Title: The Duty to Defend

Author's Comments: Thank you for the reviews, they are fuel for the writer's soul.

EYDF-Thomas - Yes, Boothby will be making an appearance later in the story. I hope you finish the story Wesley's Appendix that I helped you re-write, I've been thinking of a few great scenarios for that for some time now. Glad to see that you are still out there!
Spacekitten2700 - "Dang?" I don't know if that's good or bad, but atleast I got your attention. I'm glad you took the time to write atleast one word rather than read and then click and move on. Thank you :)
Lindsay - Yes, there are more chapters, but they change based on my mood at the time :( I haven't decided how to work this particular story because it ties into The Final Mission, my soon to be version of First Duty & another story I am working on and there has to be continuity. But trust me, Jean Luc Picard and Beverly Crusher will be well represented.
Lauren - I promise I'm working as fast as my poor addled mind can! Thanks for motivating me with positive reviews.
Guest x2 - I have no idea what "TPTB" (The Powers that be?) stands for but if it screws over Wesley, I'm definetly here to rectify that.

Chapter 2 -Communication Breakdown

Enterprise D

2030hrs

Dr. Crusher sat at her communication station in her stateroom. Her "Wesley alarm" was blaring in her mind. It had been months since she had last seen his face, or even heard his voice and she was becoming frantic. Something was wrong, and she was sure she was losing a connection, that wonderful connection she always had with her son. She refused to give it up no matter how old he got. He'd become so distant lately. Every since the accident that injured him and killed Cadet Albert caused him to repeat his sophmore year, he had not been the same.

She switched on the computer and clicked a few keys staring at the latest communication from her son's academic year. She scratched at her head as she looked at his account balance. Something about the account was not right. While Wesley was taking extra courses, there seemed to be no additional charges on his account. His food account had dropped to less than 1/3 of his usual expense and there was definitely something odd going on with his dormitory expense. The cost of his room was actually less than it had been. She flipped the screen to the next page and glanced at his grades. She beamed with pride when she saw that even with a full class load her son had made an "A" in each class. She was still troubled by the amount left over in his food account. She used to need to fill it with extra each term, after all he was a growing boy. Perhaps he'd been eating out with friends. But that much? It didn't add up. Something was not quite right with her son, he was pulling away. If she couldn't get her son to come home to her, she would have to go and see him.

Dr. Crusher took a deep breath and tapped her comm badge lightly.

"Crusher to Captain Picard."

"Yes Doctor?"

"I need to speak with you; can I join you in your ready room?"

"I'm in Ten Forward, please join me Doctor."

"On my way." she exclaimed signing off the computer and heading out into the corridor. As she rounded the corner and stood at the turbo lift the doors opened to reveal a rather melancholy female ensign. Her reddish brown hair was swept back in a braided pony tail and she was staring down at her feet seemingly unaware that the doors had opened. Beverly cleared her throat as a pair of hazel eyes gazed up at her.

"Oh, Dr. Crusher, sir, I mean ma'am, sir. uhhh...Commander sir..."

"Stop it or you'll hurt yourself Ensign Lefler." she smiled, " I've never seen you this flustered before. Is this your stop?"

"No...actually I was headed to Engineering, I guess I missed my stop."

Beverly Crusher entered the turbo lift "Deck 21, then 10" she exclaimed as she smiled politely at the young girl again.

"Dr. Crusher may I ask you a personal question?"

"Hold turbo lift. Yes, what can I do for you Robin?"

"Have you talked to Wesley lately?" a smile of understanding reached Beverly's lips. Apparently her son was neglecting not only his mother but his girlfriend too. Now she didn't feel so unloved.

"I wouldn't really call it talking sweetheart. He sends me letters to let me know that he's alive, but it s been months since I've heard the sound of his voice or seen him. I take it it s been the same for you?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm starting to think he doesn't like me very much anymore.''

"I don't think its that's at all Robin, but there is definitely something going on. His summer break is starting and I'm going to try to go visit and bring him back to the Enterprise...kicking and screaming if I have to. We'll get him straightened out, okay?"

