I apologise everyone for the formatting issues! More chapters are coming!

"What? Bev you can't be serious! That doesn't sound like Starfleet at all. I mean I know I left after only a year, but I was at the academy for as long as you were. I didn't think they were capable of such an underhanded move!"

"I know, Hope. We're shocked to say the least." Normally I'd be drawn to the plate of Marla Hutchinson's caramel brownies, but I have no appetite. I can't stop thinking about what happened last night. After Jean Luc told me, we tried to put it aside. We tried to have a relaxing family evening, but that didn't work so we just sat up all night agonizing over what we are going to do.

"Well, we have a light patient schedule today so instead of staying and dictating charts, just go home. Be with your husband. Does he have classes today?"

"He has two in the morning and then he's going to come pick up Saoirse and go home. What time is the last patient?"

"It doesn't matter," Hope responds nonchalantly as she shrugs into her white coat, "as soon as Jean Luc comes, you're leaving."

I roll my eyes, "Hope I can't leave if I have patients."

"Bev, I'll take whatever patients you have left. Believe me, I don't think you're going to be any use to anyone right now."

She's right.

Over the past year Hope has become my closest friend. I regret that Deanna and I have grown apart. As far as I know, she's still aboard the Enterprise. I get messages from her every once in a while, but things between us are different now. When we were aboard the same ship, we saw the same people every day and we had much more in common. The crew aboard the Enterprise rotates on a yearly basis as new cadets and personnel come on board. The only people who are truly constant are the senior staff – which too has changed since Jean Luc and I left. Her life is different now and so is mine.

Six months ago Will was granted the rank of captain and he took command of the Titan – a Luna class exploratory vessel. Sadly, I still don't think that they've reconciled a romantic relationship. I'm hopeful, though!

I wave my hands in grateful defeat, "alright, thank you Hope. It means a lot."

"Nonsense, Bev. You'd do the same for me."

/

"Mom, what's going on?"

"Let's wait until we get home, Wes." I pull out of the transport station's parking lot. I'm trying to keep the mood light; I don't want to worry Wes before we talk with him.

He's not fooled, though, "Mom, I can tell something's wrong. Is everything okay with Jean Luc and Saoirse? Did something happen?"

I shake my head, "Everything's fine with them, Wes."

"Okay. Uh, how's work going?"

"It's great. How's school?"

"Fine. Mom, really?"

"Wesley Crusher! When I tell you what's going on I want Jean Luc to be there as well. This is a family matter and I'm not having this discussion with you alone."

"Mom, are you pregnant again?" I can hear a hint of amusement and excitement in his voice.

I can't contain my laughter as I nudge his shoulder, "no! I am not!"

"Ow. Careful, Mom. I'm precious goods!" His face is lit up with laughter and delight as I glance over at him.

His voice sobers, "Is everything okay between you and Jean Luc?"

"Oh Wes," I never want him to think that. Not ever. "No. Everything's perfect between Jean Luc and I. I promise."

His tone changes, "I'm glad. He's really changed a lot, Mom. I know it's only been a year, but he's a different man than he used to be on the Enterprise. I don't remember much of what he was like when I was young, but is this close to what it was like when you all were younger?"

I try to remember, "no. He's happier now."

"I think that's because he's with you. I saw it all over him when we were on the Enterprise. He's always been in love with you. That's why he's so happy, isn't it?"

My eyes sting with building tears and I shake my head, "well," I begin sarcastically, "I don't want to take all the credit but," this isn't a sarcastic matter, it's something veritable and beautiful, "yes. We make each other happy."

/

I look over my shoulder and see a sight I don't see often enough. Wes is sitting at the dining room table bouncing Saoirse on his knee. Her eyes are wide, amusement dances all over her face, and she's letting out the most delightful squeal.

She's only 3 months old, but already I can see hints of a burgeoning personality. She's happy and easy to please. She's peaceful, calm, and even though she's too young to know concretely who Wes, Jean Luc, and I are I can see she loves us.

"Jean Luc," Wes begins, "Mom won't tell me what's going on. I suppose I can't wheedle it out of you either, huh?"

A sad smile crosses my husband's face as he looks over at me and then back to Wes. "I suppose now's as good a time as ever, Wesley."

Wes stops bouncing the baby and settles her against his chest. She wriggles for a moment until she calms and relaxes against him. "You guys are scaring me. Please just tell me."

I sit down at the table beside my husband and lay a hand on his thigh, "The day before yesterday, Jean Luc was contacted by Starfleet."

Confusion is written all over Wesley's face as Jean Luc continues, "Yes. I was in my office when Nakamura contacted me and told me about the most recent political crisis surrounding Praetor Tvorian and the crisis that's building in the Romulan High Council. Starfleet wants to maintain the current balance of power. If Tvorian is able to ascend to authority, the current Romulan-Federation trade agreements and tentative peace treaties will most certainly be dissolved. Starfleet wants me to go to Romulus and mediate between the two governmental factions and see if revolution and overthrow can be avoided."

Wes is silent for a moment but then, "So, are you going to go? Wait. I'm confused: you're no longer in Starfleet. Why would they be contacting you? There are plenty of other captains and plenty other Starfleet politicians. Why you?"

"I don't know, Wes."

"I'm sorry, Jean Luc. But, uh, if you don't want to go- I'm assuming you don't want to go?"

"No. I don't. Starfleet isn't my life anymore." He looks over at me, "You, Saoirse, and your mother are my life and I'm more than satisfied. I have no desire to rejoin the ranks."

"Thank you, Jean Luc." Wes gives a small smile, "so if that's the case, why didn't you just say no?"

Jean Luc takes a deep breath and grabs my hand, "I did. But Nakamura… Nakamura threatened to prevent your graduation from the Academy if I didn't comply with their request."

Wes settled back into the chair and pulled his sister close against him. He didn't answer for a while as he looked at her sleeping figure, "This is because of the incident with Nova Squadron, isn't it?"

"Yes, Wes I'm-"

"No. You and Mom did everything that you could for me. I knew that I should have been expelled and a little part of me knew that the only reason that they didn't kick me out was because of my connection with the great Captain Picard."

"Wes, please. We're going to get to the bottom of this. I'm going to speak with Owen Paris and see if anything can be done."

Wes looks up at us with a smile and I'm suddenly confused. "If this is how Starfleet is going to treat one of her greatest captains, I don't want to be affiliated with it."

"Wesley-" Jean Luc scolds.

"No, Jean Luc. I'm, I'm serious. I won't let you go on this mission. The situation with the Romulans is very serious. I've been following it myself and several people have already lost their lives. If it comes down to it, I'll leave the academy. I have plenty of skills and plenty of job offers from independent companies; I can get a job outside of the 'Fleet. I don't want you to worry about me. Please."

Jean Luc bows his head in gratitude, letting the love that my son has for him wash over. "Thank you, Wesley."

I add: "We're going to speak with Admiral Paris tomorrow, Wes. Hopefully we'll work everything out."

"Wesley," Jean Luc interjects, "you have to believe that I would do anything for you. I would."

"I know, but not this. You're not much good to us if you're dead."

He smiles, "Understood."