Author's Note: Thank you so much to everyone that has supported this series. It is so affirming to wake up and see new views, kudos, comments, and favourites/subscribes.
In this chapter, we see the crew prepare for the upcoming trip to Earth. The next two chapters are going to be quite ensemble heavy. However, after that we're moving into two complete chapters of strictly DaTasha fluff.
As always, feel free to join me on Trek Twitter TheTartanTart.
Geordi sighed heavily and scratched the back of his head.
"Well, I'm out," he announced as he laid his cards down on the table.
The senior officers were gathered around the table in Tasha's quarters. It was their routine poker night and it had been Tasha's turn to host.
But Tasha wasn't currently playing. It was their last day of official on-ship leave from duties following the black hole situation before it was back to the routine grind and was supposed to be a lazy day.
The Enterprise was heading for Earth where a full agenda awaited the ship and her crew. Although there would be several days of shore leave during the trip, there were still official functions and work that needed to be completed.
Between overdoing it on the holodeck the night before and the stress of setting up the poker night, Tasha wasn't much feeling up to playing.
She was currently curled up on one end of her sofa chatting with Miles about his engagement.
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather play?" Tasha inquired.
"My luck's always terrible unless I sit to the right of the dealer," Miles replied.
Despite sitting to the right of the dealer, Geordi hadn't shared in that luck. After several unsuccessful hands, Geordi decided to call in quits on the poker for the night.
He got up from the table and came to sit with them in the seating area.
"Seems lady luck isn't with me tonight," Geordi commented as he took a seat.
A few metres away, the rest of the senior officers were gathered around the table in a tense, but friendly game. Data was wearing his typical green visor.
His hands blurred as he shuffled the cards with an inhuman speed. He held the deck out for Worf to cut it before dealing the cards around the table.
"The game is seven card high/low with buy on the last card. To increase the random nature of this game of chance, the curse of Scotland is wild, and the man with the axe takes all," Data explained.
"In English?" Worf asked sarcastically.
Geordi and Tasha bit back their laughter.
"Hey! Cool it Mr Intergalactic Series of Poker," Beverly teased.
"Well, I'm sorry these amateurs can't seem to keep up," Riker grinned. "But I'm ready."
Twenty-three minutes later, Commander Riker's smile had faded.
"Looks like it's amateur hour," Beverly said with a knowing smirk.
"And amateur hour doesn't look so bad from here," Deanna added as she took in the Doctor's pile of chips.
Riker had lost another hand and decided it was more than enough for one night. He had a big few days ahead of him. As much as Will Riker enjoyed playing diplomat, it was exhausting.
"Shove up," he said as he plopped down on the side of the sofa opposite Tasha.
With a grumble, she pulled her feet up to make room for him.
"T, you alright?" Geordi asked. "No offense, but you look terrible."
"Thanks," Tasha replied. "Ugh, yeah. I'm just knackered."
The weeks of training for the black hole rescue had really taken their toll on her system. Not only was there mental fatigue, the mix of high doses of stimulants and relaxants had left her physically drained.
"You two sure left the concert early," Commander Riker commented. "A good night then?"
Tasha nodded, completely oblivious to his implication.
"We went to the holodeck," Tasha explained.
"The holodeck?" Riker asked.
Geordi and Miles exchanged a glance. Tasha was far too private to even consider what Riker was inferring. What Riker hadn't anticipated was just how excited Tasha was about this new discovery and how keen she was to share it with Worf.
"I had never done anything like it," Tasha said enthusiastically. "Hell, I didn't even think about the possibility of it."
Her face lit up as she recalled the thrill of holding their ground against the holographic Persian troops, fighting in such an ancient form of combat, and the rush of being surrounded by such revered Spartan warriors.
"By the time we were done, I was coated in mud and every muscle in my body was screaming," Tasha went on. "I don't think my quads have burned like that since the Avora IV climb."
"Really?" Commander Riker said with a grin as he glanced over at to where Data was sitting at the table.
Over at the table, Deanna choked on her drink.
More than anyone else in the room, she could feel first-hand just how big a misunderstanding was playing out before their eyes.
Data looked up from his cards and frowned as he tried to piece together why everyone seemed to be trying to avoid laughter.
