In the Line of Duty
Chapter 2

Continued from Chapter 1:

"That explains it," Vash chuckled from where she sat on the couch in their living room. Picard was seated in the easychair and had just finished telling her about the Minuet holodeck program. "We really shouldn't take such enjoyment in this. And I guess we should try to be more understanding of Will's feelings."

They looked at each other and both shook their heads saying in unison, "No."

"I never did ask you how your lunch with the Ambassador went?" Picard leaned back in his chair.

"Oh, we had a wonderful time," she exclaimed. "I like Catherine. She has a fantastic sense of humor. In fact, I invited her to join us tonight. I thought it might give her and Will a chance to get to know each other in a relaxed setting."

This piqued Picard's interest, "Is she interested in Will?"

"I think so, but she'll probably play hard to get. I get the impression that she's the kind of woman who enjoys a good game of chase. And we both know Riker excels in the woman-chasing department The real question is whether or not she'll let him catch her. Your second-in-command may be in for more than he's bargaining on," Vash smiled at her husband, her blue eyes sparkling, "Watching this unfold is bound to be entertaining, to say the least."

"And knowing you as I do, you are planning to have ringside seats for the entire show," Picard winked at his wife.

"Damn straight. Besides, it'll do him good." Vash was sounding more amused by the minute. "A little bit of begging and pleading is good for a man."

"I don't recall you playing hard to get. And I certainly don't recall myself begging or pleading," Picard replied in an amused, but slightly indignant tone.

"No," she confessed, "I was never good at playing hard to get. I've never had the patience for it. I do, on occasion, like to be chased and I think you storming a castle definitely constitutes being chased. But your memory is a little selective on the begging and pleading part."

"I freely admit to chasing after you," Picard informed her. He paused, tilting his head and giving her a small meaningful smile. "on numerous occasions. However, I do not beg or plead."

"Sure you do," she assured him good-naturedly. "You do it very sweetly too, in French no less. Does the phrase 'S'il vous plait' ring any bells?"

He nodded, reluctantly conceding the point. That phrase was used in their bedroom quite frequently, and more often than not, by him. He chuckled, "You are one cold-blooded woman, Mrs. Picard."

"And you love me for it," Vash smiled. Then she added, "I just have one last question."

"What's that?" Picard asked.

"Just how did you see a holodeck character that was designed to be a sex fantasy for Will Riker?" Vash asked as she raised an eyebrow and regarded her husband with mock annoyance.

"Uh, well, I . . ." Picard started, wondering how to explain this. The way she said it made it sound pretty kinky. There was a perfectly good explanation, but Vash would never believe something so simple. As he frantically searched for this wonderful explanation, the door chime sounded. He'd never been so grateful to hear that sound. He reached over, took her hand and gently kissed the back of it.

"Saved by the bell," Vash teased.

"Come," Picard called as he stood up to greet their guests.

Beverly walked in followed by Geordi and Data. After greetings were exchanged, Beverly walked over to sit next to Vash while they waited for the rest of the players to arrive.

"So?" Beverly asked Vash in an amused conspiratorial whisper.

"Your diagnosis has been confirmed, Doctor," Vash leaned toward her slightly and replied in the same amused tone. "Although, I doubt that you will believe certain details."

"You knew all along," Picard accused his wife, incredulous. He had heard the last part of their whispered conversation as he came over to where they sat.

"Not until you confirmed the good Doctor's suspicions," Vash smiled sweetly at her husband.

"I'm lost," Geordi said, confused.

"That's quite all right, Geordi. It would be best if you stayed that way," Picard answered him. Turning back toward his wife and chief medical officer he said, "You two should not be allowed to play together. Is there any ship's gossip you ladies don't eventually hear about."

"Jean-Luc," Beverly leaned back in the couch and said sweetly, "You should know by now, that the Romulan Tal Shiar, the Cardassian Obsidian Order and Starfleet Intelligence could learn a thing or two from the ladies on this ship about intelligence gathering. We're just that good."

"I see," he sighed, giving his wife a 'this isn't over look.'

"Well, I should probably get everyone something to drink," Vash said as she stood up, deciding this was a good time to make an escape. While Vash was finding out what everyone wanted, Deanna and Worf arrived.

