Wesley was waiting for class to start so he could fail at paying attention to the lecture. He tried his best to stay engaged, but he had already mastered the topic when the teacher said they were going to be studying it. Ever since he had gotten the role of acting ensign, he started working on more personal projects. The only real reason he was still in class was to develop relationships with children his own age.

He tried so hard to not act 'superior' to them, but he could feel that some of his fellow classmates still felt that way. He had talked to counselor Troi about it, and she said that he couldn't control what the other classmates thought and to try to focus on the classmates who didn't feel that way. He was trying his best, but it was hard. And he felt more alienated class after class, like more kids were turning on him, especially when he got to miss class to go work on the bridge.

He was being too hard on the others. He knew that. If he were in their position, would he not feel the exact same way? Counselor Troi was right. He needed to focus on the positives. He had friends here. He needed to work on being grateful for them.

Wesley's teacher walked in interrupting his thoughts. "Good morning class. We have a special new student joining our class today."

Everyone's heads perked up. That's right. They were just at a starbase. They must have picked up a new family there. The room was filling with excitement. Their class rarely has new students. Being in space you would expect them to be rare. The last new student who joined them was Lal, and she was greeted with mixed reviews. She also only attended a handful of classes.

"Everyone. Please Welcome Will Robinson to our class."

Wesley was shocked. The Robinsons left the Enterprise soon after they had been found. They were heading back to earth. To their home. That was over a year ago. How could they be back?

Will didn't say anything but looked around the classroom with a smile that Wesley could tell was fake. His smile only faltered once he caught sight of Wesley. He looked panicked for a split second, and then he looked away toward the teacher, fake smile back intact.

"We don't have assigned seating, so take your pick of anywhere that's free."

Wesley took a quick glance at the empty seat next to him, but when he looked back over to Will who was already heading toward the other side of the classroom.

Wesley was crestfallen. How could he not have heard that the Robinson's were back on the Enterprise? They were famous for goodness' sake! Why hadn't Will tried to contact him the moment he got on board? And why was he avoiding him now?

Wesley watched Will the entire class. Then he realized the rest of his classmates were doing the same. That must not have felt great. But Wesley had a good reason to! Once the class ended Will bolted out of there before anyone could start a conversation.

Wesley had to figure out what he was going to do about this.

Wesley should wait. He hadn't knocked yet, so he still had the option to wait. The evening had hardly started, and he was standing outside the Robinson's door.

Will was avoiding him. That was evident by his seat choice, but Wesley for the life of him couldn't figure out why. He didn't delude himself; This was most likely not about Wesley at all. He backed away from the door. Will needed space. This wasn't about what Wesley wanted right now.

…But it was still hard to resist. It took every ounce of willpower to not knock on that door. Wesley started walking away.

Suddenly, the door slid open, Will came rushing out holding a round robotic head. "I'm just exploring the ship some more. Please don't worry about me. Or try to follow for that matter. That means you Penny. I just need alone time that's truly all."

The door closed and Will started walking. Speaking to his robot, he said "They didn't believe me the first time, so why should this time be any different? Shame on me for believing so. Well I don't care if no one believes me. I'll just have to figure this out on my own. And with your help robot, of course."

Looking at the robot's head instead of where he was going, Will bumped right into Wesley.

"Oh! So sorry sir. Pardon-" Will paused once noticed who he'd bumped into. He looked up at Wesley in shock.

"I'll believe you." Wesley said.

Will studied Wesley's eyes, trying to find any indication of insincerity.

Will and Wesley found a secluded spot on the ship. Will placed the robot's head on the center of the small table in front of them. The two boys stared at each other.

Wesley had too many questions for formality and dove straight in. "How on earth are you back on the Enterprise? It's been more than a year since we dropped you off. Why are you back?"

"A lot happened once we got back to earth… And clearly a lot happened here as well. It looks like you got a new shirt in my absence. It looks great."

"There's no time for that. oh." Wesley looked down inspecting his shirt. "Thank you, but enough about that. I need your story Will."

"Ok ok. I suppose it would be surprising to you."

"You think? I assumed I'd never see you again. I'm so happy I was wrong! Please, continue."

"We arrived on earth and were greeted like celebrities."

"Because you basically are."

"It felt odd all the same. Anyways, Starfleet quickly contacted my mother and father. Turns out we know a lot the federation doesn't know. Mother and father were quote 'experts' on historical alien life. Experts before even joining. Go figure. They were fast-tracked into the Starfleet ranks."

"I guess that would make sense. But that still doesn't explain why your family is stationed here on the Enterprise."

"Ah yes. We were on earth for a while. It felt content for a moment, but then it felt… odd for lack of a better term. Odd for all of us. We all agreed that it felt like the first time we went back to earth after getting lost."

"Excuse me? I've done extensive research on your family, and there's no records of you finding your way back after embarking."

"Extensive research. On me? Why Wesley, you're making me blush."

"Quit your taunting. If your family made it back to earth, then what could have happened to make you want to leave again?"

