"Are you sure?" Riker is dumbstruck.

"The Federation Senate," O'Brien looks determined. He's clearly given this a lot of thought. "Has established the proper laws, it was all over the news wave... and the only way I can be with my Wife... is if I'm Rejuved, to... I miss her... Captain. I've already talked to Keiko's parents about it. Next time we stop at a Star-Base, I'll depart, and make my way to Deep Space 9... to live with them. They'll be my legal guardians... and take over custody of our daughter. But they promised to let us have a say in how she's raised!" He yells the last part... as if trying to assure himself.

"I'll only be on... 'Rejuve Sabbatical'," he hesitates. Then looks determined again. "So once I turn 16. I only have to take a year long refresher course. Then I'll be reinstated, with my current rank. This will be more like taking a prolonged vacation."

"Why Deep Space 9?" Riker asked.

"It's where Star Fleet was conducting research, on the Rejuve Pod. So their Med-bay already has one... and...

He momentarily lost his nerve. Then found it again. "The Federation is setting up a school there, for Rejuve Kids. Keiko's parents want to enroll us. They insist I use the time, to get a college degree. Said I should be able to make Officer. As I can earn Starfleet credits, at this 'Rejuve Institute'."

• A Few Hours Later.

Riker stepped through the door to his quarters. It was strange actually thinking of these as 'his'. Deanna had recommended he move in here, to keep a better eye on Jean Luc. Originally he planned to just take an empty room but Deanna vetoed that idea. He was relying a lot on her for this entire situation. He'd spoken to her a bit more in private after sending Jean Luc to collect data for his new rec center.

Riker told her about Jean Luc's... little nighttime problem. He knew Jean Luc would be horrified to learn that, but it was obvious that wasn't just going to go away at this point, and Riker had no idea how to handle it. She suggested something he knew Jean Luc would throw a fit about and was wondering how he could possibly convince the boy to do it.

"Jean Luc?" Riker called.

"We're in here Captain," Called a childish voice, that definitely wasn't Jean Luc.

"Guinan?" Riker peeked into the playroom, and saw Jean Luc quickly shoving his action figures into the large 'toy box'. As if trying to prevent himself from being caught doing something sinful.

The 'toy box' was actually a short white dresser with clear drawers, covered in space stickers. The boy used them to organize his collection of action figures and various other toys. The dresser was directly behind the coffee table. So he could conveniently pull the toys out, while he played. It was nice to know Jean Luc actually used them as the whole set up made a nice dent in the weight limit.

"Hello Captain," the little dark skinned girl smiled. "Was your day productive"

"So far," Riker smiled.

The other children stood at attention, not yet shaking their Starfleet etiquette... maybe they shouldn't? It only be a few more years, until they regained their former rank.

It might be best to encourage them, to keep up the level of discipline... its something their child minds were struggling with...

Maybe he could create some made up rank? And assign them task? Like fetching and carrying. Or helping with Tactical Analysis... outside combat. Such as thinking up how to approach diplomatic situations... maybe extend that to helping plan evacuations... Jean-Luc would love that.

"I'm sorry, Mini Officers," That might be a good name for the position? "but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to call your visit short. If I know Jean Luc he still hasn't done his homework yet."

Said boy scowled, "It's Saturday, I don't have any homework."

Riker raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Well not anything that can't wait until tomorrow," The boy insisted.

Riker shook his head, playfully. "Nice try, mister. Get your stuff, and report to my office."

The boy rolled his eyes, just as Riker headed off.

Jean Luc, being a gentleman, escorted all his guests out. Before retrieving his School Datapad, and taking it to Riker's office.

Riker sat at the desk as Jean-Luc sat at the table, and both began their work. Riker picked up the first proposal of the day, and wanted to groan seeing it was for Jean Luc's rec center. The boy was giving him glances, so he obviously intended for him to get that one first.

Riker just sighed, but decided to indulge the boy. This wasn't that long after all, and it be the easiest to get through... or so he thought. "You want a HOVER BOARD COURT!"

Jean-Luc calmly put his pad down, and turned to face Will. "A Hoverboard court was the most popular item, amongst the Teenagers... and one I would particularly enjoy."

"Where would we even put it!?" Riker demanded.

Jean-Luc gives him his best "Captain-y" look... as if Riker is asking a question "un-befitting of an officer". Jean-Luc makes a dissatisfied "hmmm," noise... before saying "Perhaps you should read the entire report." he chastises.

Riker snaps, "And perhaps you should remember, me even considering this, is a favor to the man you used to be." He immediately regrets it... as Jean-Luc folds in on himself... looking as if he might cry.

"I apologize for my disrespectful tone, number one... I'm not at my best right now."

Riker sighs, "I know Jean-Luc, I'll try to be more patient with you." Then goes back to reading the document.

As one would expect, from a proposal written by Jean-Luc Picard... it's remarkably detailed and well organized. Crediting each child's ideas.

Jean-Luc even wrote out statistics, for the unused rooms he wanted to convert. Focusing on 4 empty storage wings. Listing the number of times they were used in full scale evacuations, as was the deck's purpose.

These particular rooms... had never been used... not once in the 7 years since the ship's construction... according to the report, with records of the passenger lists. Less then half of the wings were in use, simultaneously...

There were plans to convert one, into a heavily padded obstacle course, for hoverboards... which had the most thought put into it. With nearly three dozen children contributing ideas for the obstacles, and even a good number of safety features. Such as see through, padded, walls... and 15 feet of solid/clear titanium, for the back wall, so boarders could feel like their riding through the stars.

It wouldn't just be Jean-Luc, crushed, if Riker said "No"... there would be a lot of disappointed teenagers.