"Here, let me help you," Picard offered as Vash walked over to the replicator to get the drinks. He got up and followed her. As she handed him several of the drinks, he leaned in close to her and whispered. "After the stunt you pulled earlier, I should . . ."

"You can take a pound of my flesh later, dear," she whispered in his ear so no one else could hear. "Anyway you'd like." Then she kissed him on the cheek.

As Vash passed out the drinks, the door chime rang again. Picard answered the summons, greeting Ambassador Fontaine. As he made the introductions with the rest of the group, Riker arrived. As they all took their seats, Vash got Catherine and Riker their drinks. Picard picked up the cards and began to shuffle them.

"Everybody ante. Vash, your own pile, if you please," Picard called as he dealt the cards. Vash smiled innocently, shrugged, and tossed her own chips into the center of the table.

"So, are you finding everything here to your liking, Ambassador?" Data inquired pleasantly.

"Oh, yes. This is a beautiful ship, and the people here are very nice," Catherine responded, casting a glance across the table at William Riker.

"Data, what do you do?" Geordi asked.

"I believe I am in," Data answered, tossing the requisite amount of chips into the center of the table.

"I'm in as well," added Catherine, doing the same.

The evening went on, with Catherine showing a surprising ability in poker-playing. Several times, she called some of Riker's legendary bluffs. Somehow she always knew when he was bluffing and when he wasn't.

At one point in the evening, Deanna decided to find out why Will was so agitated. 'What's going on with Will?' Deanna thought at Worf.

'I don't know,' Worf thought back.

'Why don't you ask him during our next break,' Deanna suggested.

'I will not intrude on his private life,' Worf responded.

'Yes, you will,' Deanna thought back.

'No, I won't,' Worf thought, somewhat more forcefully.

'Yes!'

"No." Forgetting himself, Worf growled aloud this time. Everyone stopped and looked over at Worf and Deanna. Mentally he growled at her for embarrassing him this way.

"Losing another argument, Worf?" Riker looked over and grinned at the Klingon. He knew from personal experience how taxing those mental arguments with Deanna could be.

"Whatever it is, she's right, Worf," Vash admonished as she reached over to take a drink from Picard's glass.

"Would you like something to drink, dear?' Picard asked, arching an eyebrow.

"No, thanks. I'll just drink yours."

Some time later, Vash reached for Jean-Luc's glass only to find it empty. "Would you like another drink, dear?" she asked pleasantly.

"Would I?" Picard looked back at her.

"Yes, you would and I'll even get it for you. Deal me out of this hand, Geordi. Can I get anything for anyone else?" Vash got up and walked over to the replicator.

As Picard was viewing his cards, Charcoal jumped onto his lap to contemplate his hand along with him. Picard laid his cards, face-down, and set the cat on the floor briefly patting it's head. "Thank you, Charcoal. I believe I can handle this myself."

As Picard picked his cards back up, Vash returned with his drink and settled herself onto his lap. Taking a long drink, she looked down at his cards, thoughtfully. Setting her on her own chair, he patted her head and said "Thank you, dear. I believe I can handle this myself."

"Does anyone else notice a peculiar deja' vu feeling here?" Riker couldn't help but point out.

"Heard any good music lately, Will," Picard tossed a not-so-subtle barb at Riker. "I was listening to this wonderful minuet earlier. I'm sure you would have enjoyed it."

Vash, who had just taken a long drink, began choking uncontrollably. Riker suddenly found his cards to be downright fascinating. Oh God, he thought, how many people on board knew about this?

"Oh really, Captain. Which one was it? Perhaps we could turn it on and enjoy it here and now," Data chimed in helpfully.

Vash made a sudden dash toward the bathroom. Deanna knew that both Vash and Picard were exceedingly amused by something. She also knew that Riker was about to die of embarrassment. The next chocolatefest was sure to be juicy.

"Perhaps later, Data," Picard tactfully rescued a somewhat-ungrateful Riker.

Data shrugged and began shuffling the cards.

"Deal me out of this hand, if you please, Commander Data," Catherine requested, getting up from the table to stretch her legs.

