Author's Note: I'm taking this story back up, with Tamuril2's blessing. This will be a fusion of my original story, and her Rewrite. Making many tweeks, moving things around, and adding new content.

When the orders from Starfleet Command come through, William Riker was actually sitting in the Captain's Waiting Room.

It's private, the captain's room, which is something Will needs. The entire crew, looking to him for answers. Where should they go? Was their two-year mission still on? What should they do with their newest addition of children? Do they treat them as adults still, or normal pre-teens?

What do we do, sir?

Tell us!

Will ran a hand through his hair. Sure he was going to rub himself bald as Picard... used to be.

It's all a bit much. Everyone leaning on him. He's used to the quick decisions of away missions. Not the steady demands, of day-to-day life.

The sound of bubbling water from the fish tank helps calm his nerves. Probably why Picard had it installed, in the first place. Will was going over some of the daily reports, thankful for Picard's organized system, when his door chimed.

"Come," Riker called.

Although his attention was only half their. As he frowned, at the forums Geordi filled out. Requisition papers for new warp coils. Claiming they were needed within the next few months. Hadn't they just gotten new ones a few weeks ago? At Starbase 57?

The door slid open, revealing the communication's officer. "There's a message from Starfleet Command, sir." Her voice is soft, warm, and approachable. Which helped her in her chosen field... To sound like that, she actually underwent vocal exercises, during her days as a cadet. Riker knew this, because she told him one night... While they were entangled in her bed.

Riker had a "Friends with Benefits" arrangement... bedding most of the unattached females, at least once... and a few of the males... that wouldn't fly, anymore. Not as captain.

Regardless, Riker put Geordi's request to the side. Giving the communications officer, his full attention. "Private or common channels?"

The woman's Bajoran features are smoothed, which can only mean a bad thing. The Lieutenant, Junior grade, only ever hides her emotions when she's really worried. Strategic tactic leftover, Riker's sure, from the Cardassian Occupation of her home world.

Plus, she came personally to replay the message, instead of opting to give it over the coms. His gut says it's going to be bad news.

She adjusts to attention, feet spread apart, hands behind her back. "Priority One Message, sir."

His gut's right, then. "Put it through here."

"Yessir."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

She nods as she leaves.

His computer turns on a few seconds later, and he focuses all he's got on the older man on the screen. He sits straighter. "Admiral Wayler."

"Captain."

The title sends a ripple of fear down Will's spine. "It's only Acting Captain, sir."

"Not anymore." The bald man sighs. "We've cancelled all tests. As of now, Captain Picard is relieved of duty. You are Captain of the Enterprise."

It's a bit of a surprise... though it shouldn't be.

Last month, a transporter malfunction, gave four crew members, the opportunity to relive their teenage years. Unfortunately, one of the affected was none other then Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Star Fleet's 'golden boy'. Will had thought, hoped, they'd spend more time, more resources, on trying to get Picard back, as well as the others.

"It's only been a month, sir. Why give up?" Riker presses.

Wayler's eyes narrow. "It's been deemed too risky an attempt. 70% of all the simulations ended in death. Then the rest had serious physical complications, that couldn't be repaired."

70%.

That's a high number. High enough to certainly make Starfleet Command think twice.

"And Mr. Crusher's input didn't help those numbers?"

"Not even a little."

Will resists the urge to groan. Dr. Crusher will not be pleased to know, her son experimented on himself for nothing. The walloping Westley received, from his mother, for regressing himself to eleven, as well as the Gold Award from the Fleet, is not something the young man is likely to forget, anytime soon.

"And Picard, sir?"

"The Vulcan ship, Arev (desert wind), will rendezvous with you in one week to pick him up." Wayler leans forward. "No one wanted this, Riker, but… Congratulations on your new command."

"Thank you, sir," is what automatically comes out his mouth, even though what's going through his mind is something less polite and more panicked. He's not ready for captaincy yet. A few years from now, maybe…but now? He feels as if he's barely keeping his head afloat.

However, instead of voicing all this, Will settles on the only thing he can change. "Sir, with all due respect, I thought I was the legal guardian of Picard."

"That was on a temporary basis, Captain."

"He seemed very adamant not to go back to his brother, sir." Will folds his hands on the desk. "I doubt he's changed his mind."

"Again, that was all based on a temporary arrangement."