"We had spears on Turkana, but nothing like these. Well-balanced. Good for upward or downward strikes. Easy to handle despite being surprisingly stiff," Tasha continued.
"I would have expected nothing less," Riker said in agreement.
Beverly clapped her hand over mouth and snorted as she desperately tried to stop from laughing. She knew it wasn't Tasha's fault that she didn't get the joke – she was so delighted, like a child discovering a new hobby.
"Honestly, it's one programme I'd be worried to take the safety parameters off," Tasha confessed. "When I got hit, did that ever sting."
She sighed, feeling content.
"But entirely worth it," Tasha added.
She folded her hands behind her head and laid back down on the edge of her sofa.
"We should do it sometime, Worf," Tasha said, smiling broadly as she closed her eyes.
She was keen to relish in the moment of satisfaction that came from such a hard-fought workout.
"Sounds like I'll have to give it a try some time," Riker teased.
Tasha froze, suddenly understanding the meaning of Riker's statement.
"What do you say Worf? A big, strapping fellow like you must find quite a- oof," Riker grimaced.
Tasha's foot made impact just below his ribs as she delivered a swift warning kick.
"Oh very funny," Tasha said.
"Sorry, T," Riker replied. "The opportunity presented itself. Why else do you think people sneak out to the holodeck at that hour?"
Data sat up straight in his chair as he realised just what Riker was alluding to.
"Ah, I see," Data said brightly.
Data's brow furrowed as his face quickly soured.
"Commander, we were running Lieutenant Barclay's Battle of Thermopylae programme," Data clarified.
"I know, Data," Riker assured him. "I'm sorry, it was just a joke."
"It was not funny," Data replied simply.
The room fell silent.
An uncomfortable look passed between Geordi and Miles. They both could hear the tell-tale sign of quiet disapproval in Data's voice.
Deanna was sitting directly across the table from Data. While she studied his face, she could not pick up on any negative feelings. In fact, she was reading quite the opposite. However, Deanna knew just how much the idea of airing anything personal upset Tasha. She surmised Data was likely reacting to that.
"You're right, Data," Riker acknowledged sincerely. "And I'm sorry."
"Besides, we did not engage in such an activity until returning to my quarters," Data said.
His tone was flat, but Deanna could sense he was joking.
"Was that a joke, Data?" Geordi asked.
"Was it funny?" Data inquired, eager for feedback.
The room erupted with laughter. Worf threw his head back and released a deep, Klingon belly laugh. Commander Riker wiped the tears away from his eyes. Tasha put a hand over her face, having fallen for Data's ruse.
"You really had me there for a moment," Riker said.
He was impressed with Data's surprisingly witty response. It seemed with each passing month, Data was growing more comfortable (and successful) in his attempts at humour.
As the evening wore on, it became evident that everyone was feeling that dreaded night-before-work feeling. It was a unique combination of feeling simultaneously tired while trying to hang onto that feeling of relaxation that came from leave.
The poker game had long since been abandoned in favour of lounging about. Commander Riker had put on music as the gang chatted about their upcoming trip to Earth.
"No, no," Geordi said, shaking his head. "The scuttlebutt is that the Venture's tied up on the Cardassian Border. I don't think Commander Asner will be there."
Geordi and Commander Riker were discussing a mutual friend that the two had served with during their previous assignment to the USS Hood.
"Say, did you still have Hawksworth for your Federation Diplomacy Introductory course, Worf?" Geordi inquired.
"Yes, Commander Hawksworth is still teaching," Worf replied.
"She's been there for ages," Beverly added. "As much an institution herself as the Campanile."
The Campanile was a Starfleet Academy tradition for any students lucky enough to attend the campus near Starfleet Headquarters in San Francisco. An old, free-standing clock tower, the Campanile had stood for over 200 years.
"I found the Campanile to be one of the most fascinating aspects of behaviour during my time there," Data said.
Miles quirked an eyebrow at Data.
"Oh? Was it a ritual you partook in frequently?" Miles asked.
"Only once," Data made clear.
The Campanile ritual involved kissing another Academy student under the clock tower at midnight. It was considered a rite of passage. And Data had certainly been no exception to that – although both he and his Vulcan classmate had done so merely for the purpose of the experience rather than some sort of mutual affection.