"Of course, Ambassador," Data replied. "Are you in this hand, Vash?"

A much more subdued Vash nodded wordlessly at Data as she took her place at the table. She noticed Riker's hungry gaze follow Catherine around the room.

"Could you want her more?" Vash leaned over to whisper in his ear.

Riker started and tore his gaze away from the ambassador to study his cards.

"Are you in or out, Will?" Beverly asked Riker.

Riker flushed, feeling somewhat guilty at the course his thoughts had taken, and opted out of this hand.

Eventually the hand came down to Picard and Vash. Vash lost the hand to Picard almost gleefully.

"Why are you so pleased to have lost, Vash?" Data was a bit curious.

"When he wins, he buys me something nice. When I win, I have to go and buy myself something nice."

"But, either way, you win," Data summarized, still somewhat bewildered.

"That's the whole point of marriage, Data," Deanna pointed out.

"Welcome to love and marriage, Starfleet-style," Geordi laughed.

Catherine laughed as she gathered up the cards to shuffle.

An hour or so later, Catherine stretched, checked the time, and said "I think I'll call it a night, everyone."

"I think I'll join you," Beverly remarked, getting up out of her chair.

One by one, the game began breaking up. When only Riker, Vash, and Picard were left, Riker slumped into his chair, "she won't go out with me," he whined dejectedly. He let his head fall forward to land in the center of his chips.

Vash reached over and stroked the back of his head, "oh, you poor baby," she sympathized.

Not exactly hearing sympathy from her voice, Riker looked up at Picard. "You told her?" was all he said.

"She can be quite persuasive at times, Number One. I was left with little alternative," came Picard's hedged reply.

Riker let out a huge sigh.

"Maybe you should try serenading her with music, Will." At that innocent suggestion, both men turned to send exasperated glances at her. "Nobody appreciates me, Charcoal," Vash huffed in mock indignation, picking up the cat.

Riker grinned at the sight of Vash commiserating with the cat. His eyes took on an impish glint as he thought about Vash raking the captain over the proverbial coals to extract the information. "You know something, Mrs. Picard," he declared playfully. "You are one cold-blooded woman."

"So I've been told, Commander," she replied rather pleased with herself. She exchanged a quick amused glance with her husband, then turned back to Riker, "Goodnight, Will."

"Goodnight, Vash," he called after her as she walked into the bedroom, then he looked back at the captain. "Goodnight, sir." He rose and made his way out.

"You are sick and sadistic, my dear," Picard remarked, entering the bedroom. "I love you."

.........................................

Vash stirred awake, she laid there for a moment listening to Jean Luc's slow steady breathing. Lifting her head slightly from his shoulder, she looked over at the nightstand to check the time, 0500 hours, they still had a few hours left to sleep. She was about to settle herself back down into her husband's arms, when she noticed the ship had dropped out of warp. Vash knew they should be approaching the Klingon border, but that wouldn't necessitate dropping out of warp. Her eyes went wide with shock at the sight taking form outside the window. Five Romulan Warbirds were decloaking right in front of the Enterprise.

"Jean-Luc," she whispered, as she gently patted his chest with her hand. "Wake up, we're about to go to red alert."

"Is there a problem?" Picard came instantly awake when he heard the shock in her voice. He rolled onto his side to face her, then raised himself up slightly to follow her gaze out the window.

"I count about five," she answered. Then she gasped, quickly recovering as she continued, "make that ten." Five Klingon Battle Cruisers had just decloaked along side the Warbirds.

Before Picard could respond, the red alert klaxon sounded. "Red alert!" Came Riker's voice over the ship's comm. "Bridge to Captain Picard."

"Picard here," Picard instantly answered Riker's page, as he sat up and activated the bedroom lights. "I see them, Commander. I'm on my way, Picard out." As he started to put his uniform on, he noticed Vash staring, transfixed, out the window.

"I've never seen a Warbird before," she breathed, then turned to look at him. "Are those the D'deridex class?" Vash asked referring to the class of Romulan Warbird.

"They are. I'm impressed. I don't suppose you'd like to switch places today," Picard allowed himself a brief moment of humor. The last he would probably get for the rest of the day.