"Is there some reason Starfleet Command wants him earthbound?" Will tries not to sound suspicious, but is pretty sure he fails spectacularly.

Wayler's eyes narrowed further. "Are you implying something, Captain?"

"No, sir, of course not." Will swallowed his urge to shout. "With your permission, sir. I'd like to discuss it with Picard. If he still wishes to stay aboard, I'd like to request a re-hearing for guardianship."

Wayler's lips twitch. "His brother thought you might."

Robert Picard. Will's hands clenched, without him meaning to. It's a well-known fact the two Picard men get along about as well as Vulcans and Romulans. That's is to say, poorly, at best. Will wonders what trouble the elder brother has thrown at Jean-Luc this time. Perhaps some hitherto unheard-of sub clause about family rights over children, or maybe a promise cashed in from some Admiral.

"He told me to tell you," Wayler says, "that he'll allow Picard to stay on the Enterprise on one condition."

Will restrains his relief. "And that is?"

"He wants a test period of two months, with weekly calls, so he can check on his brother."

A trickle of mirth runs through Will. So, the elder brother is feeling protective again, is he? It's actually nice to hear. If Robert had just washed his hands of Jean-Luc, Will might've had to make an emergency trip to earth to pound some sense into the man. But, it's also good news that Robert is willing to let Jean-Luc stay on-board the Enterprise.

This ship means everything to Picard.

Everything.

It might be that Jean-Luc decides, later, to return home to earth, but Will would rather it be on Jean-Luc's terms, not because he was forced to do so. Nothing ever came from trying to force the Captain… no, Jean-Luc's not captain anymore, is he? Will's the captain now.

And won't that take some time getting used to?

"Thank you, sir," Will says. "I'll brief him tomorrow on the situation."

The Admiral nodded, "You should also make them aware, the Senate is currently debating on their legal standing. Given they're hoping to make, Mister Crusher's 'Rejuve Pod', standard medical equipment. Available in every hospital, within the Federation, within 5 years

"They are currently debating what to call it. 'Rejuved', 'De-aged', I'm partial to 'Regressed' myself.

"They are trying to think up laws, for everything this could lead to. Things like, should regressed children go to the same schools as first time children. Should school even be mandatory for them. Should Starfleet officers be able to reclaim their former rank. How many lifetimes of service, before someone should be promoted to captain or admiral. Should you need multiple lifetimes, before you can be elected to public office?

"After being regressed, what biological age is appropriate, to be recognized as an adult. Should the legal age of adulthood, for first time children, be raised? If so, to what age?"

"Should Regressed children be disciplined more harshly, given their emotionally regressed as well, but have the experience to know better... from your reports, the former adults are actually MORE likely to have tantrums. As their filled with frustration over their situation. So they clearly need a firm hand, to help them adjust.

"There is even talk, of having a prison reform. To forcibly regress convicted criminals, in our penal colonies.

"And most importantly, how many years, after Rejuve Pods become standard medical equipment, should these laws go into affect."

Will blinked, that was quite a lot. Sounds like Wesley's "Rejuve Pods" were going to fundamentally alter how the Federation was structured... with few people dying of old age, and the Pods capability of correcting genetic or physical conditions... like Picard's heart... people may begin using it to treat medical disorders, or even for cosmetic surgery.

Just in case, Riker pointed that out.

The Admiral twitched, "I'll be sure to bring that to the Senate's attention." Revealing they hadn't thought of that... what else had they missed? "Regardless, let me repeat my congratulations, Captain. and good luck."

The screen goes black before Will can answer. He releases the tight hold, he's kept in himself, and slides back in the chair. What a day. How is he going to break this to them all?

Guinan won't care. she seems to be reveling in her newfound youth.

Ro…Ro is doing better. Guinan is making sure of that.

Keiko was even adjusting well. according to Captain Emily... O'Brien couldn't handle having a twelve-year-old wife. And their 3 year old daughter didn't recognize Keiko. So, the former botanist, felt it be best if she went back to her parents. She lost the most, but her parents were ensuring she adjust.

No, Will has to be honest with himself, it's Picard that has him worried.

Jean-Luc won't like this loss of control. He never does. Jean-Luc is a man – child, now – who keeps a tight lid on his emotions, his actions, his everything. But now, he's twelve, and has to give up that control.

Will only hopes Jean-Luc trusts him enough to let him help.