"It was like now. We had traveled through time. We had left earth in 1997 but arrived in the 1950s. It was so different Wesley. It was earth, but it felt like a different world. My dad said back then we didn't belong in that time. So we went back up into space. That's how it felt this time too. Judy and Don stayed back on earth though. I guess they felt they could get used to it quickly enough."

"So Starfleet let your family come aboard because you all felt uncomfortable there?" That train of thought puzzled Wesley. He didn't know command made such special accommodations.

"There was another reason for my father. Seeing as how long we stayed on different planets, you could also call us experts on away missions, in a sense anyways. Father wants to get back out there in the field. He wants to touch alien soil again. I understand where he's coming from." Will was lost in thought for just a moment. "He rationalized with command that even if he was not cleared to go on away missions yet, he could still give valuable advice from the ship while they were taking place. He asked to be stationed here while he finished up his training and getting his clearance."

"I see. And you said that was your father's reason. Does Mrs. Robinson not want the same thing?"

Will smiled at the thought. "No. She was adamant about never being under stress like that again. She came to stay with father while also finishing up her training. But that's not to say she also didn't have another reason." Will frowned at the thought.

"Oh? What was it?"

"The reason I stormed off earlier."

"That's right. Tell me everything."

It looked like Will was about to start explaining, but suddenly became hesitant. Wesley was surprised how disheartened he felt when he saw that.

"Is that why you avoided me in class today Will?" Wesley didn't know if he should push, but he needed answers.

"Oh that." Will looked down into his lap, contemplated, then looked back up at Wesley. "Yes and no. I shouldn't have done that. Yes, I was being persuaded in a sense, but I also felt bad that I wasn't able to give you a proper goodbye before getting corralled of this ship."

"I knew you couldn't control that."

"And I knew you would understand. I just let my emotions get the best of me this morning. I'm sorry about that Wesley."

Wesley was relieved it wasn't anything more than that. "I completely get it. Don't let it bother you anymore. But could we circle back to the part where you said you were persuaded?"

"Yes. Yes I'll explain. Do you remember the doctor I told you about when we first got here?"

"Dr. Smith? Of course I do. What about him?"

"Well, once we were almost back to earth, I was allowed to visit him again, despite my families' protests. He was being sent to a different city than we were, so I guess they were letting me say my goodbyes. What we talked about wasn't all that important, but at the end of the conversation, he promised me he would find a way to contact me again. I didn't think much of it. I just assumed he meant he would come and find us on earth. But that's not how it happened. He managed to contact me, but in a rather peculiar way."

"How?"

"Through our minds Wesley! One day it was like he suddenly opened up a communication link in my brain, and we were able to talk through thought!"

"Really?"

"Yes! The doctor refused to tell me how he was doing it, but at the time I didn't really care. I was just happy to get my friend back. I told my family about this new revelation. That was my first mistake. They started freaking out. At first, they thought it might be some sort of alien technology he somehow managed to get. But command assured them that he had no such possession. Then they thought I was going through some sort of PTSD. So I started going to therapy, but I knew it was more than that.

"Then my father started talking about wanting to go to space again. And one day I overheard my parents talking and mother was going on about how she wanted to go to space too to get me as far away from the doctor as possible."

"So that was her second reason."

"Yes. And I thought her plan had worked, since he didn't contact me during our travels to the starbase you picked us up from, but once we were on board the enterprise again, he started talking to me again."

"Odd."

"I know. And so I just told my family today that he was contacting me again. They looked so scared for me Wesley. I quickly backtracked and told them it was the PTSD acting up again and requested I started seeing the ship's counselor. They all looked relieved after that. That's when I knew I was in this alone. So I felt our room and bumped into you and that's how we got here."

"How very peculiar. But now you're not in this alone. Not now that you've got me."

Will smiled back at Wesley.

"Can you contact Dr. Smith?"

"No. He's the only one who can open up communication, but then I can talk back to him. Well, think back to him."

"…Was there a reason he was telling you to avoid me this morning?"

"Oh, the doctor just doesn't want me getting close with anybody. He keeps telling me he's the only one I can trust now. But obviously I know that isn't true." Will grabbed Wesley's arm and gave it a light squeeze in recognition of their bond.

"I see. And can he hear everything we're saying now?"

"No. He always needs me to summarize what I've been up to."

"Well that's at least a little relief. Then all that's left is the biggest question. What has he been contacting you about?"

The robot wanted to at least add something to the conversation. "That pernicious plotter has been concocting schemes to get Will Robinson back to earth."

"that's right. He says he'll do anything to get us back together, even if it means making me take over and steering this whole ship."

Wesley was stunned.

"But there is no possible way he could make me do that. He might be able to talk to me, but he can't physically control me, so that's not going to happen. Right now I'm trying to figure out how he is contacting me lightyears away and trying to stop it. I thought it was a fool's errand, but now I have you. So maybe we can figure this out together."

Will stretched his arms around the robot head and placed his hands palms up in front of Wesley.

Wesley took Will's hands in his own to let him know that he wasn't alone anymore. He was telling Will he now had help in his little mystery, and that he now had a real friend.

This takes place after S3E17.