"You pick up a few things being married to the captain of the flagship. But I think I'll decline your job offer, nonetheless," Vash smiled gently at him. He sat down on the edge of the bed to put on his boots. Vash kneeled on the bed and slipped her arms around his waist, hugging him from behind. Laying her cheek against the back of his shoulder, she said, "I guess it would be kind of pointless to tell you to have a good day." He nodded wordlessly. She hugged him a little tighter, feeling his strength through the uniform, "How about telling you I love you."

"That works," Picard replied as he turned around to face her. "I love you." He gave her a quick kiss and then left for the bridge.

Vash watched him leave and then looked down at the cat. "Come on up, Charcoal. I suspect your Daddy has bigger fish to fry than whether or not you're sleeping on his pillow." She turned the lights back off and snuggled up with the cat, trying to ignore the view outside the window.

.......................................

Minutes later Picard quickly walked off of the turbolift and to the center seat. The red alert light continued to flash, but the klaxon had been silenced. "Status report, Number One," he said as Riker rose from the center seat.

"Five Romulan warbirds have just decloaked directly ahead of us. Five Klingon birds of prey have also decloaked off our port and starboard bow."

"Weapons status?" he asked as he sat down.

Worf answered from the tactical station. "All ships have their shields up. Their weapons systems are charged but not locked onto us. Our shields are up. Phasers are on standby, photon torpedoes loaded."

"What's our current position, Mr. Data?"

"Directly on the Federation-Klingon border, sir. We are on the Federation side. All ten vessels are on the Klingon side."

"Sounds like a classic western standoff on the border," Riker commented to Picard.

"Hopefully it won't end the same way," Picard answered. "Mr. Worf, open hailing frequencies. I want to speak to the Klingon commander."

"Yes, sir," Worf answered. He began working the controls at the tactical station. "Hailing frequencies open, sir," he said after a moment. "However, the Romulan commander is answering the hail."

"The Romulan commander?" Picard questioned, standing up and turning toward Worf.

"Yes, sir," Worf responded. "The Klingon commander will not respond."

"Very well. I'll talk to the Romulan commander. On screen."

"Aye, sir," Worf answered.

After a moment the ships on the viewscreen were replaced by the lean, angular features of a Romulan officer. "I am Commander Taibak," the Romulan said. "Is there something I can assist you with?" he asked in an even tone.

"I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. In fact, you can be of assistance," Picard answered just as evenly. "You can begin by putting me in contact with the Klingon commander."

"I am very sorry, Captain, but I'm afraid that will not be possible. The Klingons seem to be having trouble with their transmitters. They have given me the authority to speak for them until their equipment is repaired," Taibak said with extreme civility.

A raised eyebrow was the only betrayal of Picard's shock at such a transparent lie. "Am I to believe that none of the Klingon vessels have communications?" he asked incredulously.

"It would seem that the quality of Klingon military vessels has deteriorated in recent years," Taibak smoothly explained with a slight razor edge to his voice.

"Yes," Picard answered, "so it would seem."

"Possibly due to lack of use?" Taibak ventured.

"I wouldn't know," Picard responded.

At that moment LaForge walked out of the turbolift with Ambassador Fontaine. As he moved to take his bridge station he glanced at the viewscreen and saw the aquiline features of Taibak looking at him. "Oh my God!" he gasped.

"Good morning, Commander LaForge," Taibak said pleasantly. "It's good to see you again. I trust you are feeling well. No nightmares?"

LaForge stood frozen at the turbolift door, unable to respond. Picard responded for him. "You will address any questions to ME!" The dangerously quiet warning was delivered in a voice of iced steel.

"Of course, Captain," Taibak replied in an even tone, with a flicker of a smile. "I sincerely apologize for any discomfort I may have caused Commander LaForge."

Picard made a slashing gesture across his throat.

"Communications closed," Worf stated.

"Mr. LaForge?" Picard asked.

LaForge answered quietly. "That's the Romulan who kidnapped me on my way to Risa and programmed me to kill the Klingon governor. The things he did to me..." LaForge shuddered.

"If you wish, you can work from engineering," Picard offered.

"No, sir," LaForge said. "I don't want him to think that he won."

