Chapter 4:
The following day, Lieutenant LaForge came to pick Lenore up from school. He was surprised to find her standing there waiting for him, with a huge grin upon her small face.
"Geordi! Geordi!" She exclaimed excitedly. "I made the Captain an invitation! Look!"
Geordi took the invitation from her, and smiled as he noted all the detail she'd put into it. "It's very nice, Kiddo. I'm sure the Captain will love it."
"Can I go give it to him, Geordi? Can I? Please?" Lenore asked hopefully.
"Lenore, you know children aren't allowed on the Bridge."
"Please? Just this once? I won't take very long." Lenore pleaded.
Geordi sighed. "Let me ask." He hit his communicator then. "This is Lieutenant LaForge to Commander Riker."
"Riker here. What is it LaForge?"
"There's been a request that someone come to the Bridge to give the Captain an invitation to a very important occasion," Geordi informed him. "Any chance permission will be granted?"
"I'll give Ensign permission to come to the Bridge – just this once – provided she not be too long."
"She's assured me she won't be, Commander."
"All right, Lieutenant. Bring her on up."
"Thank-you Commander."
"Highly amused by it Lieutenant. Riker out."
"Well, guess we're going up to the Bridge," Geordi told Lenore, smiling at her.
"Yes! Thank-you!" Lenore exclaimed happily, hugging him.
"Don't thank me, thank Commander Riker. He's the one letting you go up, not me. I'm just taking you there, so you don't get lost."
Lenore chattered to him happily as they rode the elevator up to the Bridge. Upon reaching the Bridge, she went silent, as she knew the Captain didn't want any children up there.
Geordi led Lenore out of the elevator, and stopped her when the Captain spoke.
"LaForge, what are you and Ensign doing up here? You know my rule about no children on the Bridge."
"Permission has been granted just this once, Captain," Geordi answered.
"And just who gave this permission?" Captain Picard demanded.
"I did, Captain," Commander Riker spoke up. "Ensign has something important she would like to give you."
"Alright. Ensign, to my quarters; I shall be there momentarily."
Lenore nodded, and headed for his quarters, having had been there numerous times before – though this would be the first time she would go there and not be punished for something she had done wrong.
Shortly after Lenore had gone into his quarters, Captain Picard entered, and sat down in his seat. "Now, what is it you care to give me, Ensign?"
Lenore smiled softly, as she slid the invitation across his desk. "This..." She answered quietly.
The Captain picked it up, nodding his approval. "This has been done very nicely, Ensign. I enjoy the detail you have placed upon it."
Lenore gave him another small smile. "Thanks..."
Captain Picard read what the invitation was about, and nodded again. "I would like very much to attend this 'Parent Day', as you are calling it."
"Really?" Lenore said shocked. "You'll come?"
"That is what I said, is it not?"
Lenore jumped up from her seat, and ran around the desk to hug him tightly. "Thank-you!" She squealed happily.
"You are welcome," Captain Picard replied, giving her an awkward hug. "Now, I suggest you let Lieutenant LaForge take you back to your quarters. There should be some new things in there for you to play with."
Lenore gave him another hug, though this one was quick, then burst out of his quarters excitedly. "HE SAID YES!" She exclaimed, letting everyone on the Bridge know, all had gone well.
"That is very nice, Ensign," Commander Riker smiled. "Now, run along, so we can get back to our work."
"Yes, Commander!" Lenore grinned, then ran to Geordi and grabbed hold of his hand. "C'mon Geordi! The Captain said I've got toys waitin' for me!"
Geordi laughed, as did Commander Riker, and let Lenore lead him back into the elevator. He took her to her quarters, and watched her squeal at the sight of new toys. He opened a few of them up for her, then he left her to play, as he had to get back to his work.
Lenore played with her new toys right up until bedtime, then she got into her pajamas and crawled into her bed. She curled up under the covers, hugging her Chipmunk close, and smiled to herself as her nightlight shone brightly, illuminating scary objects that were in her room.
Three days later it was 'Parent Day' – the day Lenore had been waiting for, so that she could give the Captain her gift. She'd given him an invitation to the event, and he had promised her he'd be there. She couldn't wait! She was finally going to be able to join in and play, like the rest of the kids! She'd grown sick – jealous too - of watching them all play games with their parents on these types of days.
