The two were sitting in the CMO's office. Wesley had explained everything to his mother, while Taurik had sat hunched into a ball on the seat, afraid to look at either of them. It was hard enough to share this with Wesley, but he was afraid of how Dr. Crusher would take it. He half expected to be in trouble.

She did not seem very happy, that was for sure. The few times Taurik had dared to glance at her, her expression was tight and fierce. And when he accidentally met her eyes, he had looked back down in fear of her strong looks. He wasn't sure, but she looked like she was angry at him, most likely for putting her son in danger. Taurik didn't blame her. Now that the ordeal was over, he felt that what he had done was incredibly selfish and manipulative. He had taken advantage of Wesley's friendship and trusting nature and put him in danger. And it was only a temporary solution; Taurik wasn't sure how this would affect Wesley seven years from now.

"You should have come to me from the very start, Taurik," Beverly said sharply.

"Mom," Wesley interrupted. "He didn't feel that he could. He didn't want to divert the ship."

"I understand that, but you shouldn't be making decisions like that on your own. I'm positive the captain-"

"I couldn't have the captain know!" Taurik interjected. "Forgive me, Doctor, but you don't understand-"

"What I do understand, Ensign, is that the safety of this ship and crew is paramount," Beverly said, but in a warmer tone. She took a seat next to Taurik and gave him a look of compassion. "What if Wesley had not been there? You would have died."

"But the ship's schedule-"

"Is not more important than a life," Beverly insisted. "It wouldn't have mattered if we had to go half way across the galaxy, Taurik. If that would have saved your life, we would have without question. Star Fleet would have given us an extension on the test, and everyone waiting to come aboard could just wait a bit longer." She put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to suffer these things alone."

"But as a Vulcan, I must. It is a personal ordeal."

"Perhaps if you were on a Vulcan ship, or back home. But you're here. Taurik, I'm not judging you or your customs. None of us are. We host a variety of diverse cultures on the Enterprise, and we all have own situations. It's not a great hassle for the ship to accommodate people. In fact, it's Command policy. No one will ever think any less of you if you seek help when you really need it."

Taurik looked to Wesley, who smiled back. He looked down again before finally nodding. "Aye, Sir."

Satisfied, Beverly stood up and went back to her desk. She began entering data into the computer. "Well, you both can resume your watch rotations. I'll let your department heads know only what they need to, which won't be very much. If you get even a hint that the fever's coming back, you report to me immediately. That's an order."

"Aye, Sir."

"And just one more thing," she said, standing up. She leaned on the desk and glared at them both hard. They both were uncomfortable under her gaze and wondered what it could be about. "If you two want to get married, I won't try to stop you. But please. Make sure it's the right decision, for you both. And not just an act of desperation. I'm going to want a ceremony."

Taurik's face flushed green, but otherwise he was stock still and expressionless. He didn't dare look up at either of the Crushers, however, certain that he'd embarrass himself even further.

Unencumbered by such restraint, Wesley got up and threw his arms around his mother's shoulders. "You'll be the first to know," he laughed.

She hugged him back and when he let go, laughed, "Alright. Dismissed."

Taurik nodded curtly and left with Wesley, just glad to be out of there. The two walked down the hall in silence for a while, until Wesley broke it. "We don't have to make any decisions until you're ready, you know."

Taurik didn't answer for a moment. "I would be pleased to marry you, Wesley. If that's what you'd want. It's true, I mated you out of desperation, but I don't regret it."

"I don't regret it, either. And I still think something like this would have happened eventually."

Wesley made them both stop in the hall. He took both Taurik's hands in his own and met his eyes. "But really, we don't have to do anything different. I don't mind waiting, really. In fact, I think it's a good idea if we wait."

"As do I. We do have seven years."

Wesley laughed at how matter-of-fact Taurik was about it, and then at Taurik's confused look. He patted Taurik's shoulder. "Then there's no rush. But, right now we better hurry up and get to our stations. I don't know how much longer Commander Riker will wait for me."

"I'm sure he's already pacing the bridge."

Wesley smirked. "Great. Well, I'll see you later?"

"Much later, I'm sure." Taurik raised his hand in a V, and Wesley smiled and did the same.

###

A crestfallen Ensign Crusher shuffled through the lobby. He brightened when he spied Taurik heading for him, but his smile was mirthless.

"I take it the test was harder than you anticipated," Taurik said. His tone wasn't exactly comforting, but Wesley didn't expect it to be.

"Yeah," Wesley answered. He gazed at the floor, but didn't offer any more sentiment. Taurik didn't try to prod more from him. He relaxed a bit when he looked back up at Taurik. "Bet you got every question right."

"There were two I was unsure of," Taurik answered. "But now I know which areas to prepare for, for next time."

Wesley frowned. "Next time? What do you mean? You aced the test, right?"

Taurik started walking out of the building, with Wesley at his side. "My rate is closed for advancement this time around," he explained. "Apparently Star Fleet has far too many Lt. Junior Grade engineers."

"Damn! I'm sorry!"

"It's quite alright. I suppose I would have been disappointed if I hadn't already known."

Wesley shook his head. "You already knew? And you didn't tell me."

Taurik raised an eyebrow. "Why would I? I could have guessed what you would have done."

"Oh? And what would I have done, if you're such an expert."

"You would have been distressed on my behalf, despite my assurances that I am quite content to wait for the next test, and that would have distracted you from studying for your own."

Wesley stopped. By now they were standing outside. The Star Base was located on a lovely, Earth-like planet, and it was nice to feel the sun on their skin. "And yet I failed anyway. So your plan didn't work."

Taurik looked down. "You failed because you were too busy taking care of me."

Wesley put a hand on Taurik's shoulder. "Hey! That's not why I failed, OK? And your help with my studying did a lot of good. It was my own fault I wasn't prepared." He slipped his hand to Taurik's neck and stroked softly. "Small price to pay to help you through that, even so."

Taurik looked up, with the restrained ghost of a smile on his lips. His eyes shone with contentment no smile could ever mimic, however. "I have given you the perfect excuse to blame me instead of yourself, and you reject it. Typical human."

Wesley poked Taurik in the ribs, something the Vulcan still wasn't used to. He jerked back and fought to keep his composure, while Wesley laughed, and was soon led along by Wesley's arm around his waist. "Why don't we two failures see if they have any tennis courts around here?"

"I must warn you, I have been practicing."

"For your sake, I hope so!"

THE END