Chapter One

"I'm telling ya doc, I've never seen anything like it!" Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge sat with her in Ten Forward, along with Commander William Riker, as they shared a quick after-hours drink. They were set to meet with the colonists of Dorvan V tomorrow and hold a reception in this very room, so it was nice for the three friends to steal a moment to catch up. Wesley had been supposed to join them, but had told Beverly he would rather have some time on his own.

"...he even rolled his eyes at me!" Geordi continued, gesturing for emphasis. Wesley had been on the ship for one day now, and in that time he had managed to bite the head off of anyone who had even attempted to have a friendly conversation with him. Earlier that day, he had even found his way down to engineering, where he had basically told Geordi that his engine designs were going to 'get us all killed.' Beverly was mortified.

"I believe it," Beverly replied, resigned, "I don't think I have had one polite conversation with him yet!"

"The academy can really take a toll on ya," Riker added, lopsided smile still intact, "I'm sure he just needs a little time to adjust." He clapped Beverly in the shoulder, "I'm sure we'll have him back to normal in no time."

She wanted to believe him, but this felt like more- this felt much worse than being a little deflated from the pressure of school. To speak that way to Geordi. Not too long ago, Geordi had been Wes' best friend, and a huge role model for him. Beverly wondered what could possibly have made him speak that way.

A million worries flew through her head: did she go too easy on him about being respectful? Was he dealing with a mental illness? Was it a girl...or guy? Was he feeling down from having to repeat a school year? Did she fail him in some way?

The hardest part about being a single parent was the decisions- Beverly felt like she had no one to consult- no one to ask for advice. You used to ask Jean Luc that little voice whispered again. You're avoiding him, when you could really use his help.

"...so then I had to pretend that I could speak French for the entire rest of the semester!" Riker was telling another one of his wild stories. Beverly smiled so he wouldn't catch that she hadn't been listening. Thank goodness for Will she smiled, glad to be socializing for the first time in what felt like quite a while.

She would give Wes some space. He kept asking to be left alone, maybe it was time that she listened.

With a few friendly goodbyes exchanged, and a respectful nod to Guinan at the bar, Beverly left and trailed back to her quarters. Again.