"I completely understand," Picard said, remembering a similar vacation spent with a very attentive Cardassian. "Man your station."

"Yes, sir," LaForge said. "Sir," he added, "this Romulan is cruel, almost vicious. He'll do things just to see what happens. Everything with him is a test."

"Understood, Mr. LaForge. Open channel, Mr. Worf."

"Channel open," Worf replied.

"Commander Taibak," Picard began formally. "As soon as the Klingons have repaired their communications, please inform them that we are on a diplomatic mission to the Klingon homeworld at the invitation of Chancellor Gowron."

"Most certainly, Captain Picard," Taibak said pleasantly.

"If there is nothing else," Picard stated, "we will be on our way. Good day, Commander." He began to turn from the screen.

"Captain Picard," Taibak said with a well-practiced, embarrassed-sounding laugh, "I'm afraid that will not be possible."

"Why not?" Picard asked, turning back to the viewscreen. He knew it would not be as easy as that, but for a moment he had hoped

"As you are no doubt aware," Taibak calmly elaborated, "the Klingon Empire is experiencing a degree of internal turmoil. As a service to our Klingon friends, the Romulan Empire has several diplomatic advisors on the homeworld to assist them through these difficult times. They would, no doubt, feel," Taibak made a show of looking for the right word, "-uncomfortable - by the presence of a Federation starship in orbit around them," Taibak smiled pleasantly, "As you can see, we are only serving the interests of our countrymen."

Worf began to growl under his breath behind his tactical station

"Commander," came Riker's quiet, but forceful voice. Worf was silent.

"I can assure you that we are no threat to any of your representatives on the Klingon homeworld," Picard continued with a slight edge to his voice. "We are going there at the personal request of Chancellor Gowron. We will complete our assignment."

Taibak's reserve became even colder. "The Klingons here have no knowledge of a request from the Chancellor for you to be in Klingon space. An attempt by you to enter may be regarded as a border incursion and result in a very ugly incident." He paused for a moment, then added, "I would be very distressed to see anything unfortunate happen to your new ship."

"I am touched by your concern for my ship," though Picard knew that Taibak would love nothing better than to see it blown to bits, "but you need not worry about it. It is more than capable of handling any 'unfortunate' occurrences." He paused briefly. "We will remain here until we have contacted Starfleet regarding the current misunderstanding."

"That would be fine, Captain," Taibak responded. "You have nothing to fear from us -- as long as you remain on the Federation side of the border. Good day, Captain Picard. Pleasant dreams, Commander LaForge." The viewscreen switched again to the Romulan task force in front of them.

"He doesn't really expect us to buy that nonsense about the Klingon communications being out, does he?" Riker said with disdain.

"No," Picard said. "It's just a delaying tactic." He looked up at the tactical station. "Mr. Worf, send an immediate message to Starfleet Command. Advise them of our situation and ask them to dispatch other starships to our location." He looked at Riker, "I doubt that even this ship could successfully engage ten battle cruisers."

"Agreed," Riker answered.

"As soon as you've sent the message to Starfleet, send one to Gowron informing him of our situation. He may be able to help."

"Yes, sir," Worf said as he began working the command console.

"Ambassador?" Picard asked. "Any thoughts on our Situation?"

"This is not unexpected," Fontaine supplied. "The only surprise is that they met us right on the border. We were expecting a Romulan response on the homeworld, but not here."

"How would you suggest we handle them?" Riker asked.

"I'm not sure yet," Fontaine admitted. "I would NOT suggest trying to run their blockade alone, however."

"Where's your sense of adventure?" Riker joked.

"Captain," Worf called from his station.

"Yes, Commander."

"Your message has been transmitted to Starfleet, however, all transmissions directed toward the Klingon homeworld are being jammed. I am unable to penetrate the interference."

"There's a surprise," Riker said sarcastically.

"Well," Ambassador Fontaine sighed, "I'm only in the way here. I'll check back later." She walked toward the turbolift, "Anywhere someone can get some good coffee around here?" she asked no one in particular as she left.

Picard took a deep breath. "Continue attempts to penetrate the jamming, Commander. Number One, maintain red alert. You have the bridge. I'll be in my quarters."

