"Bye! Thanks, Dad!" Welsey Crusher cheerfully walked into Star Fleet Academy ready to take his exams. He had, of course, not been dropped off by his dad, the late Jack Crusher, but by Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the Enterprise. It was not until several hours later, after concluding his exams that Wesley realized just what he had said as he was heading into them.
"Oh no. Oh no, I called the captain Dad. Oh no." Welsey, in the dorm he had been given for the day, was suddenly very anxious. He hailed Star Fleet Medical on his in-room comm screen.
"Beverly Crusher, Star Fleet Medical." Beverly was slightly concerned that the Academy would be calling her after hours, as it was now 2030 hours.
"MOM! Oh my gosh, we need to talk." Wesley was pacing, just like his mother did when she was upset.
"Wes! Are you ok? I wasn't expecting a call from you."
"I might be dead when I get back to the Enterprise."
"Your exams couldn't have gone that badly. Calm down Wes. What's going on?"
"No, it wasn't my exams. Mom, I made a huge mistake with Captain Picard. I'll never live this down…"
"Wes, I don't understand. If you did something on the shuttle surely it would've been addressed by now. What is going on?"
"Mom…I called Captain Picard Dad!" Wesley covered his face in his hands.
"Oh, honey. It's okay. It was an honest mistake. What did Jean-Luc do?"
"He didn't say anything. At least, I didn't hear him. Oh, mom!"
"Wes. You know that the captain cares for you very much."
"He thinks I'm annoying. I'm sure of it. I asked him too many questions on the shuttle…I pried, Mom! I kept asking him about kids and I wouldn't shut up and then I called him Dad and now I'm done for!"
"You're being a teenager." At Wesley's confused look, Beverly continued. "Overreacting. Jean-Luc is your godfather. He's not likely to admit it to you or anyone else on that ship, appearances you know, but I know that Jean-Luc has loved you since the day you were born. And, he's been the closest thing to a father you've had in years. I don't recommend you call him Dad again anytime soon, but I don't think you've done any harm."
"Mom…you call him Jean-Luc and you smile when you talk about him. Do you love Captain Picard?"
"Oh, Wes. It's complicated. Jean-Luc…Captain Picard is a wonderful officer. He's shown us nothing but kindness since your father died. He's shown me nothing but kindness since I've known him. But, your father was his best friend. And he's married to his ship. Wes, you're the only man I need."
"I don't believe that, Mom. Everyone knows you love Captain Picard. It's obvious."
"Wes… remember how you felt when you pried into Captain Picard's personal life? You're doing it again."
"I'm sorry, Mom. I'll call you before I leave for the Enterprise in the morning."
"And when you get back onboard. I love you. More than anything or anyone else."
"I love you too, Mom. Thanks." Wesley signed off, and Beverly sighed. Was it really that obvious?