Author : Alanna Lionne

Title : Gone With the Enterprise

Rating : Like most things, a PG or mild PG-13

Pairing : This is the first in my ‘The Other Imzadi’ series, which follows two entirely different Imzadis…

Summary : Too much to write in one sentence.

Feedback : The usual

Author’s Note and Disclaimer : Usual stuff about Paramount. This was written before Sarah Brightman songs were inserted into every one of my stories. Some of the characters are mine and solely mine, so if you actually find them interesting enough to use, ask me first.

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Chapter One

Annoying Doorbells, Personal Logs and A Transporter

"Captain's personal log," began Jean-Luc Picard, age 60, "stardate 41567.2. We are awaiting the arrival of an experienced officer and as we are told, engineer, from the U.S.S. Carlin. Our warp drive was damaged and we are literally "dead in space". However, some delay has kept this officer on the-" He was interrupted by that ANNOYING BUZZING DOORBELL!!! (Here's a secret: the reason he sounds so cross and never speaks in complete senteces is because of his annoying doorbell).

"Come!" he said gruffly. The doors opened and his first officer, William Riker, stepped through. He was a tall, dark-haired human with a slight mischevious glint to his eye. "The Carlin is beaming their officer over." Jean-Luc jumped up, relieved they were finally sending him (or her) over. He merrily strode out the door.

Arriving in the transporter room, the two found waiting perhaps the most beautiful woman on the ship: Deanna Troi. She was half-human, half-Betazoid and therefore made an excellent ship's counselor. (Because she could sense emotions)

Suddenly the transporter began to glow in front of them, and a shimmering figure materalized. She was as tall as Deanna, perhaps taller, with long, slightly curly black hair and sparkling, yet secretive emerald green eyes, and was wearing a typical Starfleet uniform, in scarlet.

"Scarlett Troi is my name," she said, stepping off of the transport platform. "Fixing your warp drive is my game." Deanna didn't know what to say. So she sent her cousin a telepatic message.

Scarlett, what are you doing here? I thought you were still on Betazed. And who's really supposed to be fixing our warp drive?

Without moving her lips, Scarlett replied, I am fixing your warp drive and no, I'm obviously not on Betazed anymore.

Deanna felt Will's eyes boring into the back on her head. Look, we'll talk later.

Taking Scarlett by the hair she said, "Captain, Will, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Scarlett Troi."

The captain extended his hand, and Scarlett rolled her eyes. "You expect me to kiss your hand? C'mon. How tacky can you get?" Will stifled a smile. Scarlett looked down her nose at him disprovingly. "Don't think such things, Commander. Your captain certainly won't like it." Jean-Luc glared at Will and Scarlett both. "I'm not in the mood for jokes," he said sternly. "We need our warp drive fixed." Scarlett retrieved her newly-beamed aboard bag. "That's why I'm here," she replied cheerfully. "You better show me where your engineering is." When no one said anything, her mood shifted. "All right, I'll show myself," she said, imitating Jean-Luc's stern voice. ‘’You’re in hot water this time, Number One.’’ She was gone before anyone could reply.

Left in her wake, Will turned to Deanna. "Mother's side, right?" Staring at the door, she said, very softly, "How did you guess?"

Chapter Two

Wesley, A Book and A Bunch of Clothes

Scarlett found the Enterprise to more confusing than she had imagined. It was a bunch of twisting, maze-like tunnels. After leaving the transporter room, she found herself going around and around. After what must have been the seventeeth time, she started looking for someone to give her directions on how to get off of the boring deck. Her head was turned and she didn't see the boy, his nose buried into an old-fashioned Earth book, eyes cast down, until they ran into each other. Scarlett's bag popped open and her things went everywhere.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" exclaimed the boy, bending down to retrieve the things. Scarlett went down too, her mind zooming in on his thoughts. Who is this beautiful girl? he was thinking. Scarlett giggled in her head. This boy was nice!

As he stood up, everything retrieved, he said, "H-hi. My name is, um, um,-"

Wesley! his brain was screaming. Wesley Crusher!

Scarlett felt it right to step in here. "Wesley Crusher?"

"Yeah. How did you know?" Scarlett felt her cheeks turn the color of her name. "Um, you see, I, um--" She paused and said, "My name is Scarlett Troi. Does that explain anything?"

"Oh, so you're Betazoid!" said the boy. "Cool." Scarlett smiled. "Anyway, can you tell me where the ship's engineering is?" Wesley wasn't about to let go just yet. "It would be a lot easier for me to show you," he replied. Scarlett felt like her face was about to break. "All right," she said shyly. To Wesley it was an act of kindness. To Scarlett it was a heroric deed.

Chapter Three

Annoying Doorbells Ring Again

A few hours later it was the annoying doorbell on Scarlett's quarters that was ringing. From outside, Deanna waited as patiently as possible. She was somewhat miffed with her cousin, although she didn't know why. Finally, she could wait no longer. "Computer, override locks on these quarters," she said, and the doors opened. When Deanna stepped in, she was expecting the ordinary quarters, but Scarlett added a few personal touches. The bed had a shimmering cover on it, and a wispy scarlet drape graced the space around it. On the table, a little fountain bubbled. The windows now had satin scarlet curtains. But her cousin was nowhere to be seen.

"Scarlett!" called Deanna. She heard nothing. She tried another attempt. "Scarlettamaria Troi!" she called again. (Scarlett hated the name Scarlettamaria, so she told everyone her name was Scarlett) Then she noticed a padd laying on the table, dangerously close to the edge. She took it carefully into her hands, not knowing what to expect. "Dearest Deanna," she read aloud, "while wandering through this maze of passageways you call a ship, I literally ran into a charming boy named Wesley Crusher. He showed me where your engineering room was, and then invited me to dinner, which is the reason why you're reading this note. Obviously, I said yes. Don't expect me back too soon. Love ya lots. Your head-over-heels cousin, Scarlett." With a sigh, Deanna dropped the padd back on the table. "She's beginning to remind me of Mother," she murmured. Then she tried to telepathically tell Scarlett to come home. However, she didn't have complete telepathic connection.....

Meanwhile, in the quarters Wesley shared with his mother, he and Scarlett were eating a delicious dinner and enjoying fascinating conversation. Wesley yearned for a way to impress his date, and once he said, "When I was fifteen, Captain Picard made me acting ensign. People say I'm the youngest officer ever."

"Mind if I tell you a story?" asked Scarlett. When Wesley shook his head, she continued,"My mother was-"

Then she heard, Scarlettamaria, you come here now. Deanna had finally made connection. Scarlett jumped up from the table, nearly spilling her glass. "Wesley, I have to go," she blurted out. Wesley stood up, concerned, saying, No, Scarlett, no! But then he said, "Can I walk you to your quarters?"