She sat quietly at her table, watching as parents of the other children began to arrive, her dinosaur sitting in front of her awaiting the Captain. Every time the doors would open, she'd look up at them hopefully, but each time was disappointed, as the Captain never came through them.
Soon, it was time for the games to begin, as all the parents had received their clay figurines that had been made for them by their children. The teacher glanced over Lenore's way, and shook her head sadly. She'd been amazed when the young girl had behaved for her after the incident her first day back to class. But, of course, it had probably only been because the small girl had been excited that the Captain had agreed to come as her guest for the day. She started towards the table, to ask the child if she'd like to play the games as well, but decided against it, as she figured the child would probably say no anyway.
Lenore watched as the teacher turned and walked back to everyone else, sitting on the carpet with the others, to play a game. Her eyes welled up with tears, which she immediately blinked back – she was hurt that no one was going to ask her to join in – and all because she had no parent with her whatsoever. She turned her gaze back at the schoolroom door and glared at it angrily.
While Lenore sat waiting for him in the schoolroom, Captain Picard was stuck negotiating a peace treaty with an alien race. He'd been all set to go join her, when the hail had come in, that a meeting was needed immediately, in order to keep the peace. He hadn't even had time to contact the teacher, to let Lenore know he'd be unable to make it, as something had come up.
"Yes, that is what was agreed upon before, Dredge," Captain Picard stated, as he paced the room. "One sack of corn a month from them, and one sack of wheat from you, to keep the people from fighting."
Dredge began to argue with him then, stating that they had never agreed upon such a ridiculous thing. He refused to believe that they would have to give up any of their wheat, in order to refrain from war.
In the meantime, Lenore still sat at her table, awaiting the Captain's arrival. She'd never felt so alone before in her life. She watched as everyone else played games, laughed, and just had plain old fun being together. She eyed the dinosaur she had made for the Captain warily, before finally smashing her fist down upon it angrily.
"I hate you!" She hissed at it. She then angrily tore the card she had made in half, and scowled at it. Then she got up, leaving her smashed creation behind, along with the – now ripped - card she'd made, and snuck out of the schoolroom altogether. Once out of the schoolroom, she ran back to her quarters to cry, as she'd nowhere else to go. She flopped down upon her bed, and sobbed herself to exhaustion.
Finally, the Captain had finished with Dredge and the other council members, and was able to head for the schoolroom. Upon reaching the room, he cautiously entered, and noted it seemed the child he was looking for was missing.
"Excuse me," Captain Picard began, interrupting the fun and games taking place over on the carpet. "Has anyone seen Lenore?"
"She was sitting at her table," the teacher answered, not even bothering to look over.
Captain Picard nodded, and headed for the table that only had one piece of clay on it. Once he reached the table, he realized that whatever it was that had been created had been smashed. He also noticed that the card had been ripped in half as well. He sighed heavily, as he shook his head. He wasn't pleased with the fact that by the looks of it, everyone had just forgotten the child, as he hadn't showed up on time.
He left her smashed and ripped up things there, and left the schoolroom to go look for her. He knew just by seeing her things that she had grown mad and left the room despite the rules. He contacted Lieutenant LaForge first.
"LaForge here. Yes, Captain?"
"Have you seen Ensign at all today, Lieutenant?"
"Not since breakfast, Sir. Why? What's wrong?"
"I was unable to arrive at the schoolroom on time, due to more important matters that involved keeping peace in the federation."
Geordi sighed. "Have you tried her quarters, Sir? Or the haul-o- deck?"
"No. But I shall look in those places next. If you should see her Lieutenant, inform me immediately."
"Yes, Sir."
"Picard out."
Captain Picard checked the haul-o-deck, and when he didn't find her there, he decided he'd best check her quarters. He entered her quarters and looked about. Needless to say, he was shocked beyond belief, to find her sound asleep on her bed – her face tearstained. He gave a small smile, as he neared the bed to cover the child up. He placed the blue blanket at the foot of the bed over her, and tucked it in around her so that she wouldn't wind up cold.
After having had covered Lenore up, he returned out to the main area of her quarters. He gave a small laugh when he realized the toys he'd gotten for her to play with, were strewn about everywhere. He'd never seen a messier child than her – but that was understandable, as children he usually saw, were with parents – Lenore had none, so she had never been taught to keep things tidy. He shook his head as he removed a few of the toys from the couch, and sat down to take a break. He'd a few more hours off, as he'd stated he was going to Lenore's 'Parent Day'.
