Star Trek: Metamorphosis
Westfall/Star Trek TNG Crossover Fanfiction #2
Scene 2
Captain’s Log, Stardate 45809.4:
The Enterprise is presently in orbit around Earth as many of our officers have taken some well-deserved shore leave. While some have gone on to visit friends or family, our Chief Medical Officer has attended Starfleet’s prestigious medical conference. She has returned with a visitor, Doctor Giorgio Hayward, a renowned scientist and geneticist known for his in-depth studies of the different races that make up federation space. I’m sure they will have much to discuss as we await the return of the rest of the crew.
Three pads of the transporter array lit up and filled with columns of light. As they faded, the three forms of a human, an Aravasti, and a half-Betazoid came into view. All three were in casual attire, though their communicator badges were still pinned on their left lapels.
“Gosh,” Hudson Rowlett’s eyes and mouth were wide, “I’m not sure that’ll ever get old!”
Gemini Inova smiled and took his arm, and he led her down from the platform.
Deanna Troi met Chief O’Brien’s eyes as she stepped up to his control panel. “Thank you, Chief. It’s good to have you back on board.”
“Likewise,” the curly-haired chief bowed. “Always a pleasure seeing you three.”
Gemini casually passed Miles’ transporter panel with her hands clasped around Hudson’s upper arm. “I hope you had a good visit with Keiko’s family!” She said.
“Oh, we did, thanks,” Miles grinned and bobbed his head. His smile, however, soon faded as his eyes narrowed in on Gemini’s hand. “Now, hold on, Ms. Gemini,” he stepped out from the panel with his hand raised to stop the couple from exiting with Deanna. “I think you may have to explain what happened on your visit!”
A small silver ring with a blue gemstone embedded in the center was prominently placed on Gemini’s left-hand ring finger. Her face flushed pink as her smile widened considerably. “Well... you see...”
“I asked her to marry me–and she said yes!!” Hudson blurted before Gemini could finish. His grin stretched from ear to ear, tugging at his bushy sideburns and squishing his eyes half-closed. He took Gemini’s hand into his weathered fingers, his smile breaking open in a jovial laugh. “I can’t believe it!”
“I can,” Chief O’Brien chuckled with an almost sarcastic grin. “In fact, I’m more shocked it hasn’t happened sooner.”
“It was a long time coming, but I think Hudson was waiting for just the right moment,” Deanna returned by scooting behind the couple and placing her hands on their shoulders. “Surrounded by their Westfallian companions back on Earth during a grand party to celebrate the harvest; what better place could there be?”
The transporter chief again bobbed his head. “Congratulations, you two,” he offered proudly.
“Thank you, sir,” Hudson beamed at his fiance’s side.
As the three turned to the door, Miles paused before returning to his panel. “Oh, and I’ll be expecting an invitation to the wedding–no matter where it ends up happening.”
“It’ll be here,” both Gemini and Hudson called over their shoulders. They then laughed when their words were uttered in unison.
Deanna chuckled and did her best to coax the amorous pair out into the hall.
Gemini was still rosy-cheeked and smiling as the transporter room door hissed shut behind them. “Thanks again for coming with us, Deanna. I know the Westfall folks enjoyed seeing you.”
“I enjoyed seeing them, too. I could feel so much more comfort and ease among them this time. They are well-settled into their new homes.” The half-Betazoid nodded.
“But, I did want to ask,” her eyes narrowed and slid over to Deanna, “when you said you wanted to come with us, did you know about Hudson’s plan to propose to me?”
Deanna smiled but kept her black eyes forward as they stepped into the turbo lift and turned around to face the closing door. “Deck nine,” she announced to initiate the lift, then at last turned to glance at the couple beside her. “My intentions were to go and check in on everyone after their move; I didn’t know about the proposal at that time. But, when I started to sense Hudson’s unbridled excitement–and nervousness–during the dance, I had an inkling of what to expect.”
Gemini idly glanced at her left hand and flexed her fingers. “I wasn’t quite expecting it, but at the same time... maybe I was,” her eyes dipped up to meet Hudson’s.
“We had been talkin’ about it some leadin’ up to the trip,” the man filled in as he brushed a strand of white hair from Gemini’s face. “Aravasti culture was kinda different, so I wanted to make sure what I did would be okay with her.”