Thank goodness! Scarlett nearly exclaimed, but caught herself. "That would be nice, Wesley."

When Scarlett walked through the doors to her room, she saw a miffed Deanna sitting on her scarlet pillow. And Deanna saw a cocky young Betazoid girl, wearing a traditional dress from their homeplanet, who fiddled with a silver object that looked much like a phaser.

The stare of her cousin told Scarlett this was not going to be fun. "Sit down and tell me what's going on here," said Deanna, nearly commanding. Timidly, she did as she was told. I don't want to say anything. It's too hard. It's too painful. It's too--

I get your point, Deanna replied. What happened?

Scarlett sighed out loud. It was like this. My mother was so proud of you that she wanted me to be a counselor, too, just like you. So she sent me off to learn the basics. But I didn't want to do that. I wanted to command my own starship. But Mother insisted. So I went off. And one day, when our warp core malfunctioned, I accidentially bumped into a computer panel and fixed it. People started calling me "Wonder Woman" but I was only eleven. Does that name have some kind of special meaning to it with humans? Anyway, I later caught the captain when he was tripping. So he made me lieutenant commander. And I'm thinking "How dim is this guy?" But anyway, I stayed on the ship, met up with your mother a few times--Here she frowned--And now I'm here. Ta-da. Anyway, Deanna, my mother and father are both dead. And according to the traditions of Betazed, I have to live with Aunt Lwaxana. Oh bundle of joy. But I was hoping I could just stay on the Carlin. Think you can pull a few strings? Deanna pulled her cousin close to her. A tear fell on Scarlett's hair. She barely mumbled, "Yes." The anger was gone. Only compassion remained.

Chapter Four

Betazoid Clothes, An Embarassed Captain and A Kiss

The next day, Scarlett donned something more comfortable to her: a scarlet knee-length dress and black leggings. Her black boots laced up to her mid-shins. A few diamonds glittered at the dress collar. A scarlet hat with turned up ends alighted on her head. She barely remembered to put on the little commbadge thing, remembering all this protocol was keeping her on the Carlin.

When Wesley appeared at her door, two things happened. One: Scarlett nearly jumped him and two: Wesley's eyes widened. "Where'd you get that?" he said.

"It's what in on Betazed," replied Scarlett, her eyes never leaving his. "Oh, sorry about the interruption last night. It's family business."

"No big deal," Wesley said. "The past is the past. Anyway, where do you need me to escort you to today?"

"The bridge."

Wesley's eyes grew large again. "I don't know," he said skeptically. "Captain Picard's awfully picky about his equipment. Why do you want to go there?"

"I need to show them how to get Warp 9.5 working when I get it installed and I need to see if Jean-I mean, Captain Picard is all right. Something happened last night, Wesley. I know it." The two strode down the hall while she said this, and Wesley caught a turbolift. Inside, Scarlett gave Wesley a quick peck on the cheek. "Dinner again tonight?" she said, completely changing the subject. Blushing, Wesley said, "Sure. How about Ten-Forward?"

"Ten what?"
"Ten-Forward. It's the best social place on the ship. It's not just a restaraunt, it's a gathering place and sometimes home to special events."

"Oh yes, we have one of those on the Carlin. It's "The Mess Hall" but it's usually more of "The Messy Hall."

By this time, the turbolift had arrived at the bridge and the two stepped out.

Jean-Luc turned at the sound of the doors. Oh no, here comes trouble, he thought.

Scarlett stepped toward him. "Excuse me?" she said, obviously angry. "I believe you are mistaken. My name is Scarlett, and if you want to be formal, Scarlettamaria Troi. But I know why you don't like me. It was the bad experience with your daughter."

Everyone turned to stare at the captain, even Deanna, who for any matter should have sensed it coming. "Her name was Alexis (charming name)," she continued, hopping up onto the rail, "and she was really your brother's daughter, but he abandoned her with you and thus you adopted her. And then she was taken away and killed. That has to be painful. But even though it's hard for you to like kids, do ya have to hate them? There are many nice children out there, including Wesley-"She put her delicate hand on his shoulder-"but next year, according to ancient Earth laws, he won't be a child anymore. Will you hate him for being a child? Open your eyes, Je-Captain Picard. Everyone, well, with the exception of this fine man Data here, was a child. How about your first officer, eh?" She slid down the railing until she was sitting next to him. "Do you hate him for being a child?" She got off and walked over to Deanna. "And my lovely cousin Deanna? Do you hate her? I don't think so. And so, um, Captain, you must have to hate yourself for being a child at one point in your life. That was when you had a full head of hair-" Here she paused and recited a rather naughty poem going somewhat like this:

"That is a replicator

That is a chair.

You are a man who has no hair."

She took a deep breath and said, "But I can see you don't hate yourself (or your hair loss). What do you have to say on the matter now, Mr. Pickard--er, sorry, Picard. Huh?"

The captain, taken aback, tripped over his own words like over untied shoelaces. "I, um, you see-" Finally he sighed and admitted, "You have outwitted me. I apologize, Commander. You too, Wesley. I just didn't realize..."

"That's okay. Just DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!" exclaimed Scarlett.

"I agree," said Wesley.

Suddenly, Data said, "Sir, sensors are picking up an unidentified ship ahead." Picard slid foward just a bit. "On screen," he ordered. A large, beige ship with a clunky helm ornament that looked like a giant potato came into view.

"What???" Jean-Luc breathed. A potato! What an awful thing to put on the helm. I've only seen one person who would actually be brainless enough put a potato on their helm. No, it couldn't be.....

"Hail them," he demanded. Wesley did as he ordered. "No response, sir," he replied. Scarlett moved closer to her cousin. They want something, Deanna, she barely murmured in her head. I don't know what...

I sense it, too, she told Scarlett. The girl wrung her hands. She couldn't stand suspense. She stepped forward toward Jean-Luc. "Something's going to happen," she said. The captain didn't reply. Suddenly, he began to disappear. "Raise shi-" he said before he was gone.

Chapter Five

A Vanishing Act, Shields and The Holodeck

"You heard the man, raise shields, red alert," Will said. At the sound of the siren, Scarlett jumped and landed with a bump on Will's lap. "Sorry, sir," she said, acting demotedly, but with a certain glint to her eyes, and climbed out. Wesley was smiling. Will was not. "What's so funny, Wesley?" asked Scarlett angrily. The smile quickly vanished. "Nothing," he muttered.

Suddenly what appeared to be Jean-Luc—smiling--appeared on the viewer. "Beam me over," he told everyone. "A junk collector took me by accident." Then he disappeared.

