A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, I just wanted to leave you with something while I finish working on the next chapter, since it still needs a lot of editing :-).

Zara08-I like your ideas! The away mission could definitely be a good one-shot, or even its own episode. As for the other ideas, you brought up some good questions and good scenarios. And there's still room to play them out in this story! I'll be scheming hehehe... :-)

Carmen paced the floor of the small living room, wringing her hands so hard that her knuckles cracked. She had just finished relaying the news to Riker and Troi in the privacy of their rented quarters.

"But what would Romulans be doing in Federation space?" the counselor asked, seated on the sofa.

Riker sat beside her, leaning against the cushions with his feet propped up on a small table. He absent-mindedly rubbed Troi's lower back as he mulled over the ramifications. "They were on Zinor, too. During Carmen's last away mission."

"Possibly," Carmen pointed out. "But I still think something else was going on."

"Either way, this isn't good news for Dr. Gardener."

Troi sighed, smoothing out the front of her skirt. "Well, at least Jora's parents were able to talk Elion into leaving her behind. This way, she'll be safe."

"And Elion?" Begrudgingly, Carmen worried about the agent's safety. "What if he ends up like his partner? We should go out there, stop him and anyone else from his team before they-"

"No." Riker said firmly. "No one is going out there with a bunch of government agents combing the jungle. We'll wait until they find Durand's body. If these Romulans are smart, they'll be laying low too."

"I hate laying low." Carmen threw herself onto the couch beside Troi and propped her feet up same as the commander. "Baka I could really use a drink."

"Me too," he concurred. Troi cast them both reproachful looks.

"Wait a minute," Carmen said, bringing her feet back to the ground. "The tavern! Yes, we need to go to the tavern!"

"You just gave up drinking," Troi reminded her.

"No, no, I'm talking about Durand! The tavern was the last place anyone saw him, remember? What if he left because of something he learned, something he found out?"

Riker rubbed a hand through his beard. "She's got a point," he said slowly. "And I was already planning on going into town later."

"See?" Carmen stared at Troi pleadingly. "It works out!"

Troi climbed to her feet, taking a turn to pace the floor. "Do either of you remember what happened the last time we were at a bar together?"

Behind her back, Riker and Carmen exchanged guilty grins. "Okay, how about this," the young woman offered. "What if I give you my word that there won't be any brawls this time?"

"Your word?"

"Yes."

Troi folded her arms. Her gaze slid over to the commander. "And what about you?"

"I would just like to point out that Carmen was the one who started it last time-"

"I said what about you?" Troi repeated with a touch more severity.

Riker cleared his throat. "Okay yeah," he relented. "You have my word as well."