"It is a tradition shared by all Federation species that attend Starfleet Academy," Data explained. "One that transcends the cultural differences between Betazeds, Vulcans, humans, Berellians, even Klingons."
All eyes turned to Worf. He visibly stiffened.
Before he could answer, Deanna weighed in.
"I think that's a lovely sentiment, Data," she commented.
Data beamed.
"Thank you, Counsellor," he replied.
"So what is everybody doing with their leave?" Beverly asked.
They would be on Earth for ten days and it was more than enough time to provide everyone with ample time for personal leave as well as to see to their duties.
In addition to the reunion, the Enterprise senior officers had an important Command Conference and various other responsibilities. During their time on Earth, the ship was going to undergo a routine resupply and maintenance overhaul at McKinley station.
It meant that Geordi, Miles, and Data had a busy week ahead in preparation.
Tasha and Worf also had their hands full in Tactical. McKinley was prepared to provide a full resupply of their torpedo bay stocks and there was a training for a new class of phaser rifle.
Sickbay and the medical team were no exception to the preparations. Beverly was expected to provide a full list of needed supplies which meant conducting a ship-wide inventory. She had her award ceremony and would also be giving a lecture on their experience with the polywater intoxication.
"Wesley is so thrilled about visiting again," Beverly said. "We're touring the Academy. I just hope we've got time to stop and see Jack's sister. It's been so long."
Wesley had spent most of his childhood away from Earth. Beverly's only remaining family, her grandmother, was on Caldos colony and Beverly's work with Starfleet had taken them all across the Alpha Quadrant.
Wesley had only seen his Crusher cousins a handful of times over the years.
"I'm up to my ears in diplomatic responsibilities," Riker confessed. "I'll be sticking close to HQ."
"Aren't you going to see your father?" Miles inquired. "Alaska's a short jaunt by shuttle."
Riker shook his head.
"Last I heard, my father was on the Icarus working out near the Tholian border," Riker replied. "Besides, I've got a little day trip planned for fishing with some old friends from the Hood."
In truth, he hadn't spoken to his father in fifteen years and that was how he liked to keep it. In a way, he was grateful he had so much work to occupy his mind. Will Riker didn't want to think about familial obligations. They were too painful.
Miles and Keiko were planning to split their time between Finglas, Ireland and Kumamoto, Japan. They hadn't yet told their families of their engagement – in fact, Miles had only recently shared with his father that he was in a serious relationship. So they two were looking forward to being able to break the news in person.
Geordi had been looking forward to this trip for ages. Although his mother's work aboard the Hera meant she would be unable to attend the reunion, Geordi was eager to meet up with his father and sister.
"Five whole days in Santorini," Geordi explained. "Volcanic black sand beaches. The Aegean Sea. The wine. The food!"
Geordi clapped his hands together and grinned.
"I can't wait to get my hands on some fresh oysters," Geordi added.
"What about you, Worf?" Beverly asked.
He had been unusually quiet during their discussion.
"Worf's just a little nervous about his parents coming aboard," Tasha said.
"I am not nervous," Worf grumbled.
He took a short breath before continuing.
"My parents can be, well, a lot," Worf explained. "And it is not appropriate for a Klingon officer to receive family aboard a ship during their service."
"But you will not be on duty," Data said, hoping to offer a loophole.
Worf hated that Data was right. It was an excuse, and everyone knew it.
However, Worf couldn't help feeling uncomfortable at the thought of his parents coming aboard.
"That's alright, Lieutenant," Miles offered. "When my da came aboard he chased Nurse Stanton halfway around sickbay. I was terribly embarrassed."
"You've got nothing to worry about, Worf," Tasha assured him. "I am sure they're lovely people."
"We will need to keep my father out of Engineering," Worf instructed. "And do not tell my mother about our holodeck workouts. She has a tendency to worry."
Beverly chuckled.
"Something tells me she already knows," Beverly said. "A mother always knows, Worf."
Deanna could sense just how anxious Worf was.
And she could sympathise.
She had her own anxiety whenever she'd had to encounter her mother during her Starfleet duties. It was a large part of why Deanna had accepted an assignment away from Betazed.
