' said Picard, 'it is customary for you to invite me in for coffee.'
Thames smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. 'Fuck coffee.'
They fell into the room.