"Lower shields," ordered Will.

"No, don't!" exclaimed Scarlett. Will turned to look at her, his expression not pleased. "And why not?" he asked harshly. The young Betazoid girl was still transfixed to the viewer. "That's not Captain Picard. I don't know who it is, but it's definitely not your captain." Do you sense that, Deanna? she added.

Will rose. "Wes, I'd like to speak with you. Alone. Data, you have the bridge." He strode out. I do not like this girl, he thought haughtily.

"I'll get the helm," said Scarlett, moving over as Wesley pushed the panel over. Sitting down and sliding the panel back into place, she told him, "Go on. Go listen to your "commanding officer." She glowered. "See if I care." Data looked at her before going over to the captain's empty chair. "This is what humans call anger, correct?"

"I would know, wouldn't I?" Scarlett replied harshly. "If I was human!" She sighed. "Sorry, Data. I guess I am angry." She stared out at the mysterious ship. The images of the endless sky, the giant potato and the brilliant stars seemed to blend together. She closed her eyes, and desperately tried to pry into the Jean-Luc lookalike's thoughts.

Meanwhile, Wesley sat across from Will in his own quarters. Even the familiar place made him on edge. "Wesley, it has been noted that you have spent a lot of time with this Scarlett," Will said. "How much do you know about her?"

"Not much," Wesley replied. "I do know she's Betazoid--completely Betazoid--and is sixteen years old. Her father died when she was very young and her mother just a few years ago. That's all. She can be trusted. If she can't, no one can."

"For only knowing her one day, Wes, that's a lot to say."

"Well...Commander....it's more than that. It's not just the "She's pretty enough. She'll do" sort of thing. It's more." But the idea that maybe Scarlett was a Romulan or Breen or Ferenghi, for that matter in disguise, haunted him.

While all this was going on, Scarlett had been listening to it all. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hear the lookalike's thoughts. But she could hear Will's and Wesley's. I'm positive she's lying to us about Captain Picard, thought Will. When the two returned to the bridge, he said, "I'll take the helm now, Scarlett." But his mind thought, I wonder if I can trust her...

"That's Commander Troi to you," she snapped, and yanked the control panel out. "What did I do?" Wesley asked. "It's not what you did, it's what you thought," she replied. "Fine!" shouted Wesley as Scarlett stormed into the turbolift. "Fine!" she screamed back.

She thought, making sure her cousin heard it, Don't come looking for me, Deanna, as the turbolift doors closed. And she was gone. Making sure Scarlett was definitely gone, Deanna followed her footsteps. "Wait!" shouted Wesley, and caught the next turbolift just before the doors would have closed.

The duo thouroghly scoured the ship before Wesley finally said, "Computer, locate Scarlett Troi."

"Scarlett Troi is in holodeck 1," said the mechanical voice. Deanna and Wesley exchanged glances and quickly took off. When they entered the holodeck, neither recognized the place. It was large and grand, with many glass windows. They were on a balcony that overlooked men in handsome tuxedos and women in beautiful dresses. Each wore a red slash across their front. Scarlett was not visible. "How are we going to find her without raising her attention?" asked Wesley.

Deanna had an answer to that. "Computer, make Wesley and I look more...appropriate for this setting." In a split second, the order was carried out. Wesley looked down to find himself wearing a grey tuxedo decorated with the typical red slash and many shiny medals. The shoulders had golden tops. He turned to look at Deanna and was amazed. She, too, was wearing the red slash, but it decorated the front of a lacy white dress. Her hair was pulled back and in ringlets. White gloves matched the dainty slippers and parosal. "This is certainly different," she said as the two stepped down the stairs and into the crowd. No sooner had she spoken than they were surronded by dancers, talking pleasantly. Suddenly, Wesley heard Scarlett's voice. It was coming from their right.

"You are a good dancer--excuse me, I don't know your name," said a tall young man, holding tightly to the girl.

"Maria," replied Scarlett, "Maria, um, Sergeiyeveina. Ouch! Hey, don't step on the feet!" Seeing the two together brought a tear to Wesley's eye. Not a tear of sadness. It was so funny! But this was his Scarlett, not that hologram's. "Computer, exit program," he said. Scarlett stumbled back as her partner disappeared. She turned toward Wesley, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, not laughter, not sadness. "I knew you'd come for me, Wesley," she said quietly. Wesley stepped toward her. "Computer, play music."

"Specify," the voice said.

"Do I have to spell it out? Play some music, or I'll smash your rusty bolts to dust," put in Scarlett, but it was obvious she wasn't serious. She took Wesley's hand in her own, he wound his arm around her and they danced a slow waltz to the old Earth music, even though Wesley kept stepping on Scarlett's shoes. To be young and in love, Deanna thought. She turned and left the two alone.

Chapter Six

A Sleeping Gown, A Phaser and An Evil Man

A long while later, Scarlett practically raced through the halls in her Russian court dress, a long dress much like Deanna's, except with a longer train. People stared at her as she passed them by. Her quarters were three floors below and she had to risk taking a turbolift--she could never climb through the vast tunnels of the ship in this outfit. She was able to catch a turbolift, fortunately, but she entered to find Will, Data and another man she had never seen before wearing a metal visor over his eyes. Before she could escape, the doors closed behind her. All three men stared at her, Will with an eyebrow raised in his "Okay, that's really weird" fashion. "Why am I wearing this dress?" she said, answering a thought by Will. "That's a very good question. You see, it's kind of a long story. And I've got to work a little more on your warp core because I said it would be working before you could say 'Warp 9' but a few things went a little nutty including Jean--er, Captain Picard's disappearance--by the way, is he back? Yes? Hmm. This I've got to see." The turbolift arrived at her floor.
"Well, gentlemen, it was nice talking to you. Gotta go. Ta ta. So long. Bye." With that she turned and fled down the hall, nearly tripping on her train. I am so glad to be out of there, she thought. But Jean-Luc is back? No, it couldn't be him. It has to be the man we saw on the viewer. When she entered her quarters, she couldn't believe what she saw. The rooms were in disarray. The drape was ripped into shreds and laying on the floor. The soft silk pillow was torn open. Soft feathers were everywhere, like snow, which lightly dusted the floor of her quarters. Her clothes were spread out, a few damaged. She sighed as she picked up her old, comfortable, scarlet muslin gown she usually wore to bed. The shoulders were ripped off and the bottom gone. Her white dimity gown would have to do for tonight. As she slipped out of her court dress and into the clothes she had worn earlier, she just knew "Jean-Luc" had ramsacked her room, but why? There was nothing she had of value--except for the necklace given to her by the Queen of Pyoria just last year. What would he want with it? And how would he know she had it? She never told a soul, not even Deanna. By this time, she was completely dressed. She stepped out into the hall and found Wesley hovering around her door. "Okay, what do you want now?" she said teasingly. She began walking down the hall, Wesley following her. "I'm going try again to get into Starfleet Academy soon and if I have some kind of experience it will look better on my application," he said.