Soon enough, Lenore had woken up and come out of her room. She was surprised to find the Captain sitting on the couch, fiddling with her one toy. She cautiously, and quietly, went over to where he sat. "Captain?"
Captain Picard looked up. "Yes, Ensign?"
"How come you never came?" Lenore asked him softly, hurt evident in her green eyes. "I waited an' waited...."
"I had duties thrown upon me last minute, that could not wait, Ensign. I did try to be there on time, but other matters kept me busy and unable to attend."
Lenore silently climbed up into his lap, something she never did – she was known to climb into Geordi's lap, but that was it. She only ever climbed into the Captain's lap if she wanted to use his communicator, or if she was in trouble – not because she was sad. She rested her head upon his chest.
"Nobody asked me to play," she whispered to him sadly. "Teacher was gonna, but she turned an' left me there to sit 'lone."
The Captain hugged her awkwardly. "I am sorry they forgot you Ensign. That was not right, and I shall talk to them about that. All of them."
"They don't care...." Lenore told him. "They got kids to play with, an' hug, an' stuff. I'm a nobody – I just – don't matter."
"Ensign," Captain Picard began, making her look up at him. "You do matter. If you didn't, I don't think I would have allowed you to return to the Enterprise for a visit. I only let those who matter return to my ship, so you do matter, despite what they may have told you."
Lenore gave him a teeny smile, and laid her head back upon his chest, snuggling into him. She sighed. "I wrecked my dinosaur...." She said softly. "I got mad an' ruined him an' my card...."
"You can always make another one," the Captain stated. "I will find you some clay of your own to play with, here in your quarters."
Lenore nodded, and closed her eyes, as she was she exhausted from all the unwanted crying she had done earlier.
The Captain let her sit with him, until asleep. He then carried her back to her bed, and covered her up once more. He'd decided to let her sleep in her blue jeans and yellow T-shirt, as he figured she'd probably be up again later and change into her pajamas then. After all, it was only four-o'clock.
Once he had gotten her settled, he left to once more return to his duties, as ship Captain.
The following day, Lieutenant LaForge came to pick Lenore up from school. He was surprised to find her standing there waiting for him, with a huge grin upon her small face.
"Geordi! Geordi!" She exclaimed excitedly. "I made the Captain an invitation! Look!"
Geordi took the invitation from her, and smiled as he noted all the detail she'd put into it. "It's very nice, Kiddo. I'm sure the Captain will love it."
"Can I go give it to him, Geordi? Can I? Please?" Lenore asked hopefully.
"Lenore, you know children aren't allowed on the Bridge."
"Please? Just this once? I won't take very long." Lenore pleaded.
Geordi sighed. "Let me ask." He hit his communicator then. "This is Lieutenant LaForge to Commander Riker."
"Riker here. What is it LaForge?"
"There's been a request that someone come to the Bridge to give the Captain an invitation to a very important occasion," Geordi informed him. "Any chance permission will be granted?"
"I'll give Ensign permission to come to the Bridge – just this once – provided she not be too long."
"She's assured me she won't be, Commander."
"All right, Lieutenant. Bring her on up."
"Thank-you Commander."
"Highly amused by it Lieutenant. Riker out."
"Well, guess we're going up to the Bridge," Geordi told Lenore, smiling at her.
"Yes! Thank-you!" Lenore exclaimed happily, hugging him.
"Don't thank me, thank Commander Riker. He's the one letting you go up, not me. I'm just taking you there, so you don't get lost."
Lenore chattered to him happily as they rode the elevator up to the Bridge. Upon reaching the Bridge, she went silent, as she knew the Captain didn't want any children up there.
Geordi led Lenore out of the elevator, and stopped her when the Captain spoke.
"LaForge, what are you and Ensign doing up here? You know my rule about no children on the Bridge."
"Permission has been granted just this once, Captain," Geordi answered.
"And just who gave this permission?" Captain Picard demanded.
"I did, Captain," Commander Riker spoke up. "Ensign has something important she would like to give you."
"Alright. Ensign, to my quarters; I shall be there momentarily."
Lenore nodded, and headed for his quarters, having had been there numerous times before – though this would be the first time she would go there and not be punished for something she had done wrong.