"Acknowledged," Riker answered.

Picard took one last look at the Warbirds on the viewscreen and then left the bridge.

...............................................

Picard shook his head as he made his way back to his quarters, it looked as if it was going to be a very long day. Inside his quarters, the lights were still off. Obviously Vash hadn't gotten up yet. Quietly, he walked over to stand in the doorway of his bedroom. Picard's features softened as he saw that Vash and Charcoal were snuggled up together on his side of the bed, sharing his pillow. Vash's eyes fluttered open and she gave him a small smile.

"Hi," Vash whispered to him, then closed her eyes and snuggled into his pillow.

"I'm just here to shower and shave and then I'll be heading back to the bridge," he whispered back as he walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. Gently, he patted a lump under the blanket that he assumed was his wife's hip. "I take it you ladies are finding my pillow comfortable."

"Of course," Vash replied opening her eyes to look up at him. "And I take it, since you're here, that you and whoever is running the show out there," she gestured out the window, "are finished rattling your sabers at each other."

"For the moment anyway," Picard sighed. It was an accurate description of his discussion with the Romulan commander. "The Klingon's won't answer our hail and the Romulan commander has Tal Shiar written all over him. What's your day look like?"

Calling for the lights, Vash sat up and ran her hand through her hair. "This is the week that I give an archaeology refresher course in my lab to the newest ensigns just out of the Academy."

"Most of the science department heads have their assistants do that," he noted.

"Yes, well, I'm also the Captain's wife, the gentle, friendly, approachable face of command in social situations," Vash teased. She was glad to see him actually smile at that. "Besides, I enjoy it."

"If you say so." He leaned over to kiss her cheek, then stood up and walked over to the bathroom.

"You still want to trade jobs today?" she asked just as he reached the bathroom door.

"Around a dozen fresh-faced ensigns running rampant in your lab?" He turned to look at her and leaned against the bathroom doorway.

"Uh-huh," she nodded, smiling.

"I think I'll stick with the Romulans," he chuckled as he went into the bathroom.

"Coward," she called after him.

..............................................

Eight hours later, Picard sat on the bridge still dejectedly viewing the noses of ten hostile warships. His day had not improved much from this morning. "Status report, Mr. Worf?" he asked, idly drumming his fingers on the armrest of the command chair.

"Situation is unchanged, sir," Worf replied for the tenth time in the last two hours.

"Any reply from Starfleet?"

"No sir," Worf grated impatiently. "Nothing yet."

"Have you been able to penetrate the jamming from the Romulan vessels?"

"No sir," Worf growled as patiently as a bored Klingon could.

"Very well," Picard sighed. "Please continue your attempts."

"Fontaine to Captain Picard," came a voice over the intercom.

"Picard here."

"If you are not too busy, I'd like to see you privately for a moment"

Picard shared a brief smile with his chief of security. "I believe I can spare a moment or two, Ambassador. I'll meet you in my ready room."

"Thank you, Captain. I'll be there in five minutes."

...........................................

Five minutes later, Ambassador Fontaine sat across Picard's desk from the Captain. "I've been in contact with Gowron," she said, getting right to the point.

Picard stared at her in shock for a moment, then quickly recovered. "When?"

"I just finished talking to him ten minutes ago."

"How did you manage to accomplish this?" he asked, taken aback that someone was able to do from his ship what he could not do himself.

"Let's just say that being an ambassador has its advantages," she said vaguely. "Sometimes official channels are not always the most efficient."

"I see," Picard left it at that, not wanting to pry any farther into the ambassador's sources. "What did Gowron have to say?"

"I advised him of our situation. He suggested a plan; however, I think Commander Riker should be here while I brief you."

"Picard to Riker," he said into the intercom.

"Riker here."

"Please join me in my ready room."

"On my way," Riker acknowledged. The intercom chirped off.

Several minutes later, Riker was sitting next to Fontaine in Picard's ready room. She quickly caught him up to where Picard was in their conversation. "As I said, Gowron has suggested a way to get around the Romulans."

"At this point, I'm open to suggestions," Picard said.

