Resistance Is Futile -Pt 15

The wedding was held in 10-Forward.

The bride wore a sleek white gown, loosely formfitting and low in the neckline. In her long hair amongst the curls, Deanna wore a wreath of pearls, moondrops, and white lilies. Her smile shown brightly.

The groom wore his dress uniform, and of course his traditional Klingon sash.

The bride’s mother, as was her style, wore a voluminous gown that was a pallet of brilliant rainbow hues.

Worf’s foster parents, the Rozhenko’s, had been unable to attend, due to the Enterprise’s distance from Earth. However, the matriarch of his Klingon family, Sirella had indeed made it in time for the ceremony. Dressed in staunch Klingon garb, her sour expression matched Lwaxana’s.

Admiral Hamilton had been asked to officially marry the couple, not only as the highest ranking officer on board, but also to allow Captain Picard to serve as Worf’s Best Man. She was dressed in a conservative lavender outfit; an ankle length pant-skirt, with sheer sleeves that had almost as much fabric as the pant-skirt. She wore her hair up, decorated with pearl and diamond pins to keep it in place.

The captain, of course, was in his dress uniform. His gaze was often focused on the admiral.

The matron of honor, Dr. Crusher, had chosen to wear a daring dress: a close fitting sleeveless dress that was brightly hued with as many colors as Lwaxana’s. Her gaze was on the captain, so she was well aware of the looks he was giving the admiral {who was looking everywhere and nowhere}.

Although the ceremony was short and to the point, there was a sizable crown gathered to witness it, with more showing up afterwards to attend the extravagant reception.

As soon as the formalities were over and the dancing had begun, Virginia made a beeline for the drinks counter.

She looked over the large variety of drinks. Someone, no doubt Sirella, had brought Klingon bloodwine. No matter how badly Virginia wanted to get drunk, she wasn’t about ready to drink a Klingon beverage; something about them made her sicker than regular alcohol did. Just as she had made her choice, and had picked up the glass of Romulan ale, she was joined by Guinan on one side, and Picard’s second officer Lt. Commander Data on the other.

There was a moment of awkward silence, each waiting for the other to speak first.

Guinan, having seen Data’s nod of deference, spoke first. “Virginia, don’t.”

“Why not?” She demanded, her tone with underlying anger in it. “I won’t need my powers until the mission, which is days away. And I’m tired of hearing all these voices!” Still, the glass in her hand trembled.

“You’re hurt and you’re angry, two very good reasons not to.”

“Guinan…I can’t interfere with a current relationship. You know that.” The anger in her voice was now mingled with despair. “The Orion Council would have my hide.”

“There is no current relationship. As I told you earlier, they’re friends. I know I don’t have the same gifts as you, but I have one you don’t.”

“What’s that?” Virginia asked, irritated but curious.

“I listen.”

Virginia made a disgusted sound. She ended the conversation by looking at Data. “Yes, Commander?”

“I was wondering if you would like to dance, Admiral,” the android asked, intrigued by the women’s conversation.

Out of the corner of her eye, Virginia saw Picard leaving Beverly as they had danced the formal bridal party dance and heading in her direction. “Yes Commander, I’d love to.” She downed the tall glass of Romulan ale in one shot, much to the amazement of Data and the dismay of Guinan. She set the empty glass back down on the table and left with the android just as Picard arrived.

Picard’s face was one of frustration, and a little anger. The admiral had ignored his hails for the rest of the afternoon, and had not answered her door either. “Guinan,” he said in greeting.

“Captain.” Guinan’s eyes were watching her friend as she twirled around the dance floor in Data’s arms. She was well aware that the captain was also riveted to the same scene. “Jean-Luc…Virginia’s been my friend for a long time. I was there for her when Marcus died, and later when Jayden left her. I don’t like to see her hurting.”

“I have no intention of hurting her,” Picard assured the 10-Forward hostess.

“But she is. She’s somehow gotten it into her head that you already have a relationship with someone else – and the Rules that choke the life out of her expressly forbid her from interfering with a current relationship.”

Picard picked up the glass that Virginia had discarded and looked at it for a long moment. “Beverly just told me she’s interested in a deeper relationship with me.”

Guinan listened.

“There was a time, I would have already left with her to begin exploring that desire. But that time has long since passed, and I told her so.”

“Don’t you think you should tell Virginia that?”

The captain smiled ironically and set the glass back on the counter. “That was my intention, and as you can see, she ran away. Just as she’s ignored me all afternoon.”

Now Guinan smiled. “She’s hurting and confused. However, she’s also just downed a glass of Romulan ale. Not only will you be able to sneak up on her by now, but she should also be falling down drunk in less than half an hour.”

“Are you serious?”

“Very. I tried warning her. Romulan ale always takes her out quickly.”

“My God,” Picard said softly.

“If you want to talk to her, I’d suggest you hurry.”