"I am so glad my mother is seven sectors away on the other side of Alpha Quadrant," Deanna laughed. "Believe me, if she ever comes aboard, I will do my best to spare you all."
Commander Riker grinned and shook his head.
"What's so funny?" Geordi asked.
"Let's just say Mrs Troi is unlike any other woman," Riker said cryptically.
"That's very diplomatic," Deanna teased.
Will Riker had never forgotten his early assignment on Betazed – nor his interactions with the flamboyant Lwaxana Troi. Her presence had been a constant feature during his initial relationship with Deanna.
For her part, Deanna was looking forward to spending a few days relaxing at a spa in San Francisco. She had frequented the locale during her own time at the Academy and couldn't wait for a few days to dissociate from the rest of the world.
"What about you two?" Riker asked as he looked between Data and Tasha.
The two smiled at one another.
Neither Data nor Tasha had family on Earth.
And both had shared a similar experience at the Academy. Data's android nature and Tasha's age had left them isolated from many of their peers during their time there. They weren't planning to meet up with classmates.
In fact, they weren't bound to spend their leave with anyone.
They had five whole days together.
Alone.
And they were planning to take full advantage of that time.
"Well?" Riker pressed.
Tasha did her best to suppress a grin.
"Not telling," Tasha replied.
"Somewhere where no one can reach us," Data explained. "And that is all I can say."
Data hadn't been lying to Commander Riker.
He truly couldn't say more about their destination.
As Data had planned their last leave together during their time on the Edo planet, Tasha had offered to see to this one. She'd kept a tight lid on the location and itinerary.
In fact, all she had told Data was that they would be unreachable for five days. Tasha had filed the appropriate travel plan with the Captain in case there was an emergency. But he was the only one, aside from Tasha, that knew.
What Data didn't know was just how challenging it had been for Tasha to keep it a secret from him. It was torture to try and contain her enthusiasm. From the moment she'd confirmed their trip, she knew that it would be just perfect for Data.
"May I inquire as to the weather at our destination?" Data asked.
Their guests had departed about twenty minutes earlier and Data and Tasha were cleaning up.
"You won't need to worry about it," Tasha assured him.
It was Data's desire to respect her wish for secrecy. However, there was a natural curiosity that he could not deny.
"How will I know what to pack?" Data questioned as set the used glasses under the replicator.
"It's taken care of," Tasha informed him.
Data frowned.
"But Tasha-" Data began to protest.
Tasha stopped wiping down the table and shrugged.
"You're just going to have to trust me," Tasha said.
Once they were done cleaning the table, they replaced the chairs and moved Tasha's quarters back to their regular layout. She liked to keep the centre open to allow her ample space for working out.
They slipped into their sleepwear and settled back on the sofa.
"Ready?" Tasha asked.
Data nodded and she curled up next to him with her PADD in hand.
Tasha cleared her throat and began to read.
"Scene I, a deserted place. Thunder and lightning. Enter three witches," Tasha recited. "When shall we three meet again in thunder, lightning, or in rain?"
Data's weekly chess game with Captain Picard was approaching in a few days' time. Ever since coming aboard the Enterprise, the Captain had been keen to find a chess player like Data. More than that, he enjoyed having a compatriot that shared his love for literature.
The two could spend hours discussing literature over a glass of wine.
It had served to guide Data during his own goal of achieving a more human like nature.
Since beginning his relationship with Tasha, Data had incorporated his weekly book discussion into their partnership. In fact, Data had found that having Tasha read to him helped him to better grasp the nuance of such selections.
This week's choice was no exception.
"When the hurly-burly's done. When the battle's lost and won. That will be ere the set of sun," Tasha went on. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air."
As of late, the Captain had been fixated on Shakespeare.
An hour and a half later, they had completed the story.
Tasha yawned.
"I struggle to understand Macbeth's desire to rule above all else," Data confessed.
While he knew the compulsion for greed and power could be considered human qualities, he failed to comprehend how the need for such things could be strong enough to commit a heinous murder.
"Especially when it only brought them disaster and unhappiness," Data said.
Tasha laughed.
"I don't get it either," Tasha replied with a shrug. "But Worf said advancement through assassination is fairly common on Klingon ships."
Advancement on Turkana was fairly common through assassination too. She reminded herself.
