HOW LITTLE WE KNOW
A "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Fan-Fiction Story - by Vicky

PART VI

INT. THE BLUE NOTE – Continuous

DEANNA TROI, WILL RIKER, BEVERLY CRUSHER and WESLEY CRUSHER sit around their table, staring in the direction of the club's bar. Deanna slowly rises from her chair, a smile forming on her lips.

WILL RIKER
(Returning his attention to Deanna.)
Cadet Gaireth?

Deanna seemingly ignores Riker's question while she pushes her chair against the table.

DEANNA TROI
(To no one in particular.)
I'll be back.

Deanna begins walking towards the bar. The others at the table follow her with their eyes.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(To Riker.)
That's the only Elyse I know.
(Smirking.)
And she's not a cadet anymore, Will.

WILL RIKER
Well ... yeah.

Crusher shifts his gaze between Riker and Beverly.

WESLEY CRUSHER
(Confused expression.)
Who are you guys talking about?

BEVERLY CRUSHER
Elyse Gaireth. She spent a week serving on the Enterprise when she was a third year cadet at the Academy. But that was, what ...
(Thinking a moment.)
... five or six years ago? I don't think I'd even recognize Elyse now.

WILL RIKER
(Taking a sip of his drink.)
She and Deanna have kept in touch ever since. They've actually become pretty good friends over the years.

Deanna approaches the bar and nonchalantly stands next to a young woman (ELYSE GAIRETH). Gaireth is seated on a stool carrying on a conversation with the BARTENDER.

DEANNA TROI
(Gently nudging Gaireth's elbow.)
You're the last person I expected to run into here.

Gaireth pauses mid-sentence and quickly turns her head to look at the woman next to her.

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Sliding off her stool.)
Counselor!

The women share a warm hug. When they step back, Deanna gives Gaireth a small frown.

DEANNA TROI
Elyse, I've told you time and again to call me Deanna.
(Playfully hitting Gaireth's shoulder.)
When are you going to learn it's okay to actually use my first name?

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Shy smile.)
Sorry. Chalk it up to Academy training and the fact that I come from a Starfleet family. I've always been taught to address adults "properly."

DEANNA TROI
(Tilting her head.)
But we're friends ... and that usurps protocol in this case.

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Changing the subject.)
So what are you doing in a place like this ... Deanna?

Deanna smiles at Gaireth's use of her name.

DEANNA TROI
(Gesturing towards her table.)
We're visiting Beverly. Will's a huge jazz fan, hence the reason we chose this club.
(Turning to Gaireth.)
Would you like to join us?

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Nodding.)
Absolutely.
(To the bartender.)
See ya 'round, La'dar.

The bartender waves at Gaireth before returning to his work behind the bar. Deanna puts an arm around Gaireth's shoulders as they cross the room.

DEANNA TROI
(As an after-thought.)
I'm not interrupting a date or anything, am I? I didn't even consider the fact you might be here with someone.

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Waving off Deanna's concern.)
Not at all. Well, I am here with someone but he's busy at the moment.

Deanna glances around the club, trying to spot the person Gaireth is referring to.

DEANNA TROI
(Dropping her arms.)
Invite him over.

Gaireth points to the BAND onstage.

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Smiling.)
Kinda hard when he's the band's drummer.

Deanna watches the band for a moment then nods in approval.

DEANNA TROI
(Eyes twinkling.)
Nice choice.

The women curtail their light laughter as they near the table. Deanna acknowledges each officer in turn.

DEANNA TROI
I'm sure you remember Will and Beverly.
(Moving behind Crusher.)
And this young man is Beverly's son, Wesley.

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Smiling.)
Captain Riker. Doctor Crusher.
(Extending a hand to Crusher.)
Nice to meet you, Wesley. I'm Elyse.

Crusher returns Gaireth's handshake.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(To Gaireth.)
Doctor Crusher is too formal ...

DEANNA TROI
(Holding up her hands.)
I've already gone over that with her.
(Eyeing Gaireth.)
We'll get her straightened out before long.

Riker rises from his chair and spins it around.

WILL RIKER
Have a seat, Elyse.

Gaireth and Deanna sit while Riker retrieves an additional chair from a nearby table. He positions himself between Deanna and Crusher.

DEANNA TROI
(To Riker.)
Elyse was just telling me that she knows the band's drummer.

Everyone at the table looks toward the stage. The drummer (CHRISTOPHER KENNA) happens to be in the middle of a solo, showcasing his talent.

WILL RIKER
Wow.

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Still watching Kenna.)
Yeah, especially considering the band's only been together for three months.

BEVERLY CRUSHER
(To Elyse.)
Are you going to be in San Francisco long or is this just a quick visit?

ELYSE GAIRETH
Actually, I didn't even plan on being planetside until the Spartan was scheduled to be in the sector two months from now.
(Crossing her legs.)
Starfleet decided to reassign me though. Until they pick which ship could benefit most from my presence, I'm spending time with my mom.

WESLEY CRUSHER
Any idea which ship you might be reassigned to?

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Shaking her head.)
Nope. It'd be cool if they moved me to the Neptune so I could be closer to my dad, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

The band ends their current song and the musicians take a bow to acknowledge the applause from the club PATRONS. Kenna holds his drumsticks behind his back and addresses the crowd.

CHRISTOPHER KENNA
Thanks folks. We're gonna be taking a short break but we'll be back. Continue talking amongst yourselves until then.

The band starts stepping down from the stage. Gaireth waves a hand above her head to get Kenna's attention. Kenna spots her and crosses the room, accepting handshakes and comments from various individuals he passes.

CHRISTOPHER KENNA
(Putting his hands on Gaireth's shoulders.)
How'd we do?

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Twisting her head to look at Kenna.)
You were wonderful, as always.
(Pauses.)
Christopher Kenna, I'd like to introduce you to Will and Deanna Riker, Doctor Beverly Crusher and her son, Wesley. I worked with them when I was in the Academy.

CHRISTOPHER KENNA
Elyse has told me all about the Enterprise. It's great to finally meet some of the officers she worked with.
(Shaking everyone's hand.)
Feel free to call me Chris ...
(Holding up his drumsticks.)
... or Sticks.

Gaireth slides over on her chair, allowing Kenna to share it with her. Kenna places one hand on the table and the other on Gaireth's knee.

CHRISTOPHER KENNA
(Leaning forward.)
Who wants to be the first to share an embarrassing story?

The officers at the table exchange surprised expressions. Smiles and laughter slowly replace the shock.

ELYSE GAIRETH
(Slightly blushing.)
Christopher ...

CHRISTOPHER KENNA
(Mischievous grin.)
Oh come on, Elyse. This is the best way to break the ice with new people. It puts everyone on a level playing field.
(Doing a drumroll on the table.)
Once you have the most embarrassing stuff out of the way, the rest is easy.

Riker moves his drink aside and puts an elbow on the table. He gives Deanna a sideways glance, he eyes sparkling.

WILL RIKER
(To Kenna.)
Sounds like fun. I'm game.

CHRISTOPHER KENNA
(Gesturing in Riker's direction.)
Do regale us with your tale, Mister Riker.

Riker begins talking as the others sip their drinks and chuckle at the story.

– End Part VI –

All "known" characters (c) Paramount, Star Trek: The Next Generation and all other relevant parties. This story was written for the enjoyment of other TNG fans and is not meant to infringe upon the copyrights of any of the aforementioned individuals.