More Than a Lifetime #5: Return to Normal

Chapter 2

Dani walked into Ten-Forward at 1815 hours. The room seemed to be packed with dignitaries, ambassadors, and various Starfleet personnel. Dani looked around. There were a few familiar faces. The senior crew members from Deep Space Nine were in attendance, as well as the senior officers of the Enterprise. She spotted Will almost immediately, but she wasn't sure if she should approach him. He was with some captains and a few admirals. Dani looked at the Deep Space Nine crew. They were talking animatedly amongst themselves. Dani didn't know who to go to. She was, after all, only a Lt., and junior grade at that. And this dress uniform made her feel...different. She pulled uncomfortably at her collar.

A Bolian waiter approached Dani with a tray of champagne and offered her a glass. She politely declined. How would it look if she were seen knocking back a glass of booze? Even if it was only synthehol, these people probably already had a low opinion of her. There was no use in making it worse.

Will, standing with Captain Picard, Colonel Kira, and some admirals, scanned the room for Dani. His eyes landed on the entrance just as Dani walked through the doors.

"You two have got to meet this girl," Admiral Paris was saying to Admiral Jellico and Admiral Nechayev. "She's phenomenal."

"And there she is," Will said. He turned to the others standing around him. "If you all will excuse me, I'll go get her. Admirals, Captain." He left them and started to walk in Dani's direction.

When Dani looked away from the waiter, she saw that Will was coming her way.

"Dani," he said with a smile.

"Will," she said. Her own smile was absent. "I hope I'm not too late. I just didn't want to be the first one here."

"No, no. You're right on time. Admiral Nechayev and Admiral Jellico are dying to meet you."

"Me?" Dani asked, genuinely surprised.

"Admiral Paris has been telling them all about you," Will explained. "So has Colonel Kira."

Another waiter approached them. Dani turned him down.

"Calm down," Will said. It was quite apparent to him that she was a little on the nervous side. "You've got to loosen up a bit. Relax." He picked up one of the glasses of synthetic champagne and handed it to Dani as they started to walk. She refused again.

"I can't," she said. "I don't feel like a drink right now."

Will nodded and took a sip from the glass. "Are you nervous?"

"No," Dani lied. "I've been doing this kind of stuff since I was a kid." It was true. Her parents had been dragging her to these kind of functions since she was old enough to walk and talk. And she'd hated every moment of every one of them.

"Yes, but you've never done this before as an officer," Will pointed out.

That's what the problem was now. Now, Dani would be under the direct scrutiny of everyone here. Now, these functions actually counted for something. "Are you trying to make me nervous?" Dani asked.

"No," Will said innocently. "Just trying to remind you of the situation."

"Thanks, but no reminder needed."

By the time Will and Dani reached the admirals' group, Will had drained his glass and was handing it off to a waiter. He cleared his throat and began.

"Admirals, this is Lt. Junior Grade Danielle Janeway," Will introduced. "Lt., may I present Admiral Edward Jellico and Admiral Alynna Nechayev."

Dani nodded formally to the admirals. "It's an honor, sirs," she said.