"So you want to help?"
"Exactly." Scarlett paused. "Okay, you can. But don't do anything you're unsure without asking me first. I mean, we don't want this ship blowing up or anything, right?"

"Right."

Hours later, the two came laughing out of engineering. At first Scarlett had been shocked to find that the man in charge of it all was the man with the metal visor from the turbolift, who introduced himself as Lieutenant Geordi La Forge. His rank meant nothing to the girl, who just wanted to go ahead and get to work so she could make tracks for the book Ella Enchanted, stuffed under a pillow in her quarters. The hours had passed by something like this:

"Laser scanner."

"Laser scanner."

"Digital wrench."

"Digital wrench, digital wrench. Aha! Digital wrench."

"Commander Troi, do you hear me?"
"Yes, Will--Commander Riker, sir?"
"We just lost our view of space--the viewer is playing an ancient Earth television show identified as "I Love Lucy."

"Sorry about that, sir. We'll get it fixed right away. Wesley! I need that laser scanner again."

"You have the laser scanner."

"No, I--oh, here it is. Got space again, Commander Riker?"

"No."

"Laser screwdriver, Wesley. How about now?"

"Now it's playing a show called, let's see here, um, "Gilligan's Island."

"Augh! Wesley, hand me that tool."

"Which tool?"

"That tool, right there. No, not that one. That one."

"Oh."

"How about now, Criker?"

"Excuse me? What did you say?"

"I said, 'How about now, Commander Riker?' Wesley, stop laughing!"

"You said what?"

"How About Now, Commander Riker?'."

"What?"

"HOW ABOUT NOW, COMMANDER RIKER!!"

"What?"

"Oh, forget it."

Back in the present, the two were still laughing about the viewer playing the two television shows and how Scarlett had called Commander Riker "Criker." As they rounded the corner, Scarlett saw the most awful thing she had ever seen.

It was girl. She was crying, and thus her long hay gold hair was wet. A phaser was aimed at her head. And that phaser was held by Jean-Luc Picard.

Chapter Seven

A Threat, a Klingon and a Bothersome Brother

"Take one move and I shoot," growled Jean-Luc, yanking the girl closer to him by her hair. The girl began to cry harder. "It's okay, Adrianna," said Wesley soothingly. Adrianna sniffed, her tears still flowing openely down her face. The two older kids looked at each other. They had no choice but to just stay where they were and watch Adrianna suffer. Scarlett, however, began the same difficult process her cousin had done to contact her....

Up on the bridge, Deanna was aware that something was wrong. She just didn't know what. Suddenly Scarlett's voice broke through her head. Deanna, you have to help us.

"Something's wrong," she said. Criker turned to look at her. "What do you mean?" he asked.

It's Adrianna Lewison, rang through Deanna's head. "It's Adrianna Lewison," she finally replied. Criker signaled to a Klingon named Worf. "Aye, sir," he said and strode out of the bridge.

Scarlett still didn't know if her telepathic connection had worked to tell her cousin what was happening. If it doesn't, she thought, someone's bound to come along sometime or another. But, suprisingly, no one did. Just as she was about to give up, Worf turned to corner. Klingon, thought Scarlett. Worf suddenly laid the man unconcious with a blow to the back of his head. The phaser slipped from his grasp, but he held tight to Adrianna's hair. Wesley slid forward to pull it out, and the man looked up with an evil gleam to his eye. He grasped the phaser once more, this time aiming it at Wesley. "No!" screamed Scarlett as the man put his thumb to the trigger. She suddenly kicked her foot forward, hitting the man hard in the stomach. He fell back, writhing in pain. This time, his fingers let go of Adrianna's hair. Scarlett scooped the girl up in her arms and began running down the hall to her quarters, Wesley and Worf both in hot pursuit. When they were safely inside, Scarlett said, "Computer, lock doors. Answer only to my voice command. No one else. Got it?" The computer complied, and they could hear furious banging on the outside of the door. Scarlett held the girl even tighter to her. "We might have to stay in here for a long time," she said into Adrianna's ear. "But we'll be okay."

"But what about my parents?" Scarlett stopped to think. "You'll see them pretty soon," Wesley put in. Scarlett shot him a thankful look. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?" she asked Adrianna. "Cookies," she replied, knowing very well her mother would not like her eating something like that.

A few hours later, Wesley and Scarlett were the only ones in the room, eating a small bowl of speghytte beif from Scarlett's home planet and looking over everything they could find on Jean-Luc. Suddenly Scarlett, laying on the couch, bolted upright, a datapadd in her hand. "Wesley, listen to this. Jean-Luc Picard had a twin brother, Claude` Mignon Picard, who disappeared in 2356. He was last seen in 2364 in a Klingon bird of prey, tracking down the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D. That's this ship!" she exclaimed, jumping up from the couch. "It has to be Claude`!" she continued excitedly. "Adrianna must have suprised him or something while he was trying to work out battle plans or whatever but I do know this." She began to pace. "He most certainly is trying to take over this vessel, and then," she concluded in a lowered voice, "he will destroy Earth."

On the now cloaked potato ship, a mysterious figure struggled at his bindings.

A few minutes later, Scarlett and Wesley stretched one of Scarlett's deep blue ball gown sashes across the hallway by Jean-Luc's quarters. Down the hall, Deanna opened one of the doors to the many tunnels of the ship. "Okay, let's go over this one more time," said Scarlett. "We have Claude` beamed out of his quarters and into the hall. He rushes back to his quarters, because there's obviously something important in there, trips on the sash, flies into the tube, and Deanna, you lock him in and he's trapped." Touching the commbadge thing, she rapped out her rank and said, "Transporter room 1, beam Jean-Luc Picard into the hallway outside his quarters." Nearly instantly, Claude` was there. He took off in a mad run for his quarters, and, as Scarlett had predicted, tripped on the sash and flew into the tunnel, where Deanna bagged him. "Yes!" exclaimed Scarlett, and she and Wesely hi-fived. Deanna just smiled and thought, Good work.

Later, Deanna walked into Scarlett's quarters just as Scarlett was walking out wearing a light blue dress with embroidered pictures of sunsets, red roses and little scotty dogs. Her eyes were sparkling like the little diamonds on her uniform."Where are you going?" Deanna asked.