"I've always learned it's better to keep a low profile," Tasha said.
"You are speaking of Turkana," Data said.
Tasha nodded.
"Yeah," she replied. "It was always best to keep your chin up and your head down. Never let them know what you're really packing. Keep your plan close to your chest."
Data's brow furrowed.
"Is that why you carry an antiquated switchblade in your-" Data began to ask, the colloquialism having been completely lost on him.
Tasha fell to the side laughing.
"No! I didn't mean literally," Tasha clarified. "It's just a saying."
"I do not understand," Data admitted. "You state that the phrase is not meant to be taken literally, yet you do so."
She picked up his hand traced over it absentmindedly.
"Yeah, I guess I do," Tasha conceded.
She looked up at Data.
"I'm thoroughly knackered," she said with a yawn. "Bed?"
Three days later, Tasha still wasn't feeling any more rested. She'd been pulling extra hours in preparation for their arrival so that she would have all her duties completed in time to fulfil her promise to Worf.
She'd offered to escort his parents around the ship and wasn't about to let him down. She knew just how on edge he was in anticipation of their visit.
From everything he'd shared about his childhood, Sergei and Helena Rozhenko seemed to be wonderful people. It was evident that Worf missed them dearly.
However, he was inexplicably concerned about their visit to the ship. He'd tried to put them off – offering instead to come to Minsk. But they had insisted that they wanted to see the Enterprise and meet his friends.
In order to be ready, Tasha needed to ensure her duties were complete before they arrived.
She was partway through recalibrating one of the phaser arrays when she heard the unwelcome sound of the panel cracking overhead.
Tasha dropped her tricorder and sonic driver immediately and put her hands up to brace for the impact of the falling panel.
When it didn't hit, Tasha opened her eyes carefully.
The panel was stopped about fifteen centimetres overhead.
While not deadly, the panels were heavy - and she would have had hard time explaining the bruising to Data.
"You are supposed to equip a safety parameter field before initiating such a procedure," Data said, having caught the panel just in time.
Tasha exhaled and blushed, knowing she'd been caught red-handed.
"We only have four of them and they are all currently in use," Tasha explained.
Data set the panel aside and pulled Tasha to her feet.
"We are going to be late," Data advised.
Tasha clapped her hand to her forehead and grimaced.
"Oh honey, I'm sorry I didn't even realise the time," she apologised.
With Android precision, Data quickly reattached the panel and unhooked the attuning equipment as Tasha picked up her tricorder and sonic driver from the floor.
"Again, I'm so sorry," she repeated as they stepped onto the lift. "I've just got a lot to do before we reach Earth."
"My offer still stands," Data reminded her.
Data had offered – numerous times – to help her with her duties during his free hours.
And Tasha had refused time and again.
"You can't," she insisted.
"May I ask a question?" Data inquired.
"Always," Tasha assured him.
"This is the fourteenth time you have refused my help this week," Data began. "And you have expressed on several occasions that the workload exceeds the available amount of time. Why do you continue to refuse my help?"
Tasha had been dreading this question.
"Because you can't, Data," Tasha contended without offering any further justification.
Data cocked his head to the said as he attempted to identify the reason why she felt he could not assist. It took him 2.47 seconds to determine a likely reason for her decision.
"Computer halt," Data ordered.
As the turbolift ground to a halt, Data turned to look down at Tasha.
She had her arms crossed and was avoiding eye contact.
"The tasks your department is charged with this week are all within my capabilities," Data argued. "I am only on Night Watch tomorrow. And I have two more days before my chess game with the Captain. That leaves sixteen hours and twenty-one minutes where I am free to assist you."
Tasha let out a heavy, exasperated sigh.
"You can't, Data," she said. "Don't you get it?"
Data remained silent and waited for her to elaborate further.
"I can't have you step in anytime I need assistance," Tasha explained. "Because it's going to look like my android boyfriend has to do my job for me. It undermines my authority with the Security team, Data."
Even though the likes of Ensign Walsh, Ensign Gomez, and Lieutenant Harris were long gone, Tasha had never forgotten just how many of her Security staff had been keen to join their sick betting pool.
She knew that she had to rebuild her team's confidence in her abilities, and she couldn't do that if Data was stepping in to save her.