"I'm really worried about him."

" Hey kiddo, that's my job, I worry enough for the both of us." Robin's soft smile faded.

"I've heard from some friends of mine on Earth, at the academy...and uh." Robin bit at her lip and thought carefully as she chose her next words. Beverly placed a soothing hand on her shoulders.

" You have to understand, he's got a lot on his plate, I'm sure he'll be in contact soon dear." her placating words falling on deaf ears.

"Yes, ma'am, I'm sure he's fine."

Robin smiled politely as the turbo lift resumed its course depositing her at deck 21. As the doors closed in front of her an image of a communique engrained in her memory came to the forefront of her thoughts.

"Lefler your little traitor pal Crusher is in my Federation Ethics Class, he's a grade A creep - I don't know what you see in him."
Robin sighed as she tried to dismiss the haunting image from her mind.

"Lefler !" Laforge barked, snatching her from her memories.

"Sir?! I'm sorry sir."

"I asked you a question." She swallowed a lump in her throat, mustered an innocent smile and shrug of her shoulders.

Commander Laforge rubbed at his temples and sighed. "Teenagers. Do you have that spectrographic analysis done Ensign Lefler?"

"Uh...uhm...no sir, but I'll be done in..."

"You have one hour Ensign!" he threw over his shoulder as Robin dismissed all of her earlier thoughts and scurried off to the lab to work.

Beverly Crusher emerged onto deck ten and headed into the aft lounge of 10-forward.

This time of night most were preparing to head off to bed, but as she gazed toward the large window she saw Captain Picard enjoying a steaming beverage of synthehol brandy as he stared at the rapidly passing stars indicative of their high warp speed. She walked up to his table as he stood briefly until she was seated.

She sat down at the table and released a gust of air she'd been holding, an exasperated sigh that made her lips vibrate and the hair of her bangs lift ever so slightly from her forehead.

"This must be a doozy." he smiled.

"Mmmm hmmmm." she stared at him trying to think about what she was going to say.

"Do I get three guesses?"

"You think you know me so well."

A waiter walked up with a strawberry ether with a mint leaf and placed it in front of her, followed by a chocolate sundae just the way her son always ordered it. She looked at her captain and tried her best not to smile.

"You're not playing fair."

"Our mission to deliver supplies to starbase 157 has been temporarily delayed. We could head to Earth for a brief stop." Beverly's mouth stood ajar.

"How did you...?"

"Ah..." He held up two fingers to pause. "Before you think I've somehow read your mind, I have to tell you, I know this is the summer session at the academy. I thought perhaps you'd like to bring Wesley aboard since it s been so long since he's been home...on the Enterprise."

Beverly's eyes were filled with unshed tears. Picard reached out and put his warm strong hand on hers.

"We've watched him grow up, we all miss him, and he s our son too." He smiled briefly before tapping his comm. badge.

" Picard to Bridge. "

"Go ahead Captain" answered Commander Data. Data was usually on duty during the Gamma shift at least once a week as he required no true sleep.

"Change course. Direction sector 001.150, warp factor 6."

"Earth Station McKinley, Captain?"

"Yes, Data...make it so." Beverly could no longer contain her tears. She mouthed the words thank you as she smiled at him and Picard nodded and dug into her ice cream with a spoon.

Location Unknown 2315 Hours

The wet grass beneath him soaked his torn and ripped clothing. His body grew chilled as a large crimson fissure lead from his left temple to his ear and down pale white skin. His pain, and the loss of his lifeblood threatned his existence and kept his consciousness at bay. The chatter of porcelain bone was rhythmic as his teeth clamped down on each other begging the body to fight for warmth. A single twitch from a strained and injured muscle signaled that the battered human still had signs of life, if only for the time being.

There is soooo much to this story, a life hangs in the balance, there is a major character death. There is a trial, and definetly revenge. Ready to solve a mystery? Where do you think the story is headed. Click the review button and give me your ideas.