"Wesley and I are having dinner at, oh, what is it called, Ten-Forward," she said, blushing. Before she could do anything else, Wesley appeared at her door. "Oh, hi, Counselor Troi," he said, before shifting his attention to Scarlett. "Hello...Scarlett." As he took her hand and they strode down the hall, Deanna could hear Scarlett murmur back, "Hello, my Wesley imzadi." Scarlett had refered to Wesley as her loved one. Deanna felt her feelings rush toward her: sadness, for a love lost, anger, for her cousin stealing her catch phrase, happiness, for Scarlett and more things she did not know.

Chapter Eight

A Dinner Date, An Game of Poker and A Sleeping Ship

When Scarlett first imagined the this Ten-Forward place, she thought of a dull room where people sat around and ate. Was she ever wrong. When she and Wesley walked in, she saw a game of poker in the corner, Criker among the players. Oh, bundle of joy, thought Scarlett, and small band playing jazz There were also people spread out across the room, some at the bar, others at the tables. A woman behind the counter of the bar called out, "Hey, Wesley, who's your friend?" As Wesley responded, Scarlett let her attention drift the poker game. She had played it on the Carlin, perhaps they wouldn't mind if she joined in. Wesley seemed pretty engaged in the conversation, so she walked over. "Mind if I join in?" she asked. An older woman with curly light brown hair smiled. "Of course," she replied, and dealt the cards. "I bet ten," she continued. The bet was passed around until it came to Scarlett. "Ten and I raise you a hundred," she said. Criker raised his eyebrows. "What makes you think you can make such a bold bet?" he asked. Scarlett smiled. "'In your honor, a royal flush,'" she quoted from an old Earth movie, "The Parent Trap,’’ showing her cards to the group. Wesley suddenly appeared. "Well, got to fly, nice playing with you, though. How about some other time?" With that, she turned and joined Wesley at a table by the window. He was looking at a holo-menu. "May I recommend the Titarian souffle`? It's delicious," he said. "And if you're feeling down, it really makes you feel better." He glanced up at her. "What's wrong?" Scarlett sighed. "My mother loved Titarian souffle`. Sometimes she and I would go and sit in the sunroom and gaze out at the lake while eating a big bowl of it. You're right, it does make you feel better." She began gazing up and down at the menu and finally decided on Yotegan Chicken. Wesley ordered the souffle`. He then sat staring into Scarlett's emerald eyes. What to say ? he wondered. Scarlett jumped in. "Where are your parents, Wesley?" she asked.

"My mother used to be the doctor here," he responded, "now she's over at Starfleet Medical. My father died many years ago. I miss him." Their food suddenly arrived. Wesley stabbed his souffle` and it deflated with a ffff. Scarlett felt his pain, and suddenly said, "So, what did you think of the uh, situation with Adrianna Lewison today?"

The time zipped by. When Scarlett found herself in bed, she was too excited to sleep. And, listening to Wesley's thoughts, she knew he was, too.

The morning of Scarlett's third day on the Enterprise dawned with amazing brightness. But in her first minutes of wakefulness (she had finally drifted off) she knew something was wrong. She tried to listen to Criker's thoughts, but she heard nothing. What's going on? she asked herself with alarm. She was only picking up the thoughts of Wesley and the woman from the poker game last night. Deanna! she thought in panic. She jumped from her bed and into the hall. Her feet tripped over the long white dimity, and, while trying to keep from falling, she ran into Wesley. "What's happening?" she cried out. Wesley took a minute to answer, looking at her in her long, no shoulders, drawstrings, sleeping dress and loose hair. Scarlett grew impatient. "Wesley!" she snapped. Wesley shook his head. "What was the question? Oh, yeah. What's going on. I don't know, really. From what I heard it's some kind of sleeping gas or something like that." Scarlett took off once more. "Come on!" she yelled over her shoulder. They were soon running side by side."Why weren't we affected?" Scarlett asked, not slowing her pace, knowing very well why she was not, but not daring enough to tell him. Wesley just shrugged. "Where are we going?"

"The transporter room. I have a feeling Claude` Picard has escaped-" she paused in her speech-"No, he has escaped, at least from the tube we capture him in. We're going toward Earth--probably Warp 9--and the only chance we have to save it is to overtake Claude` Picard." She strode boldly into the transporter room.

A few minutes later Scarlett and Wesley appeared on the bridge in the shimmering column of the transporter. Scarlett immediatly sensed Claude` Picard wasn't there. But her cousin was. "Deanna!" she exclaimed and hurried over to the slumped figure. She hurriedly checked for life signs. Okay. Phew. That was close. She looked up at Wesley. "Glass of Zimbarian water. I need a glass of Zimbarian water. There's a replicator over there. Hidden. Trust me." In a zip he was gone, and in a zip he was back. "Sorry about this, Deanna," she murmured and dumped the contents of the glass onto her face. Deanna awakened with a start."What happened?" she asked, getting to her feet. "We'll explain that later," said Scarlett. "Right now we've got a planet to save." She turned at the sound of two doors opening simaltaneously. From one stepped Claude` and from the other stepped Data. He pulled a phaser, and Scarlett, seeing his response, did the same. "Let's turn the tables," she said, "You take one move, and I shoot." Wesley shook his head. If only I had a phaser, he thought. Claude` turned, as if to run, and Scarlett shot right into his back. He crumpled to the ground. "I suggest you take him to a place that'll confine him," she said. Data slung the man over his shoulder and easily dragged him off the bridge. Scarlett went over to the captain's chair. "'Scuse me, Criker," she muttered and pushed him out of the chair. He fell the floor with a thud. She took his place, Deanna settled into her usual chair and Wesley took his place at the helm. "Hey, Wes, set a course for where we lost Captain Picard. Warp 9," said Scarlett, a feeling of excitement racing through her. Deanna smiled. She could sense that excitement.

"We're ready, Scar-er, Commander," said Wesley. Scarlett leaned forward. "Let's rock and roll." With that, the Enterprise shot away in a blur of light.

Chapter Nine

A Mouthful of Fuzz, A Wet Commander and a Cloaked Ship

A little later Commander Riker came to his senses and swallowed a big ball of fuzz. "Ugh!" he said and looked up. Wesley and Data were at the helm, Deanna was in her place and--Scarlett had the bridge. He stood up and realized he was soaking wet. "Okay, what's going on here?" he asked.

"You're not too happy, are you, Commander Riker?" asked Scarlett, stifling a laugh. Wesley turned around. "You're wet because Zimbarian water is the best cure for sleeping gas. At least that's what she said." He turned back. Criker turned his attention to the girl, eyes ablaze. "Explain yourself, Commander Troi." Scarlett rose, hands behind her back. "You see, it goes something like this," she began, and related the whole story of Claude` Picard and why she soaked him with Zimbarian water. "And that's all there is to say." Criker stared at her thoughtfully. Then he said, "What do you think, Deanna?"