Fontaine addressed both Picard and Riker with the practiced manner of a diplomat. "Gowron will send a cloaked ship here to rendezvous with the Enterprise. The ship will take Captain Picard and me to Qo'nos. There we can attempt to convince some of the undecided families to support the Federation. We will be safely on Qo'nos while the Romulans still think that we are here waiting for a response from Starfleet."

"What she's suggesting is an extremely dangerous mission for you, sir." Riker said, "She's talking about taking the captain of the ship light years away from the protection of the Enterprise into the center of potentially hostile territory. I can't allow that."

"We don't have a choice, Commander," Fontaine protested, her diplomatic demeanor disappearing. "Gowron is depending on our arrival. Captain Picard is the Arbiter of Succession. His presence will have a powerful impact on the council families."

"His presence will also have a powerful impact on the pro-Romulan factions in the Empire." He turned toward Picard. "Powerful enough to try get you out of the way before you can influence any undecided factions," Riker's voice was going up as his temper got shorter. "The risk is too great. You cannot go to Qo'nos alone, sir."

Fontaine shot back before Picard could answer, all pretense of objectivity gone now. "You would put the safety of one man above the balance of power for the entire quadrant? How selfish can you be?"

"When it comes to the safety of my captain, you haven't seen selfish yet! Nothing comes before the safety of the ship's commanding officer. That is a policy I've practiced even before I became a member of this crew."

"Maybe it's time you updated your policy," Fontaine shot back acidly. "Perhaps your new policy should take the safety of the Federation into account."

"Ambassador," Riker replied, after a pause to compose himself, "my loyalty to the Federation is without question. But this is a suicide mission. You would be wasting the best starship captain in Starfleet, as well as yourself, on a mission that is risky at best. I am not above taking risks when necessary, but only when there is a reasonable chance of success. I don't believe this mission has one."

"You don't," she said. It was a statement, not a question. "What makes you more of an expert than Gowron himself? He's guaranteed our safety."

"Ambassador," Riker pointed out, "If Gowron really has the power to guarantee your safety, why do you have to sneak into the Empire in a cloaked ship in the first place?"

Fontaine was caught without an answer.

"I think you'd be lucky to even make it to Qo'nos. Even if you got there, you both would be in constant danger. If the vote goes against Gowron while you're still on Qo'nos, you are as good as dead."

"Thank you, Number One," Picard finally entered the debate. He addressed both of them. "I agree with Commander Riker that this mission is very dangerous and highly inadvisable." Riker looked at Fontaine with triumph in his eyes. "Ambassador, advise Gowron that I will be traveling to Qo'nos as soon as he can send a ship."

"Sir?!" Riker half shouted in shock.

"Number One," Picard said quietly, "everything you said is absolutely correct. And, as you pointed out, my presence on Qo'nos will not ensure Gowron's success; however, my absence will guarantee his failure. If there is any chance at all of influencing the Council vote, I must do everything in my power do that."

"Sir, I must protest this mission in the strongest possible terms. Your place is on the bridge of your ship, not on the Klingon homeworld debating Klingon politics." Riker knew he was coming dangerously close to insubordination.

"Your protest is noted, Commander," Picard said frostily. "My mind is unchanged. Your job after I leave is to keep the Romulans busy while I am enroute to Qo'nos."

"Yes, sir," Riker acknowledged, his anger reigned tightly. Fontaine stayed carefully neutral in what had suddenly become a power struggle between captain and first officer. "Is there anything else, sir?" Riker asked formally.

"Nothing more, Commander," Picard answered. "Dismissed."

Riker stood up and turned to the door, throwing a dagger glance at Fontaine in the process. Picard and Fontaine were silent until Riker was out of the room.

"When will you contact Gowron again?" Picard asked

"I don't need to," Fontaine answered. "His ship will be here in eighteen hours."

"You already accepted the mission?" Picard asked incredulously.

"I knew you would accept."

"In the future, Ambassador, I would like to speak for myself," Picard said coldly.

"Of course," she answered, somewhat surprised at his reaction.

"If there is nothing else, I must prepare to leave."

"Nothing else, Captain." Fontaine stood and left Picard alone with his thoughts.

...............................

TBC