"And it's taking advantage of you," Tasha confessed.
"Oh," Data replied softly. "I see."
It confirmed his hypothesis.
Tasha took hold of his hands.
"Data, just because you can work that many hours, doesn't mean you should," Tasha explained.
The last thing she wanted was to ever take advantage of Data's android nature.
"You should spend some time with Geordi and the Chief. Or paint something brilliant," Tasha suggested. "You could go see Keiko's vomit plants."
"Ilex Vomitoria," Data said, correcting her. "The name is a misnomer as people inaccurately believed they caused vomiting. In reality the plant has nothing to do with the forceful expulsion of stomach contents."
"I'm still going to call it the vomit plant," Tasha said with a grin.
She ordered the lift to resume.
As the familiar hum of the lift travelling between decks kicked back up, neither Data nor Tasha was keen to break away from one another.
"I appreciate your offer to help," Tasha informed him. "But I need to do this on my own. And besides, you're going to be stuck with me for five days on Earth. I don't want you to be sick of me before then."
Data brought her hands to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back of her fingers.
"I assure you that scenario is unlikely," Data said with a small smile.
By the time they had reached Deanna's office, they two had agreed to a compromise. Data would respect Tasha's request to not get involved directly. However, she had consented to permit him to assign two additional personnel from Operations to assist Security in preparation for the refit.
Tasha kicked herself for not thinking of it sooner.
They did need the help and it had been foolish to think she could do it alone. After all, that's specifically what Operations "sweep" personnel existed for – to bounce between departments as needed.
"Sorry we're late," Tasha said as they slipped into the Counsellor's office.
It was their first joint counselling session with Deanna and Tasha felt horrible for losing track of the time. Technically, it wasn't an official counselling session - more of a preliminary meeting to outline their expectations and goals.
She knew just how important this was to Data.
Deanna could sense this and worked to set them at ease.
"It's quite alright," Deanna said as she motioned for them to take a seat.
Data and Tasha sat down next to one another on the sofa while Deanna sat in the chair opposite of them. There were a number of couples that she saw together for counselling, but this was the first time she'd be seeing such close friends in this setting.
But after weeks of working with Data individually (and more than a year of working with Tasha), Deanna felt that it would be healthy for the two of them to have a number of sessions together – once every two weeks to start and they would go from there.
As they settled in, Deanna explained that these sessions would be very similar to their own one-on-one sessions. However, the focus would be on the two of them and working through the cloud that had hung over their relationship from the start – Data was desperate to have a family someday, Tasha often failed to prioritise her own safety, and those two things were not compatible.
Furthermore, while they were both happy with their relationship, their relationship was highly unusual. It wasn't just Data's android nature or Tasha's fear of letting people in that made their situation unique.
Their respective roles made balancing their work/life relationship a challenge. They had successfully navigated this on numerous occasions – but starting a family would throw an unknown element into the mix.
Many couples had to make decisions about just how and when to start a family – especially when it came to serving aboard a starship.
But for Data and Tasha that discussion was compounded with a number of other factors. It was a discussion that had significant biological and ethical complications – it wasn't just Data's android physiology.
Adoption wasn't the only option on the table – donor DNA was a possibility just as creating a synthetic life form was an option Data was curious to explore.
He knew that he would likely outlive any biological children Tasha were to have and that thought was both intriguing and unsettling. The prospect of watching generations of his progeny grow was thrilling. However, he wasn't certain he could handle the emotional turmoil of seeing all of his potential children or grandchildren live and die.
"We're not covering all of this today, right?" Tasha asked sarcastically.
"No, Tasha," Data replied. "That would be illogical."
"We'll start by meeting every other week and go from there," Deanna explained. "It's clear we have a lot to discuss."
Deanna took a deep breath.
"And I think honesty is important, so I want to share that I've never counselled a situation quite like this," Deanna said.
Data and Tasha smiled at one another.
"No, Counsellor. You have not. But I believe I speak with both of us when I say that we have confidence in your ability to offer fair and valuable counsel," Data said.
He turned back to Tasha.
"And while our relationship is certainly unique, many of these concerns are no different than those experienced in humanoid relationships," Data went on. "It is unknown territory for all three of us."
He locked eyes with Tasha.