"He's very angry, but it's undirected anger. Almost as if he's angry with the whole ship." Wesley suddenly turned his attention to Scarlett. We're at the place, he thought, knowing she could hear. She nodded. Then she said, so all could hear, "Wesley says we're at the place where the ship disappeared. It's got to be there. It is there. It's just cloaked."Criker looked suprised. But he regained his composure and said, "How are we going to de-cloak it?"

"There are ways around that," Scarlett said slyly. She moved to the first officer's unoccupied chair and pulled out the hidden computer panel. She began to work.

In about thirty seconds, she exclaimed, "Got it!" The potato ship was in full sight on the viewer. By now the others were awakening. "Why are we back here?" asked one of the young ensigns (older than Scarlett). Scarlett turned and rolled her eyes at the ensign. "Why do you think? To play ping pong? Don't think so." Criker was halfway to the turbolift. "Data, Worf, Commander Troi-"

"I prefer Scarlett," replied the girl.

"Whatever. Wesley, you have the bridge." Deanna leaped from her seat. "Let me come too!" she said, not wanting to leave Scarlett alone. Scarlett wasn't happy. "I don't need your help, Deanna!" she exclaimed angrily just before the doors closed.

The away team were on board the ship before you could say, "Beam us over". It was brightly lit, so bright Criker covered his eyes. Can't stand a little sun, Criker? smirked Scarlett. A fountain bubbled in the corner, a large picture of a lovely young girl, her smile scribbled over and darts sticking out of it. Alexis, Scarlett thought sadly.

"Okay, split up," said Criker. Data and Worf were gone before he finished speaking, and Scarlett found herself paired with Criker. They took off down a corridor. Scarlett stopped suddenly in front of an intricately carved door. "He's in here," she told Criker. "He wouldn't be in some place so obvious," he replied.

"That's the point," Scarlett shot back.

"Did I ask you?"
"No. I asked myself."

"That's not the way it works."

"It is now."

"Listen to me, Miss Troi. I am your commanding officer. You will do what I say."

"I don't take commands from anybody, Criker."

"That's what you called me! I hate it."

"Criker! Criker! Criker!"

"Stop circling me."

"I told you. I don't take commands from anybody."

"Will you listen to me for one minute?"

"Will is your name, not mine. My name is Scarlett-"

"I know what your name is!"

"Now, how did we get my name into something about doors?"
"I don't know. Anyway, that door is the right door."

"Fine. I'll go through this door, you go somewhere else."

Scarlett, who knew where Jean-Luc was by tapping into his thoughts, went through the door. The room was grandoise, with a large silk couch, a second fountain large enough to bathe in, a turbolift that led up to a loft, where an humongous overstuffed bed was, covered in a crimson velvet coverlet. Then Scarlett heard a sound. It came from one of the few dark corners of the room. Startled, she drew her phaser and advanced.

Chapter Eleven

Alexis, A Bunch of Books and a Warp Core Breach

Meanwhile, Criker had stumbled onto a small room, unlike the rest of the ship. It had a low, hard cot with a thin, scratchy wool blanket. It had padd-books laid on it, a small stuffed dog, a white silk dress and a....body. It was well preserved, blue eyes wide open, shoulder-length orange hair tied back with a green ribbon, wearing a blue satin dress with pink trim, obviously extended to cover her long, graceful legs. Yet another padd lay on top of her. This one said, in slim, curly writing, "To My Dear Jean-Luc".

While Criker was discovering the body, Scarlett was hunting for the origin of the mysterious noise. Suddenly she saw a figure coming toward her. "Don't move," she said, as she took a step toward it. "Captain Jean-Luc," she said. "Wait. How do I know you're not Claude`?"

"Commander Troi, I'm Jean-Luc." Scarlett lowed her phaser. "It's good to see you again. Well, you know what I mean."

"It's all that no good brother of mine," said Jean-Luc, frowning. Then, the ship shook violently. Scarlett was thrown off her feet and hit her head on the fountain. As the ship rocked again, Jean-Luc picked her up. (As she was still) Until now, he realized, he had never seen how beautiful she was. Although much like Counselor Troi, Scarlett's hair was a tinge darker. But he had no time to admire this, as he was nearly thrown down by a shudder of the ship. He hit Scarlett's commbadge thing with his chin. "Number One, report!" he barked.

"Good to hear your voice, Captain," said Criker. "This ship isn't going to last. According to Data, we have two minutes and 47 seconds to get out. The only place we can beam out is 17 meters from your location."

"See you there," proclaimed Jean-Luc and strode quicky out of the room. He expected this to be a simple escape...until he saw the body Criker held onto. Instantly memories came flooding back: the first time he had met her, the white satin handkerchief she had sewn. "Only the best for you," she'd exclaimed. He nearly dropped Scarlett to the floor. "Hey! Um, Jean-Luc, I don't think right now is the time for an emotional attack," she said, not opening her eyes. (A free ride is a free ride) She had felt his pain, his sadness. Criker hit his commbadge thing. "Riker to transporter room one. Six to beam up." And they were gone. Even Alexis.

Wesley had been excited for his first time having the bridge. But when he saw the ship explode, he bit his lip. Deanna, sensing his nervousnes (she was nervous, too!) contacted the transporter room. "Do you have them?"

"What do you think?" said an all-to-familiar voice. Wesley grinned.

Wesley's mother turned out to be the current doctor on the Enterprise. When she insisted everybody be checked out (she had found radiation on Claude`'s ship) Scarlett merely shook her head and said, "Sorry. I have places to go and people to see." With that, she ran into the hall, where she and Wesley embraced fondly.

Chapter Twelve

The Celebration, Confessions, and Departing

That night was a celebration of both Captain Picard's return and the fact that the ship could continue it's real mission. Scarlett attended, of course, wearing the Pyorrion necklace and a stunning black velveteen dress with black sequins. She gracefully drifted at Wesley's side, her eyes sparkling again. She was sorry that their warp drive was fixed--for this meant she would have to go back to the Carlin. "Nothing ever happens there," she told Jean-Luc and Geordi La Forge. She knew she would miss both of them, as well as the good android Data, Wesley's mother, little Adrianna Lewison (who attended the celebration). She would not, of course, miss "Criker". But her heart would ache for Wesley. She might have missed Deanna, too, but she and Deanna still weren't speaking. She pulled Wesley to a corner and said, "Wesley, I have something very important to tell you." Her heart was racing and her palms were sweaty. "I-I, uh-"

Deanna, I guess I was wrong, she tried to tell her cousin. I guess I need your help after all. How do I tell Wesley I love him?