“Didn’t the Aravasti have arranged marriage?” Deanna asked.
“Yes,” Gemini said dully, “it was all based on your power and who your parents thought would be a suitable match.” She shook her head and recaptured Hudson’s arm around her fingers. “So, when Hudson explained the courting process in Westfall, I thought it was perfect. Although, it’s admittedly strange that after all the dates and decisions, I could have still said no.”
“I’m mighty glad you didn’t,” he ribbed her.
The turbolift doors opened to reveal Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Commander William Riker. The latter immediately broke into the widest smile Gemini had ever seen.
“Welcome back,” Will said knowingly.
Gemini once again flushed pink and Hudson chewed on his lip.
Jean-Luc cleared his throat. “Well, then, let’s see it,” he said sternly.
Gemini blinked. “See... what?”
“Your hand, madame,” Will clarified.
The lieutenant obeyed, holding up her left hand to display its newest adornment.
The captain broke into a smile. “Congratulations,” he nodded. “I’m very proud for you both.”
“Wait,” Gemini’s hand retreated as she tucked her elbows at her sides. “How did you both know?”
“Before you departed for shore leave, Mr. Rowlett asked me for your hand.”
“You did??” Gemini blurted.
“Oh my!” Deanna stood back in surprise. “You really were prepared!”
“Well, since Ms. Gemini doe’n’t have family for me to ask... and y’all are kinda like her family... and the captain is kinda like the head of the family...”
“I wasn’t about to say no,” Jean-Luc smirked as Hudson’s words trailed off.
“And, I was present when he asked,” Will added.
Gemini grinned and let her head drop. “Well, thank you.”
“And–and thank you!” Hudson turned to the captain. “I can’t thank y’all enough–if it weren’t for you and your ship, this would’a never been possible–uh–sir!” He straightened up upon the last word.
Jean-Luc waved him down with a warm smile. He then stepped aside to allow the couple and Deanna off of the turbo lift before he stepped into it himself. “You both can take the rest of the afternoon off; don’t worry about catching up on your shifts.”
Will’s brows raised on his forehead as he followed after the captain, still grinning as the door hissed closed.
The women’s attention soon fell upon Hudson. “You asked Captain Picard,” Gemini spoke more as a statement than a question.
“Well, I had to ask somebody,” Hudson shrugged. “It wouldn’t’ve been right.”
“I would have expected Data, perhaps.”
“Data doesn’t seem like a father-figure for you,” Deanna crossed her arms at her chest. “He’s a friend, and a close one, but not exactly the authority Hudson would have been looking for.”
“Oh, and that reminds me,” Gemini’s eyes slid aside. “I need to figure out who will walk me down the aisle.”
“Would that be Captain Picard, too?” Her fiance tried.
“If you’re holding it here on the Enterprise, he would be the one to perform the ceremony. I’m not sure he could do both.” Deanna tilted her head. “Data did walk Keiko down the aisle when she married Miles; to her, Data was very much a mentor.”
“A mentor,” Gemini hummed, her eyes falling away in thought.
“You’ve got time to think it through,” Deanna gave a nod as she set her hand on Gemini’s arm. “I know whoever you choose will be perfect, and it will be a joyous wedding of two of my very good friends.”
“Yes,” Gemini scooted close enough to lean against Hudson’s tall frame. He completed the act by wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”
“You, as well!” Hudson waved as Deanna continued on to her room. He then glanced down at Gemini at his side, grinning. “What should we do now?”
Gemini smirked. “I’m not sure; we don’t have to go to work, but all the friends I want to tell are all working,” she again looked to her ring-adorned hand.
“Hey; we should meet ’em all at Ten Forward tonight!” He suggested.
“Doctor Crusher to Lieutenant Inova!”
The two nearly jumped when Beverly’s voice came through the communicator badge. It chirped as Gemini tapped it. “Inova here.”
“Are you back on the Enterprise?”
“We are,” she glanced at Hudson.
“Perfect! I’ve got someone here I’d like you to meet in my office. And Hudson is welcome, too.”
With a glance at each other Gemini smiled. “We’ll be right there!”
Scene Notes
- Ironic that Gemini and Hudson are getting married in a fan story before I've written them getting married in their real story...