"As a Starfleet officer, I've always felt compelled to explore the unknown," Data confessed.
"And I've never been afraid of the unknown," Tasha said as she took Data's hand.
At the end of their session, Data and Tasha had reached an agreement that she would make more of an effort to prioritise her own personal safety. They would regroup after leave for another session.
Data was feeling good about the upcoming reunion and had shared with Deanna that Tasha had previously agreed that they could start using the term 'partner' to refer to one another.
Deanna made a note on her PADD to explore this in one of their upcoming sessions.
"And remember," Deanna warned. "Just because you aren't on board the Enterprise, doesn't mean everything we've worked on today goes out the window."
Tasha and Data nodded in understanding as Tasha promised to behave while on leave.
"Just what are you two planning to get up to on Earth?" Deanna inquired.
They'd kept their plans surprisingly hush-hush. All attempts to suss out the nature of their destination had proved fruitless, and rumours were starting to run rampant.
Geordi surmised they were sticking close to Starfleet HQ. Beverly thought they were taking a cruise she'd suggested and most of the crew agreed this was the most likely idea.
But some of the rumours were significantly more obscure like taking the Captain's Yacht off-planet to an unknown destination, roughing it in the Outback, and mountain climbing.
Riker's suggestion had been the most unusual of all – theorising the two were planning to elope.
"We're not telling anyone," Tasha said.
"But we will tell you about it upon our return," Data promised.
"Maybe," Tasha added cryptically.
Captain's Log. Stardate 41705.3. We have arrived at McKinley station where the Enterprise is scheduled to undergo a routine resupply and outfitting while my crew and I attend the Starfleet Academy Reunion. We've arrived a day early and will be staying for ten days to allow the crew ample time for shore leave to reconnect with family and friends.
And two of my officers will be recognised for their outstanding service. Doctor Beverly Crusher will receive the Doctor Leonard McCoy Medical Merit Award in a ceremony the morning of the reunion. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Natasha Yar has been nominated for the Karagite Order of Heroism and I have no doubt in my mind that she will be this year's recipient.
I myself am eagerly awaiting the Command Conference in nine days' time to learn more about the growing Romulan threat. However, before then I will be enjoying several days of leisure time near Lyon where I intend to ride, read, and relax.
"You still have time to escape," Worf said.
"Not a chance," Tasha assured him.
They were standing in Transporter Room 2 awaiting the arrival of Worf's parents from Earth.
Deanna was present too for moral support.
"I must warn you both that my father can be rather excitable about starship design," Worf explained. "He will likely mention his own service. Repeatedly."
Deanna grinned.
"And my mother has a tendency to ask questions," Worf went on. "Lots of questions."
"Looking forward to it," Deanna said. "While our parents may seem overbearing, it's only because they care. My own mother can be a lot to handle, but she means well."
"But your own mother isn't coming aboard," Worf argued.
"And thank heavens for that," Deanna replied.
Miles was at the console and advised that they would be approaching optimal transporter range soon.
"Remember, we need to keep him away from Engineering," Worf ordered. "And that will not be an easy task."
Suddenly, Miles's console lit up to indicate there was an incoming request.
"Sir, I'm receiving a hail with instructions for two more passengers," Miles reported.
Worf's face contorted. His brother Nikolai was on assignment in the Melona sector.
Surely, they didn't bring Babushka. Worf thought with alarm.
While she was very dear to Worf, she was as loving as she was formidable, eccentric, and always took charge of any room she entered.
"I'm receiving diplomatic permissions for a Federation Ambassador," Miles explained. "One Lwaxana Troi and an assistant.
Deanna's blood froze.
"It says here we're to transport this diplomat to Starbase 121 on our way to the Jaradan sector," Miles said as he read the cable. "Sir?"
"Beam them aboard," Tasha ordered.
The transporter engaged and the familiar shimmering sound filled the room as four persons appeared on the transporter pad.
Little one! You look radiant! Lwaxana said telepathically as she appeared.
Deanna took a breath to steady her nerves.
"Allow me to introduce Ambassador Lwaxa-" Deanna began.
"Lwaxana Troi, Daughter of the Fifth House, Keeper of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, and Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed," Lwaxana said as she spoke over Deanna.
"And my mother," Deanna finished.