From there, the 3 remaining wings, would be combined. Giving them 6 floors, organized by purpose. With self contained elevators and stairs. As their was no need for Turbo-Lifts.

Most of the floors were separated into wings. Each the size of a large theater. or Bigger. Some with quarter sized rooms. Although not many.

Picard also suggested ways to fortify the "Children's District". Such as reinforcing the walls and floors. Then having it run under its own power source. So that even if the ship were to self destruct, this district would be safe. As it would be completely self sufficient.

Picard advised, the terminals, found in every room, be on their own private network. With no access to starfleet files. Along with a subspace transmitter, connecting to the nearest star base. To alert the Federation, and only the Federation, if the Children's District was ever lost in space... presumably after the ship was destroyed.

With Picard, not Jean-Luc as this was clearly his adult half, suggesting totally new protocols, for children and civilians, to be evacuated to this district, whenever there is so much as a yellow alert.

It was a well organized and thought out idea... but it was going to be a bitch to get Starfleet's approval.

Riker looks up at Jean-Luc's hopeful face. "None of this can be done, anywhere outside a star-base. We'll need a complete re-fit... it could take months..." He tries, but sees the hope stolen from his charge's eyes.

Riker sighs, "I'm not promising anything, but I'll request Starfleet approve this."

Oh no, Jean-Luc's beaming now. Riker will have to stress, to Starfleet, how devastated the children will be, if they don't get this.

CODEX:

Children's District layout.

• 1st Floor:

For the adult staff, such as the caretakers, and janitorial staff. Along with a large cafeteria, and the children's focused sick-bay (where the ship could hire a proper pediatric team). And other necessities. Plus a secondary security wing.

So the children would have their own team of bodyguards. Whom specialize in Sheparding children. As most security officers, don't enjoy hunting kids that "play hookie". Nor have the right temperament, or patience, to properly handle children.

That was a suggestion from an Andorian child, that Riker recognized the name of.

Sal Th'tiqos... the "boy", if that's the right word given how Andorian gender works. Well, he had a bad encounter with a security officer, that knew nothing about child care... and had no patience for children. This resulted in the child being physically manhandled, and the officer receiving a reprimand and transfer off the ship.

The "boy" suggested the kids have officers trained in how to handle them. Whom focus on protecting and disciplining them... so what happened to him doesn't happen to anyone else.

Mind he was 9, then, and 13 now, but clearly the incident left scars.

• 2nd Floor:

Filled with clubs, a few juice bars, with limited holo-deck generators. To create themes of varying interest for kids. From "G-rated" Cowboy Saloons, to a recreation of the Star Wars "Cantina Bar". With options to request a 'bar' for a few hours. To celebrate various children's rite of passage ceremonies, like birthdays.

They would also host cultural celebrations. Such as Humanity's Christmas and Halloween. And various other species holidays.

There was also a request, to give this floor 3 theaters. One for the children to have their own recitals. Another for children's plays, they could preform for their families and friends... and one to play old time "movies". Or "binge" classic "television shows".

A Tellarite girl, named Blaf Derrn, wanted the movie theater, as she loved the ancient human Cinema, and many children agreed with her.

Apparently they had a little group, where they watched and discussed films and shows. They wanted a theater, to show off the movies, and their own club house.

There were a lot of requests for cliques to have personal club houses. Including a "Goth" Club, for the kids that like darker themes in their media.

• 3rd Floor:

The kids also wanted an elaborate Arcade. Where the main room, was a truly massive area, taking up a 5th of the floor.

They wanted the main arcade, to be facing the Hover Board Court, with windows looking out towards it. With chairs, couches, and coffee tables, in front of the windows. While filled with arcade boxes, and various other ancient games.

Then, deeper into the Floor. Would be three hallways.

One, containing 4 more limited "holo-courts". Which would only generate fields for various sporting events... but no characters.

Then another hallway had 10 "arenas", to play holographic card games.

Finally, the last hallway, would have 3 whole holo-decks, just for the teens own use. Although with shorter ceilings, while taking up more land.

• 4th Floor:

A number of small parks.

Such as a private garden wing. Where each interested child, could be assigned their own patch.

Along with a small water park. Limited to a few slides, a couple large pools, a wave machine, and sprinklers.

Along with a more traditional park. Of trees, meadows, flowers, and fountains. For walking, bike rides, and picnics.

Then, Jean-Luc suggested, moving the Petting Zoo and the Playground, onto this floor.

• 5th Floor:

The school. With smaller class sizes, organized by Age. There students could learn at their own pace, while still being able to connect with their class-mates.

While the Rejuve Kids, shared their own Class Room.

There were also a number of child friendly science labs.

Plus a number of studios, to train in various cultural arts. Such as to study music, painting, drawing, literature. Three of each studio, depending on Age range.

With one all purpose studio, for Rejuved children. Seems Jean-Luc really wanted more places for kids, in his situation, to feel more like themselves... There were bound to be more Rejuve Kids, in the future, Jean-Luc pointed out in his report, so a Starship needs to accommodate their unique needs, as well.

• 6th Floor:

While the top floor, was for emergency sleeping "quarters". With 42 walls, comprised of 4 high bunk beds. Each with 2 rows of drawers under the bed, a privacy curtain, shelves, cabinets, personal lights, and a Terminal. So people could be quasi comfortable, during an emergency.

Picard made a suggestion, careful to phrase it like a suggestion (Which Riker appreciated). To assign each civilian, not just the children, one of these beds. So they aren't fighting to be near their families and friends, during an emergency. With encouragement to keep a change of clothes, and other necessities, within the drawers. So they aren't rushing to pack, when there is a red alert.