A/N: Sorry about the slow update! I was super busy with school for a while, but I'm on fall break now so I've had some more time.


"You have the bridge, Commander," Captain DeSoto said.

"Why?" Will asked. "Where are you going?"

"To Transporter Room 1," the captain said. "I'm beaming down to Altair III."

"Sir, with all due respect," Will said, "it's too dangerous. Your place is on the bridge."

"I know my place," Captain DeSoto said. "It's time you learned yours."

"But sir, my job is to keep you safe."

"Your objection is noted, but I have made my decision," the captain said firmly. "Now follow my orders, or I'll have to report you for insubordination."

"Sir, it's against regulation for - "

Captain DeSoto turned to the security chief. "Lieutenant Burns," he said, "escort Commander Riker off the bridge." Lt. Burns nodded and led Will off the bridge, the latter's hands behind his back. DeSoto turned to his second officer. "Commander Martinez, you have the bridge."

"Aye, sir."

As soon as they were off the bridge, Will turned to Lt. Burns. "So, are you going to confine me to my quarters?" he asked drily.

"No," Burns said. "My orders were to escort you off the bridge, nothing more. Between you and me, sir, I think you were right. The captain was out of line."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Will said. "I only hope the JAG sees it the same way."

Will returned to his quarters and buried his face in his hands. He was so close to becoming the youngest captain in Starfleet. He had sacrificed everything for his career, including his relationship with Deanna. And now he had guaranteed himself a court-martial, and for what? Captain DeSoto had beamed down anyway. If he died, at least Will could say that he tried to stop him. God, he was such an idiot.

Two months later

Will walked across the bridge of the Enterprise with Captain Picard toward the turbolift. He was still impressed with just how big everything was. Suddenly he sensed a familiar presence. He turned to look, and his heart skipped a beat when he recognized Deanna. But she didn't look happy to see him. She just stared at him with her big black Betazoid eyes.

Do you remember what I taught you, imzadi? Can you still sense my thoughts?

Will suppressed a smile. Not only had his "mistake" given him the second most prestigious job in Starfleet, but it had brought him and Deanna back together. Things were looking up.


Dear Deanna,

I wish I had a holodeck. I wish... I wish a lot of things there's no point in wishing. Sometimes I think about my first assignment, the Pegasus. I never told you about it. I never told anyone about it - Captain Pressman swore me and the other survivors to secrecy. I'm only talking about it now because no one will see this, at least not for a long time. The only reason I'm alive is because I joined Captain Pressman against the mutineers. Just like the only reason I'm down here now is because I led that damn away mission. Maybe this is payback.

I think I knew, deep down, that he was wrong. I've had a lot of time to think about it, to relive that mistake and all the others I've made over the years.

I wonder, if I had known you then, would I have made the same decision? I like to think I wouldn't. I like to think you were a good influence on me. You gave me a reason to stay alive. Every day I imagine how our date would have gone on Risa. I miss you so much, Deanna. So damn much.

Love, Will.