Finally! Deanna thought, sighing. Just say it, Scarlett. You'll be fine. Scarlett took a deep breath. "Wesley, I have grown very close to your over the last few days. I will be so sorry to go because, well, Wesley, I...I love you." Wesley looked deeply into her eyes. "I do, too." Before she could say anything, one of Wesley's friends came up to him. "Where've you been, Wes?" Wesley looked at Scarlett apologetically, and began to answer him. Scarlett glanced at him. Life is good, she thought. So good. She sauntered over to Jean-Luc, who was alone. He was thinking about Alexis. "You can't hold onto her forever," Scarlett said softly. "You can keep her journal, but you can't keep the sadness. She'll always be in your memory, Jean-Luc." He looked at her. "I suppose you're right," he said. Then he completely changed the subject. "I have to apologize again for the "Trouble" thing. It was completely wrong on my part."

"Like I said, no big deal." She stood up on a chair. "Hey! Everybody! I'd like to propose a toast to everyone aboard this ship. You're very exciting people. And Adrianna, you're going to be a terrific person. I'll miss you all." Except you, Criker, she thought.

Early the next morning, Jean-Luc, Criker, Deanna and Wesley were in the transporter room to say good-bye. Scarlett had something for each of them. "Jean-Luc," she said, handing him a large bottle, "I heard you like ships in bottles. Here you go. Keep it safe. And er, Criker, here's a package of Zimbarian water. I wasn't going to give you anything, but hey. Deanna, I thought you might like to hold onto the necklace the Queen of Pyoria gave me. And Wesley, I just like to give you this box. It's not just any box. Don't open until I'm gone." She gave them all one last look. "Oh, I can't stand long good-byes." She jumped up on the transporter pad, bag in hand. "We will meet again." And she was gone. Wesley opened the box. "Wesley, you probably opened this box the moment I left," said a hologram Scarlett. "You dirty rat! Close it and save it for when you really miss me." And so he did...but that moment turned out to be two seconds later.

Chapter Thirteen

Fourteen Years Later

Jean-Luc and Wesley's mother were conversing at Deanna's wedding to Criker, when a voice broke through. "Mom! Captain!" yelled Wesley, running up to them. He was wearing a lieutenant's uniform. He was one talented kid, no one could deny that. He had left his career a little too early, but he had returned. No doubt he would be the best of the best. "I have the night duty shift in engineering," Wesley was saying, "We have a double-refracting warp core matrix with twin inter-mix chambers that-"

His attention drifted as a pretty young girl passed by...a very familiar pretty young girl wearing a white silk dress uniform top covered with sequins, and a short strand of white sapphires. She smiled at him, and he inched after her. "See ya later, Mom," he said. Where have I seen that girl before? Jean-Luc wondered. Meanwhile, Wesley said, "Hi. I'm Wesley. What's your name?" The girl stared at him with wide eyes. "Wesley? I didn't recognize you. You're even more handsome now than before." He was looking confused, so she continued, "Don't you remember? Claude` Picard? The Zimbarian water thing? I'm Scarlett! Scarlett-"

"Maria Troi," finished Wesley. He did remember. This was Scarlett now? She was taller, that was for sure, and she was definitely more beautiful. "Thank you," she said. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "So," he said, pulling her over to a table, "what did you do after the Enterprise incident?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except for actually attending Starfleet Academy. I passed with flying colors." She paused. "I'm not bragging, am I?"

"Not at all."

"Okay. Life wasn't the same after the Enterprise thing. Did you get my letters? No? Oh, that's too bad. Well, we're here now. Where are you doing now?"

"I'm going with Commander--Captain Riker to his new ship, the Titan." She gasped. "You are? So am I! I"m going to be his first officer.What a bundle of joy. But it was either this or living with my aunt. You've met her, right? Right? Oh. I feel for you." Wesley recognized the look she was giving him. It was the way she used to gaze into his eyes before she said something marvelous. "Scarlett!" called Deanna, waving her over to her table. "Hold you horses, Deanna!" Scarlett shouted. "See you later, Wesley." As she drifted to Deanna's table, Wesley sighed. Criker came over to him. "Wesley, was that the girl who called me Criker?"

"Mmm," Wesley said.

"Ugh!" Criker exclaimed.

"Darling!" sighed Wesley dreamily.

Scarlett was the first aboard the brand new U.S.S. Titan. It was similar to the Enterprise, except sleeker and darker, not in lighting, however, inside. When she first beamed on, a tall blue man, with aqua eyes and hair, a Zimbarian, babbled, "Cyksh kyl'mer keshqpult." Translation: Welcome.

"Cyksh kyl'mer keshqpult tenuosh. Argge wqqi hyshppm nba?" Translation: Welcome yourself. Can you speak English?

"Yes, of course. I hope you will find our hospitality quite good," said the Zimbarian as Scarlett stepped off the platform. "Look. All I want is a tour of the ship. Not the Zimbarian Greeting Squad. Okay?" The Zimbarian bowed nervously and began babbling to himself in his language. Scarlett rolled her eyes and followed him.

The first hall was long and black coated, with sleek grey floors and dark green doors. The Zimbarian stopped in front of one of the doors. "These are your quarters. I hope you find them satisfactory." The doors slid open, and Scarlett stepped in. The bed was in one corner, looking out the large windows. A long table stood over to the side, by the replicator, a few couches in the center, and the sonic shower was to the left. Scarlett threw herself on the bed. Nexsaan down. Very comfortable. She felt something hard, long and smooth under her. What's this? she thought, pulling it out. It was a padd for writing and such. Acsessing it, she hit, "Dear Wesley, Guess what. The beds here are Nexsaan down and the ship is an awesome sight. How long will you be visiting your family? Criker and Deanna won't be here for at least a week, although it's supposed to be earlier. Something is going to happen. I know it. Well, I have to go. Your Scarlett." She found her eyelids drooping. She hadn't had any sleep for 48 hours. With that, she was asleep.

Hours later, she woke with a small scream. She had just had a dream of something awful! The Enterprise was practically being pulled to bits by a Romulan warbird! Relax, she told herself, it's only a dream. She rolled off the bed and checked the small clock. Fourteen hundred hours! She was supposed to be on the bridge for something or another she couldn't remember in thirty minutes. She leaped to her feet and ran to the bag she had brought, the same bag she had had when she was sixteen. How long ago that seemed! I haven't changed, she reminded herself. I still won't take orders from Criker. I still love Wesley. I'm still the same. Finding a deep magenta dress that trailed behind her on the ground, and had slits on the side that went up to her mid calves, she pulled that on, ditching her uniform on the bed. The commbadge thing was completely awful with this dress, so she let it stay on the uniform. Then the doorbell sounded. This doorbell wasn't any less annoying then the Enterprise ones. "Come in!" she called, and twirled around, the dress flying out beside her. As the doors slid open, Wesley was there. "Oh, Wesley!" Scarlett cried. She flung her arms around his neck. "I thought you wouldn't be here for days!" Wesley shook his head. "I left their planet this morning and came here Warp 9. I just wanted to see the place." And you, Scarlett heard him think. She let her arms fall. "I have to be on the bridge in just a few minutes." She rushed out. "Are you coming, or not?"

