Wesley waited outside the Robinson's living quarters. Wesley needed to get something off his chest that he wasn't sure any of his fellow classmates would understand. The door slid open to reveal Maureen Robinson, but she quickly looked back to tell something to her daughter Judy.
Wesley still had to suppress the urge to spell out all of Maureen's own accomplishments to her, in compliment of course. He had done research on the entire Robinson family once the Enterprise and crew rescued them. They were the first family in space for a reason. They were all brilliant in their own respects.
It seemed Will was the only one Wesley was able to lower in his mind from celebrity like status. Had Wesley really visited Will that much? He tried not to be overbearing, but he also saw Will's need for a friend. Will definitely needed some space, but Wesley wasn't sure how much space to give.
"Sorry about that." Maureen said turning back, "Hello Wesley, are you looking for Will?"
He really had come that often. "Yes Ma'am."
"He's with his robot at the charging station. He's been in there more than our own room, and he won't tell us what he's doing. I believe I do understand him though." Maureen took a deep breath and made eye contact with Wesley. "Thank you for keeping him company."
"Your son makes it an easy task Ma'am."
Maureen smiled and wished him well. Wesley noticed as the door was sliding close that Penny was behind them, listening to the whole conversation. Her face didn't show any positive or negative emotions, just the simple expression of observing. Wesley didn't think much of it however and left toward Will's location.
Wesley opened the door to see Will working on his computer with his robot staring contentedly in silence. Will must have been focused because he seemed to not hear the door open. Wesley Walked over and stood behind the other's back. "Hi Will."
Will startled. "Holy Jupiter!" He turned his chair around while also patting down his hair with the hands that were just messing it up. "Sorry Wesley, you scared me. Are you here to study again?"
Wesley sat down on the other chair, next to Will. "I actually wanted to talk, but if you're busy I can come back at another time." He glanced over Will's shoulder at the computer screen behind, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"No no." Will turned to turn off the computer screen. "That's fine. We can talk." He said turning back.
"What are you working on?"
"Oh nothing."
"Ok. Seams an awful lot of effort into hiding nothing though."
"… Fine. I was just looking into some Starfleet rules and regulations. Nothing interesting."
"What are you looking into?"
"I'm just trying to figure out why I'm not even allowed to see Doctor Smith. He really is of no harm; to anyone one on this ship but especially to me. No one is telling me anything because I'm a child, so I have to look into it myself. They can't put him trial for stowing away on the Jupiter II because that was technically centuries ago. I don't know the current statute of limitations on something like this. Wait, is my situation common? Do you have time travel law? Wait a second. It could be what something one of my family members have said. They've always been rude to the doctor. And yes, he's deserved it, but to get him in solitary confinement? This is all too much. I don't like this, Wesley. It's just, he's always been here. I might not have liked what he was doing, but he was there. And now he's not and I-" Will stopped himself and sighed.
The two boys made eye contact.
Will turned to the side embarrassed. "Sorry. I'm prattling on like I'm talking to my robot."
"What would your robot say to that?"
"Will Robinson is safer without close proximity to that maniacal manipulator."
"He would say that."
"Well, from the stories I've heard your family tell, I will say, your robot's judgment does not seem misplaced."
"I know. I know that. It's just… I want people to understand him. He went up to space with selfish morals. And I just understand how easy it is to give into selfishness up here in space. I know I've had moments I'm not proud of. But yes, he was often times far too selfish, even looking in the best light. I suppose nothing is ever simple. And I just know he needs me. I wish I could see him again."
"I can understand that. I often wish I could see my dad too. Obviously, the situation is different, being that you still see Doctor Smith if you were allowed. But I know that emptiness. I've felt that void too. It's a very lonely feeling. Why are you trying to hide your research?"
"Oh, I didn't need to hide it from you Wesley. It's just because my family doesn't want me doing this. They don't want me talking about the doctor. They want me to forget him and make "new friends". They want me to go to classes and just be a normal child."
"You could. You could join my class so then at least you'll know you have a friend there."
"That's very thoughtful Wesley, but I'm not a normal child. Not here. I might have been on earth, but the moment I left for space, I became extraordinary. And now I've been found in the literal future, where everyone feels extraordinary. The kids on this ship are learning calculus and they're younger than I was when I left on my mission. I'm not smart enough to be extraordinary here, and don't know enough about this future to be normal. All I've really turned into at this point is an anomaly."
"… I'm sorry Will. I won't push the subject. In the grand scheme of things, you haven't been here that long. It takes time to adjust."
"Thank you, Wesley."
"And I also just want to say, I think it's important you understand that around here, you don't have to be 'extraordinary' or 'normal'."
Will rolled his eyes.
"We just want you to feel like you belong."
"Yeah. Says the kid who's absolutely extraordinary."
"I wouldn't say I'm that special."
"You have a personal relationship with the commanding officer of this starship. You're 15 and you became an acting ensign without formal Starfleet training. That seems pretty special."
"Yeah. That all maybe true. But it can come with a few caveats."
"Oh yeah. Like how you got stabbed in the gut?"
"What? Oh no, I wasn't talking about mission dangers. That's only happened once. Commander Riker also turned me 25 that day, so I wouldn't call that a normal day."
"Wait what? You turned 25?"
"Yeah. But only for a couple of minutes. Did I never tell you that?"
"No, you didn't… Did you get any pictures?"
"I don't think so. Why?"
"Because I want to see silly! Didn't you get a look at yourself? Weren't you curious?"
"Maybe, but I was more preoccupied by the loss of my childhood. At least a portion of it."
"Fair enough. Then what are your 'caveats'?"
Wesley clenched his fists a little tighter. That's what he came to speak about today. "I have all this responsibility, but no one's willing to listen to me because I'm a kid. Long story short, I knew officer Data was being impersonated by someone else, and when I attempted to tell the others, both the captain and my mother told me to shut up. To shut up! I understand my tone and where I went wrong, but adults act like they're never wrong! I guess I just wish being a 'bright young boy' came with a little more respect."
"I get it. I'm the youngest in my family, so I was always one of the first opinions to be ignored. It's hard to get the adults to listen to you, especially when they fully believe they're right. Even your mom told you to shut up? Tch, that's rough."
Wesley smiled. "I'm glad I came up here." He knew Will would understand.
Will smiled back. "I'm glad you did too." He glanced out the window and slightly frowned. He was thinking about something, but Wesley couldn't quite pinpoint what. Then Will shook out whatever thoughts he was thinking and smiled at Wesley again. "Why don't you tell me what you have going on? It's fun always being surprised by your answers."
"Let's see. I have a ski class tomorrow."
"A ski class? How on earth… Are you telling me that we're currently heading towards a planet just so the children on this ship can go skiing?"
"Of course not. Wait. Have I never told you about the Holodecks?"
"The Holodecks? I think I remember someone saying something about them. On a tour maybe?"
"I can't believe I've never brought it up. I guess there's just been so much to do. And clearly a lot of other stuff has been on your mind. Here. Things have settled down, at least a little. Let me give you a tour of the ship. A real robust one. I've been giving you space, but you have enough of that out there." He pointed out the small window next to them.
Will smiled, rolling his eyes again.
"Think of it like this. From your perspective, you're in the future! You need to go marvel at it before it becomes your plain old present."
Will shook his head and stood up. "I suppose that makes sense." He took a long glance at his robot before following behind Wesley. "Ok future boy. Amaze me."
Author's Note: I am writing this while watching Next Generation so at the end I will say how far I have watched so that you can at least know that time passed between chapters is going to very.
This chapter takes place after Season 1 Episode 12. (But I've seen up to episode 17)
