Disclaimer: I will disprove the popular theory that I own Trek now. Learn to accept this fact, because I am running out of ideas for the disclaimer.

Deanna sat down. She looked at them formatively. "Well what?" she asked. "Well...,"

Amanda looked into Wesley's eyes for strength, and wasn't surprised when she didn't find any,

"In an alternate universe, Beverly Crusher is my mom." "I sensed a lot of hostility on your part

when you said 'Crusher.' Why?" Deanna asked with a small guess as to why. "That isn't her

last name. It doesn't fit anymore, or at least not to me it doesn't," Amanda said in disgust.

"Who did she marry?" Deanna queried, realizing with a grin who it may be. "Captain Picard, all

right? She married Captain Picard," Wesley interjected. It was obvious that the issue of

different fathers bothered both of them. "Anyway," Amanda continued, "I was born nine months

after the Tsiolkovksy incident." Deanna couldn't hide her smile. "Upon finding out about my

mother's unexpected pregnancy, my father proposed to her, and she accepted. I have come to

terms with the fact that I am, well how to put it, an accident; a slight consequence after a moment

of erroneous behavior." "Well," Deanna said with a worried frown, "you have dealt with your

situation nicely. I must inform Captain Picard of your true roots now, I'm afraid." "NO!" both

Wesley and Amanda shouted at the same time, attracting attention from the other tables. "It will

alter things here immensely if you do," Wesley pointed out in a quieter tone. "Besides,"

Amanda said, "If they find out, will he propose to her again?" Deanna pondered their words for

a moment and said, "Maybe a boost is all that they need...I always feel strong emotion from

the two of them, all the time." "It's not the right boost, though. I couldn't leave knowing I

screwed up this galaxy," Amanda whispered. "Then at least let me tell Wil. He's my Imzadi; he

will find out eventually," Deanna asked. "You can tell Commander Riker," Wesley said. "Just

tell him to keep the secret." "Alright," Deanna said, "and Amanda, would you come to my

quarters later? I want to make sure that you're okay." "Fine," Amanda said while crossing her

arms.

Beverly looked at Jean-Luc; and he was a mess. She sat on the couch, right next to him, and

said, "Jean-Luc, what's wrong?" He replied, "Beverly, do you know what happened today?"

"What," she asked, voice full of concern. "That little girl, the orphan, hugged me," he mumbled.

"And you know what?" he asked, making Beverly lean in closer, "it felt right. It felt right to

hold a child in my arms. I suddenly realized on all I have missed out on, all I gave up just for my

career." "Jean-Luc," she said in motherly tone, "everyone makes a decision the moment they

enter the Academy NOT to put a family first. Every officer eventually has regrets; but we have

to remember that we chose our lives." He looked into Beverly's eyes, and she into his. For a

minute they both sat like that, looking into each other's souls. Then, without warning, she kissed

him on the cheek. Grabbing his hands, she said, "Jean-Luc, I sometimes feel that I wasn't

concerned enough about Wesley. He grew up without a father, and I knew from the moment

Jack died I wouldn't be able to fill that role. I've felt guilty for a long time knowing that I

couldn't be his entire life...and yet he found his way to adulthood. Still, I wonder

sometimes if he was ever satisfied, or if he held back from me. I'll never know." Now Beverly

was almost in tears, and Jean-Luc held her. In that moment, understanding and a renewed part of

their friendship, lost after Anij, reopened itself.

"Really, Deanna, you expect me to believe that?" Wil Riker said incredulously. "Yes," she

replied while putting her arms around his neck. "How?" Wil asked, now intrigued but still

doubtful. "Alternate timeline. She regrets being here, Wil. She feels guilty about making a

mistake." "So that's how Data got here," he thought aloud. "She's coming today," Deanna said.

The chime rang. "That must be her now," Wil said. Deanna said, "Come in." Amanda walked

in, face changing when she saw Wil Riker there. "Oh, you're here," she intoned. "I'll leave, if

you two want to be alone," Wil rebounded. "No," she answered quickly, "it's just, well, you

know...and that alone is kind of mind boggling. I mean, here, they aren't in

love...here, they don't have anyone except Wes, who isn't much of a compensation."

Deanna and Wil both exchanged looks. "Why do you feel the need to do better than Wes?"