Chapter Fourteen

The Bridge, The Triplets and a Helm

The halls were suprisingly easy to navigate in this ship. Scarlett ran onto the bridge and stopped to a screeching halt. There were three young women at the helm, the three typical chairs of command, and Scarlett realized, with suprise, that one of them was hers. While no one paid any attention to her, she whistled and shouted, "Hey! Everybody listen!" The girl on the end of the three at the helm turned. "We don't have any time for jokes, lady," she said.

"But I'm the first officer!"

"Yeah, right. If you were the first officer, you wouldn't be wearing that dress."

"Well, maybe I'm not from Earth. As I matter of fact, I'm not. I'm from the Nep-yar Forest on Betazed. Care to introduce me to the crew?"

"Why should I? It's none of your business."

The seemingly identical girl to the one who was speaking said, "Oh, give it a rest, Madison." She stood up and walked over to Scarlett. "Hi. My name is Tatiana Carmicheal . That was my sister Madison and the other one is Abbie Jaspreet. That one is Steryko. He's a Vulcan. That boy with the spiky hair is Judd." Judd was a very weird man with black hair sticking out of his ears and a bunch of matching messy hair on his large head. "Their names are Crazy, Creepy and Contispated," he said. Scarlett shook her head. "I'm Scarlettamaria Troi, but call me Scarlett. Not Commander Scarlett, or Commander Troi, for that matter, because there would be one too many C. Trois around here, or else I'll teach you a lesson right there, right now. I mean it. And this, this is Wesley." Tatiana could tell by the way Scarlett looked at Wesley that she loved him. And so did she.

Scarlett found Wesley tailing after her on her way back to her quarters. "What do you want?" she asked.. Wesley shook his head. "I remember when you were on the Enterprise and we fixed the warp drive."

"I fixed the warp drive. You handed me tools."

"Whatever," Wesley replied. "I just wanted to ask you to come to the holodeck with me tonight."

"They have a holodeck?" Scarlett asked. "Good! I'll be there." She turned to enter her quarters. "See you." The special gaze fell upon them, and she, as the dictionary would put it, "touched him gently with her lips". She turned suddenly and ran into her quarters. Wesley was in a dreamy trance as he headed for his own quarters, so that explained why he bumped straight into the triplets. "Hello," crooned Abbie Jaspreet.

"How ya doing?" said Madison, trying to gaze into his unfocused eyes.

"Do you want to come to the On the Ship restuarant with me?" asked Tatiana.

Now Wesley didn't notice any of this as he tried to walk on, not knowing they were there. They blocked his way. Madison suddenly seized him roughly by the uniform shirt and pulled him into a kiss. Wesley's eyes were angry as he struggled to escape. Scarlett just happened to stick her head out of her quarters to ask him something a split second after Madison grabbed him. Her eyes grew wide and hurt. That hurt changed to anger and she stormed down the hall. Wesley suddenly pushed away from Madison. "Scarlett! Come back!" he cried and ran after her. "Just look what you've caused," he called over his shoulder to Madison. "Scarlett!"

Madison turned to Tatiana. "Great idea, Tatiana," she said sarcastically. "Using Abbie Jaspreet and I to get Wesley for you. Can't you tell that he's in love with. with--oh what's-her-name? You just want him because he looks nice. You are so greedy! Come on, Abbie." The two girls linked arms and strode down the hall. Tatiana just seized her commbadge thing and threw it angrily to the floor.

Meanwhile, Wesley had finally caught up with Scarlett. "Scarlett, won't you listen?" Scarlett just turned away bad-temperdly and said, "Computer, can you transport from this location?"

"Affirmative."

"Beam me to Room 456, Deck 8." And she was gone. Wesley turned and ran as fast as he could to Scarlett's quarters. "Computer, open this door."

"This door has been sealed by Commander Scarlett Troi."

"Scarlett, open up. Please." When several minutes of begging and pleading ended, Wesley shocked himself by running to the nearest replicator. It may not seem all that amazing, but read on.

Scarlett finally heard Wesley leave. She opened the door and stared out at engineering, across the hall, angrily. Why did Wesley have to go and pretend he loved her when he really loved Madison What's-Her-Name? If he didn't want to be with her anymore, why didn't he just say it? Maybe she could learn by listening to his thoughts. No. She couldn't let that interfere with their relationship.

Wesley appeared in front of her. One hand was behind his back. "Scarlett, I can explain for that." She turned away. "Go away, Wesley." Wesley wasn't about to give up. "Listen to me." Then the story poured out. Scarlett looked at him. "It was an accident?" she said slowly, trying to understand. Wesley nodded. He pulled his arm out from behind his back. A large bouquet of flowers was in it. "Here," he said and handed it to her. She smelled them. "They're beautiful. Wait--you're up to something. I know it." She then noticed the scarlet diamond sparkling in the carnation. "What?" she said to herself and gently wiggled it out. It was a ring with a pure gold band. "Wesley," she breathed, looking up at him. He took a deep breath. "Scarlett, I know you love me and I love you. Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" exclaimed Scarlett. "Of course. But we have to wait until Deanna and Criker get here. Oh, and the guest list! Deanna and the crew, of course, Jean-Luc Picard, my friends Carson and Kristen from the Carlin, Adrianna Lewison, everyone from the Enterprise! I suppose we'll have to invite my aunt Lwaxana, and Evan VanderHoff from Earth and oh! I have so much to do!" She kissed Wesley gently on the cheek and ran screaming with excitement into her quarters. She just ducked back in time to grab the bouquet. Wesley walke away in a state of pure happiness, nothing else.

A week later, Scarlett was there when Deanna and Criker beamed aboard. The Zimbarian Greeting Squad began his typical greeting, and Criker's eyes zoomed in on Scarlett. "Yes, you might ask what I am doing here," she said. "Guess what. I'm your first officer. No, I'm not glad either. But it was either you or my aunt, so I picked you." She draped one arm over his shoulder, the other over Deanna's. "What do you two think of Wesley Crusher?"

"He's a very nice boy," said Deanna, "very sure of himself and compassionate. I'd spend a long time naming his good qualities."