Shortly after Lenore had gone into his quarters, Captain Picard entered, and sat down in his seat. "Now, what is it you care to give me, Ensign?"
Lenore smiled softly, as she slid the invitation across his desk. "This..." She answered quietly.
The Captain picked it up, nodding his approval. "This has been done very nicely, Ensign. I enjoy the detail you have placed upon it."
Lenore gave him another small smile. "Thanks..."
Captain Picard read what the invitation was about, and nodded again. "I would like very much to attend this 'Parent Day', as you are calling it."
"Really?" Lenore said shocked. "You'll come?"
"That is what I said, is it not?"
Lenore jumped up from her seat, and ran around the desk to hug him tightly. "Thank-you!" She squealed happily.
"You are welcome," Captain Picard replied, giving her an awkward hug. "Now, I suggest you let Lieutenant LaForge take you back to your quarters. There should be some new things in there for you to play with."
Lenore gave him another hug, though this one was quick, then burst out of his quarters excitedly. "HE SAID YES!" She exclaimed, letting everyone on the Bridge know, all had gone well.
"That is very nice, Ensign," Commander Riker smiled. "Now, run along, so we can get back to our work."
"Yes, Commander!" Lenore grinned, then ran to Geordi and grabbed hold of his hand. "C'mon Geordi! The Captain said I've got toys waitin' for me!"
Geordi laughed, as did Commander Riker, and let Lenore lead him back into the elevator. He took her to her quarters, and watched her squeal at the sight of new toys. He opened a few of them up for her, then he left her to play, as he had to get back to his work.
Lenore played with her new toys right up until bedtime, then she got into her pajamas and crawled into her bed. She curled up under the covers, hugging her Chipmunk close, and smiled to herself as her nightlight shone brightly, illuminating scary objects that were in her room.
Three days later it was 'Parent Day' – the day Lenore had been waiting for, so that she could give the Captain her gift. She'd given him an invitation to the event, and he had promised her he'd be there. She couldn't wait! She was finally going to be able to join in and play, like the rest of the kids! She'd grown sick – jealous too - of watching them all play games with their parents on these types of days.
She sat quietly at her table, watching as parents of the other children began to arrive, her dinosaur sitting in front of her awaiting the Captain. Every time the doors would open, she'd look up at them hopefully, but each time was disappointed, as the Captain never came through them.
Soon, it was time for the games to begin, as all the parents had received their clay figurines that had been made for them by their children. The teacher glanced over Lenore's way, and shook her head sadly. She'd been amazed when the young girl had behaved for her after the incident her first day back to class. But, of course, it had probably only been because the small girl had been excited that the Captain had agreed to come as her guest for the day. She started towards the table, to ask the child if she'd like to play the games as well, but decided against it, as she figured the child would probably say no anyway.
Lenore watched as the teacher turned and walked back to everyone else, sitting on the carpet with the others, to play a game. Her eyes welled up with tears, which she immediately blinked back – she was hurt that no one was going to ask her to join in – and all because she had no parent with her whatsoever. She turned her gaze back at the schoolroom door and glared at it angrily.
While Lenore sat waiting for him in the schoolroom, Captain Picard was stuck negotiating a peace treaty with an alien race. He'd been all set to go join her, when the hail had come in, that a meeting was needed immediately, in order to keep the peace. He hadn't even had time to contact the teacher, to let Lenore know he'd be unable to make it, as something had come up.
"Yes, that is what was agreed upon before, Dredge," Captain Picard stated, as he paced the room. "One sack of corn a month from them, and one sack of wheat from you, to keep the people from fighting."
Dredge began to argue with him then, stating that they had never agreed upon such a ridiculous thing. He refused to believe that they would have to give up any of their wheat, in order to refrain from war.
In the meantime, Lenore still sat at her table, awaiting the Captain's arrival. She'd never felt so alone before in her life. She watched as everyone else played games, laughed, and just had plain old fun being together. She eyed the dinosaur she had made for the Captain warily, before finally smashing her fist down upon it angrily.
"I hate you!" She hissed at it. She then angrily tore the card she had made in half, and scowled at it. Then she got up, leaving her smashed creation behind, along with the – now ripped - card she'd made, and snuck out of the schoolroom altogether. Once out of the schoolroom, she ran back to her quarters to cry, as she'd nowhere else to go. She flopped down upon her bed, and sobbed herself to exhaustion.
