Chapter 19

Commander Riker slowed when he saw Yar briefing a security team outside one of the minor sick bays. He waited for her to finish what seemed to be a very intense pep talk, and allowed her officers to disperse before he interrupted. "What's going on, Lieutenant?" he asked, taking her aside. "Why wasn't I informed of increased security presence?"

Yar nodded. "The order came straight from the captain, sir. He didn't give any explanation...but he seemed concerned."

Riker kept his facial expression even and gave her a wordless nod. It certainly wasn't Yar's fault that Captain Picard apparently had about zero trust in him, or apparently not enough to bother to mention his concerns to Riker.

"Such precautions...you would think you believed us to be enemies."

Riker and Yar interrupted their conversation and turned around to find the Ciapathian security chief, Reth, standing nearby. It irked Riker, and probably Yar too, that he was so tall they had to crane their necks to look up at him. In one enormous red arm, he held a metallic walking staff, which was planted solidly on the deck next to him. In the other hand he held a loop of energy, which was attached to the immense insect-like creature Reth had referred to as his "hunting" companion.

Riker's eyes narrowed. "Is that a weapon you're carrying there, Reth? Because friends don't typically carry those around in the midst of other friends."

"Are you referring to this?" he picked up the staff and it immediately retracted into the palm of his hand. "Or this?" he nodded toward the insect, which focused a pronounced hiss at the two Starfleet officers.

"Both," Riker and Yar said at once.

Reth laughed. "You are right, Riker. We are not friends...but we are not enemies...yet." He knelt down and placed his large palm on the hard shell of his insectoid companion. He stroked its black armor almost lovingly. "This noble being...she is my only true friend." He broke into a grin, leering at Riker and Yar. "When she wants to ensnare you, none can escape her charms."

"Sounds lovely," Yar murmured. The insect hissed and wagged its head back and forth.

Reth laughed again. "I like you two. I have never met humans before now. You exceed my expectations...which in a way also saddens me."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Reth rose to his full height and strolled away. "I will see you tonight at the feast," he called back over his shoulder.

Riker shook his head and glanced at Yar. "I don't like any of this, Tasha. Not at all."

Yar nodded seriously. "Agreed, sir."

Beverly Crusher needed a shower. Not a sonic shower, but one with actual hot water. Multiple holodeck injuries, and two births had made for a hectic day. Before today, she'd only assisted in the birth of a Bolian baby once several years ago. And although everything had gone fine, the whole event reminded her that out here, she would need to brush up on, well everything really-in particular, non-human anatomy and epidemiology. A ship's doctor could never be too prepared, an old mentor had once lectured her. After the Tsiolkovsky epidemic, which she worried had not inspired the utmost confidence in her or her staff, she knew they all had to do better. And she would be the one to set the standard.

When she arrived at her quarters it was nearly 1800 hours. Dinner would start in about a half an hour, and really Beverly was uninterested in attending. After the encounter with Petral and a long day of work she felt tired and uneasy. She had decided to sneak out of dinner after making a brief appearance. Of course, Wesley wouldn't want to be there in the first place, and he would certainly be her most likely excuse for leaving early. She didn't want the captain to believe she was shirking her duties, but she also had little use for diplomatic functions, and figured that it was better that he learn that fact now rather than later.

The common living area was dark, and it occurred to her that Wesley had probably arrived home from school and then fallen asleep. After all, he had been up all night the night before. She checked the time again. She hardly had time to get dressed in that constricting dress uniform. She began to get annoyed that she wouldn't have time for a leisurely shower and now she would have to tell Wesley to hurry it along.

"Wesley," she called out, only mildly bothered by the fact that she was probably waking him up from a comfortable nap. He wasn't about to get out of this one, if she had anything to say about it. She stood outside his bedroom door. "Wes? I need to use the shower and we don't have much time before dinner...sorry honey, but-"

Beverly jumped back startled and there stood her son. Her hand flew up to her mouth in surprise, but also to keep from laughing in his face.

"Wes?"

He was dressed in an old style black and white tuxedo, and she had to admit it was an improvement over the usual bulky sweater. "Wow, I mean...I'm really speechless, Wesley."

He stepped out of his room to face her and brushed off his tuxedo jacket. "Mom, do I look ridiculous? Please just tell me the truth."

"No, you don't look ridiculous at all...you just look so grown up!" She wiped at a tear which was threatening to emerge from the corner of her eye.

"Mom!"

"And handsome," she corrected herself immediately. "You look great."

His face relaxed visibly. "Thanks. Is that all?"

She studied him more closely. "Not to ruin your... vibe, but Wes you're a bit overdressed for this dinner," she said gently."Just who are you trying to impress anyway?"

He looked away and then down at his feet. "Um...a girl."

Beverly pursed her lips, and tried to appear as judgment-free as possible. "I see..."

"You're not going to be weird about this, are you Mom?"

"Weird? Who's weird?" She walked toward him and adjusted his tie, but it was still lopsided. She laughed as he began to squirm. "Wait! Let me see if I remember how to do this," she said, untying it and starting over.

"I hope so," he mumbled. "Or Commander Riker is going to laugh me out of the dinner. He already thinks it's a big joke."

She had just finished tying the tie, and then patted him on the chest. "He'll do no such thing...and what do you mean he already thinks it's a big joke?" she asked suspiciously.

"He was giving me advice...see the girl I met, she's a Ciapathian and-"

Beverly stepped back. "What?" Of course, Beverly, what other people Wesley's age would be at that dinner? Probably one of Del's twenty-two kids. Just take it in stride, she urged herself silently. "What exactly did Mr. Riker advise you to do?"

"He...he told me to lose the sweater."

Beverly tossed her hands up. "I haven't see one kid on this ship who hasn't worn a sweater like yours."

"Exactly his point, Mom. He suggested I be a little flashier."

Beverly rolled her eyes. "I can just hear him saying so...look Wesley it is very important to remember that if someone is attracted to you, that person is going to be attracted to you for other reasons than your clothes...if it's something that is going to last, that is. So, I want you to have fun, but please be realistic as well as a little cautious. The Ciapathians are only going to be here for another week at most..and we don't know anything about them, Wes."

"I know Mom. Don't worry. I'll use my common sense, like you taught me."

She smiled at him. Common sense has very little to do with attraction, and certainly not love. But he'll have to learn that part on his own. "Good," she said, and drew him into a hug. She sniffed in twice and then pulled back to look at him. "Are you wearing cologne?" Her nose wrinkled. "A little heavy handed there, Wes."

He sighed, and didn't appear to agree. "It's too late to take another shower," he said with a shrug.

"Shoot," she said spinning around. "I have to take a quick one before we go." Instantly she was now thankful for the simple dress uniform she would be wearing. She didn't have time for anything else.

"Mom," Wesley called after her.

"Yes?" She turned back around, just as she reached the bathroom.

"Thanks...now I don't feel so worried about seeing the captain."

Beverly froze. "He's involved in this? Don't tell me you asked him for advice too!" Actually that would have been interesting to hear...

Wesley suddenly looked terrified. "No! I mean, not exactly. He told me not to go looking for girlfriends...or something like that."

She put her hands on her hips. "Oh he did, did he?"

"Yeah. I think he's worried I am going to mess up the negotiations or something."

She gave a short laugh in the direction of the ceiling. "I'll bet."