Deanna asked. "Because if I don't, I'll never be recognized by my parents. They only come

home to make sure I'm not destroying circuits with some weird experiment. I have to EARN

their respect," Amanda said angrily. Deanna faltered. She had dealt with sibling rivalry before

but never like this. Amanda was a girl with two very successful parents and an even more

prestigious brother. She had to live up to expectations. Deanna put a plan into motion, saying,

"You don't HAVE to be better than Wes at what he does. Find your own interests." Amanda

brightened, saying, "Well, I have been playing field hockey lately. My parents have no idea

why, and I do work out a lot, so I can keep my temper under wraps; maybe I should try to find

other things that I like." The idea that she didn't have to be in any shadow comforted her.

Deanna could see it in her face; she was free. "Hey, do you want to go to a holonovel with me?"

Amanda asked the Rikers. Both of them halted. "Why certainly," Deanna said kindly, "Which

one will we be going to?" "Dixon Hill," Amanda said with confidence, "I know that one like the

back of my hand." All three left the Riker quarters.

How long they had sat in each other's embrace, he did not know. All he knew was that he was

enjoying it. He could feel her chest rise and fall in perfect time with his. 'This is perfect,' he

thought, mind filled with ecstasy. Beverly could feel the emotions passing through him. She

instantly recognized them; they were identical to hers. Neither wanted to kill the moment by

saying anything, it was as if thoughts were porcelain, and if spoken they would break. Jean-Luc

gathered his courage and finally said, "Beverly," but he was overtaken by emotions before he

could say anymore. She turned to let her eyes meet his. "What?" she asked, feeling for a

moment he was going to make it stop. Once again, they both stopped and gazed at each other.

Slowly, they leaned into one another. THEY KISSED. As if a release, they became instantly

comfortable with each other. Not disturbing the "theme" of the first kiss, they kissed lightly for

several minutes. Soon, the mood was changing: Beverly's hand found its way into his shirt and

his hands were in her shirt, encountering her bra and trying to get rid of it. Their kisses were

getting more passionate as well. Her other hand, meanwhile, was pushing him closer to her, her

fingers playing with the hairs on the back of his neck. They were rudely interrupted when Worf

called, saying, "Sir, may I run a security inspection? I need your clearance." Pulling himself

from Beverly, he declared with a gasping voice, "Certainly Mr. Worf." Then he tossed his

combadge across the room, paying attention to more important things.

"Isn't this great?" Amanda asked the Rikers. "It's an accurate description of Dixon Hill. I

absolutely LOVE this dress, don't you agree?" She was wearing a dress that represented the

fashion of the era. Deanna was too, and Wil looked excellent in a suit. "Yes," Deanna said

distractedly, "I do like this dress...I can understand why the women wore these." Amanda

noticed that she was looking at Wil with pure lust in her eyes. He seemed to respond, and in that

moment Amanda remembered that they were Imzadi. "Do you want to leave?" Amanda asked.

"Oh," Deanna said, "sorry. I just was thinking..." "You know that I have seen you look

like you do once before," Amanda said, "It was when two people, who just happened to be my

parents, kissed." Wil laughed and looked at Amanda. "She can be affected by strong emotion. I

didn't know that many people figured it out." Before anything else could be said, Worf called

Wil, saying, "I cannot make contact with either the Captain or the Doctor. Should I get them?

They are both in Captain Picard's quarters." Amanda smiled broadly. 'They do love each

other.' Amanda spoke up, "Perhaps I should get them. After all, I should be used to finding

them, uh, together." Wil agreed and told Worf not to worry about it, he would take care of the

situation. Amanda left the holodeck.

Amanda approached the door. 'Thank God these walls are soundproof,' Amanda thought with

relief. Walking in, she saw them on the couch. She knew what intercourse was, and what they

were doing wasn't that. What they were doing is what most people she knew did on their first

date. Smiling, she tried to think of how to interrupt them without letting them know she had seen

anything. She walked out and rang the chime. It took a few moments, but the word "come"

came from inside the quarters. She entered, saying, "Worf was wondering what was

wrong...Wil tactfully advised Worf that nothing was wrong." "Why are you here?"

Beverly asked from the couch. "I had a feeling that if Wesley came, he would pass out." "How

do you know Wes?" Beverly asked. "I met him in the hall," Amanda lied. "He told me about

himself, and he just didn't seem the type to find hid missing mom." Both Jean-Luc and Beverly

looked at the intruder. "Sorry if I interrupted anything," Amanda said very quietly. "I'll leave." And

with that, Amanda left.