On the trip to DS9, Data and Geordie had adopted her. The Federation, wouldn't let an android, adopt an organic. Not a first time child, at any rate. But Data was allowed to adopt a Rejuve.
Ro hadn't wanted an official guardian, and the crew respected that... well most of them. Doctor Crusher had given her special attention. However, it was actually the whole crew that had taken responsibility over her. but with all those new Rejuve laws, she needed a guardian.
... and as Data was looking for a Rejuve child to adopt. it kinda just worked out. So far, it been an interesting experience. Data was actually a very good dad.
• Meanwhile, With Riker:
Will sat with Commander Sisko. The dark skinned man held a noble baring, and a deep voice. Surely he'd make Captain soon. Commanding a space station, was usually a stepping stone, to commanding a star ship.
Will finds his own mouth curving up in response to his mirth. "I guess commanding a station is different."
"Different?" Sisko snorts, swirling the green liquid in his glass and taking a sip. "That's putting it lightly. Captain, commanding a station is one of the most challenging posts Command can give. There's no new planets to distract the crew."
"You have much trouble with discontent?"
"Only from the neighboring planet," he sighs. "Cardassians can really keep things interesting."
Will nods. "Been there a couple of times ourselves."
"Yes, but then you get to fly off, we have to stay and deal with them." he shakes his head ruefully.
Then... Sisko sighed. "Captain. I really don't know if I should be grateful, that this 'test' against the Dominion, is over... when the Prophets moved the wormhole... a lot of ships were trapped in Dominion space."
Riker tenses, not having realized that. Mind, apparently the portal moved immediately after Wesley de-aged himself... and the news just travelled slowly to the more distant Starships.
• Back with Ro.
"No!" Ro stomped her foot. "I refuse."
"Well it is not mandatory," Data began. "For Rejuves to attend school. The rest of your friends will be in attendance. So I believe it will be a good experience for you."
That was that, the decision was made... but it didn't stop Ro from vocalizing her displeasure... at max volume... with lots of... colorful words. Until Geordi lost all patience, and threatened to spank her. Ro had never experienced that, as it wasn't a Bajorian method of discipline... but she certainly didn't wanna experience it.
Thankfully, Data had explained that wouldn't be appropriate for a Bajorian. Given they didn't have the same instincts as most humanoids. Unfortunately, he did know what WAS appropriate, and proceeded to pinch loose skin at the back of Ro's neck. Her body immediately went limp. And she teared up, with promises too be good.
It was awful how that still affected her so.
• An hour later, When Ro walked into DS9's "Community Center".
Ro saw the two together, sitting so close, and laughing... She wasn't jealous. SHE WASN'T. It's just, Jean-Luc was casually flirting with... okay, it wasn't exactly flirting, they just had good chemistry. Personally, Ro thought Jean-Luc was better then to get familiar with a porn star... okay, that wasn't fair either. Ivrillith wrote holo novels, specializing in romance... Ro even played a few, when she was an adult.
They definitely had more plot and lore then common porn... it's actually why just as many people hated it as loved it. Most of the program was story and character interaction. With a lot of... adult situations.
Ro shook her head, trying not to feel threatened. It helped, when Jean-Luc noticed her... the way his face lit up, as he eagerly waved her over.
• Back with Riker.
"Excuse me, Sirs," a green Orion woman says. Her uniform collar is a touch too open in the front. Not enough to risk reprimand, but more than to offer a tantalizing tease of her emerald collar bone.
Sisko shifts forward in his chair. "What is it, Shirra?"
"There's a call for Captain Riker." She flashes an apologetic smile that somehow is still able to come off as flirtatious. "It's from his ward."
Will is halfway up before he checks himself. "Did he say why?"
"No, sir. but he insist it isn't urgent... while also insisting to talk to you." The woman smiled. "Sounds like a case of little boy wants to ask for something he knows he shouldn't."
Will groans, "Tell him he's still grounded. So no, he can't play on the hover court. And he should be grateful I allowed him to even go to the Rec center."
His fellow adults chuckled. Both clearly having children of their own.
"I'll be sure to relay the message."
"Sorry about that," Riker sighed, as the comms officer left. he couldn't believe Jean Luc would dare interrupt this meeting. True, they might both be higher rank, but this is Sisko's station. He's in charge. Etiquette demands, even captains acknowledge the man's authority... even if it wasn't actually written into protocol.
But Sisko waves off the apology, with a half-smile. "I have a boy of my own."
"Thank you." Will sighed again.
• With Jean-Luc.
Jean Luc blushed, not able to ask what he really wanted. He just apologized to the comm officer, face a right pink, and quickly hung up. Returning to the table, Ro looked eager. Even the other Rejuves he knew, looked just as eager.
"Well?" Guinan asked.
"Will says I'm not allowed to play holo's like that," Jean Luc lied. Finding it easier then admitting he couldn't even ask.
Ro pouted, "Great, then Data is likely going to follow Riker's lead."
Ivrillith suddenly exclaimed, "Oh Come on! My latest Holo isn't, THAT, bad. It's PG-13, at best. You'll be lucky if you hold a girl's hand. HOW ARE YOU PINK SKINS THAT PRUDISH. IT'S A BLOODY TEEN HOLO!"
She didn't feel comfortable, writing more mature stories. Not with this prepubescent body... she didn't even get the same level of endorphin release, from writing her sexy scenes, as she used to. Her body just wasn't built for sex. Not anymore, she didn't actually feel a craving for it.
It was legal to have sex with a rejuve... but with how her own body was... she didn't think it should be. Just more old humans, making laws over issues they don't understand.
Jean Luc blushed, wanting to sink into the table, just as Guinan stated, "You didn't even ask him, did you." it didn't even come out as a question.
Wesley started laughing. While Ivrillith looked offended.
"I just don't wanna play a romance novel, teen or otherwise." Jean Luc blushed. "Besides Riker didn't even let me ask. Instead I received a telling off about hoverboards. Something I did not even think to ask. I wasn't trying to get him to lift my restriction." Jean Luc did not pout.
He was merely... frustrated, Riker wouldn't give him the opportunity too ask for something, he didn't actually want... it was a bizarre feeling.
Wesley smiled, "know my pain." he joked.
• Back with Riker.
"Kirk is here?" Will gaped.
"His whole senior staff is here," Sisko smirked. "They're all going to that Rejuve school. The one your ward starts tomorrow."
"Jean Luc is going to HATE that," Will laughed. "He's had... less then kind things to say about those "Cowboys"."
"He better not start anything," Sisko still didn't feel... entirely comfortable around Picard. The Borg attack, thar Picard had led... had killed his wife.