Finally, the Captain had finished with Dredge and the other council members, and was able to head for the schoolroom. Upon reaching the room, he cautiously entered, and noted it seemed the child he was looking for was missing.
"Excuse me," Captain Picard began, interrupting the fun and games taking place over on the carpet. "Has anyone seen Lenore?"
"She was sitting at her table," the teacher answered, not even bothering to look over.
Captain Picard nodded, and headed for the table that only had one piece of clay on it. Once he reached the table, he realized that whatever it was that had been created had been smashed. He also noticed that the card had been ripped in half as well. He sighed heavily, as he shook his head. He wasn't pleased with the fact that by the looks of it, everyone had just forgotten the child, as he hadn't showed up on time.
He left her smashed and ripped up things there, and left the schoolroom to go look for her. He knew just by seeing her things that she had grown mad and left the room despite the rules. He contacted Lieutenant LaForge first.
"LaForge here. Yes, Captain?"
"Have you seen Ensign at all today, Lieutenant?"
"Not since breakfast, Sir. Why? What's wrong?"
"I was unable to arrive at the schoolroom on time, due to more important matters that involved keeping peace in the federation."
Geordi sighed. "Have you tried her quarters, Sir? Or the haul-o- deck?"
"No. But I shall look in those places next. If you should see her Lieutenant, inform me immediately."
"Yes, Sir."
"Picard out."
Captain Picard checked the haul-o-deck, and when he didn't find her there, he decided he'd best check her quarters. He entered her quarters and looked about. Needless to say, he was shocked beyond belief, to find her sound asleep on her bed – her face tearstained. He gave a small smile, as he neared the bed to cover the child up. He placed the blue blanket at the foot of the bed over her, and tucked it in around her so that she wouldn't wind up cold.
After having had covered Lenore up, he returned out to the main area of her quarters. He gave a small laugh when he realized the toys he'd gotten for her to play with, were strewn about everywhere. He'd never seen a messier child than her – but that was understandable, as children he usually saw, were with parents – Lenore had none, so she had never been taught to keep things tidy. He shook his head as he removed a few of the toys from the couch, and sat down to take a break. He'd a few more hours off, as he'd stated he was going to Lenore's 'Parent Day'.
Soon enough, Lenore had woken up and come out of her room. She was surprised to find the Captain sitting on the couch, fiddling with her one toy. She cautiously, and quietly, went over to where he sat. "Captain?"
Captain Picard looked up. "Yes, Ensign?"
"How come you never came?" Lenore asked him softly, hurt evident in her green eyes. "I waited an' waited...."
"I had duties thrown upon me last minute, that could not wait, Ensign. I did try to be there on time, but other matters kept me busy and unable to attend."
Lenore silently climbed up into his lap, something she never did – she was known to climb into Geordi's lap, but that was it. She only ever climbed into the Captain's lap if she wanted to use his communicator, or if she was in trouble – not because she was sad. She rested her head upon his chest.
"Nobody asked me to play," she whispered to him sadly. "Teacher was gonna, but she turned an' left me there to sit 'lone."
The Captain hugged her awkwardly. "I am sorry they forgot you Ensign. That was not right, and I shall talk to them about that. All of them."
"They don't care...." Lenore told him. "They got kids to play with, an' hug, an' stuff. I'm a nobody – I just – don't matter."
"Ensign," Captain Picard began, making her look up at him. "You do matter. If you didn't, I don't think I would have allowed you to return to the Enterprise for a visit. I only let those who matter return to my ship, so you do matter, despite what they may have told you."
Lenore gave him a teeny smile, and laid her head back upon his chest, snuggling into him. She sighed. "I wrecked my dinosaur...." She said softly. "I got mad an' ruined him an' my card...."
"You can always make another one," the Captain stated. "I will find you some clay of your own to play with, here in your quarters."
Lenore nodded, and closed her eyes, as she was she exhausted from all the unwanted crying she had done earlier.
The Captain let her sit with him, until asleep. He then carried her back to her bed, and covered her up once more. He'd decided to let her sleep in her blue jeans and yellow T-shirt, as he figured she'd probably be up again later and change into her pajamas then. After all, it was only four-o'clock.
Once he had gotten her settled, he left to once more return to his duties, as ship Captain.