The tables of Ten Forward had been pushed to either side of the room, creating a clearing in the center. The chairs had been reassigned into neat rows on either side of the clearing. A simple metal archway entwined with greenery and small white flowers had been placed at the end of the aisle against the windows that looked out into the starfield of space.

Captain Picard stood in front of the archway in his dress uniform; a long, tunic-like variant of his captain’s garb. He quietly smiled as he looked out at the crew members who filled most of the seats before him. All of the commanding officers were present, taking up much of the front row. Many of them had donned their dress uniforms, including Geordi, who stood beside Hudson to act as his best man.

The other side of the aisle, on the other hand, was filled with a different group–the visitors from Westfall. Despite their fewer number, they beamed with just as much elation as those in Starfleet beside them. Their former mechanic stood in a coat and tie in front of them, prepared for a day they had all hoped for.

Hudson’s hands were clasped at his middle, though they often drifted up to tug at the sunflower pinned to his lapel or at his royal blue tie for some last minute straightening. He glanced to Geordi, only for the Chief Engineer to grin back at him. His brown eyes then darted to the door, waiting with bated excitement for his bride to appear.

The doors into Ten Forward opened, and Jean-Luc, smiling, gestured for those present to rise.

Hudson’s heart leapt into his throat. That time was now.

A tall Klingon in a gray dress shirt with a metal sash looped over his right shoulder appeared in the doorway. On his arm was a much shorter young woman in a simple white dress and a circlet of sunflowers in her hair.

Gemini was led into the room, wide-eyed and brimming with excitement. Her attire was both Aravasti, in the form of a blue sash over her shoulder and tied at her waist, and a nod to her husband’s heritage, in the form of a circlet of sunflowers in her up-done hair. Her eyes locked onto Hudson, and the latter found it hard to keep his knees under him when a jubilant smile broke across her lips.

Worf’s seemingly emotionless expression could not hide the pride of being able to walk his friend and colleague down the aisle. He did, however, take his duty very seriously, keeping a steady pace and forward gaze despite the distractions on either side of the aisle.

When the two approached the end of the aisle, Worf gave a deliberate bow before presenting Gemini to Hudson and the Captain. Jean-Luc bowed in return, and with one last smile from Gemini, Worf turned and took his place across from Geordi.

Jean-Luc then gestured to the couple, and Hudson and Gemini stepped together and took each others’ hands. The rest of the room took their seats.

“Since the days of the first wooden sailing ships, all captains have enjoyed the happy privilege of joining together two people in the bonds of matrimony,” Captain Picard announced to the group. “And so it is my honor to unite you, Gemini Hope Inova, and you, Hudson James Rowlett, together in matrimony.”

The couple tried their best to stifle their smiles–to no avail.

“Do you, Hudson, take Gemini to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Jean-Luc continued.

“Yes, sir–I do!” Hudson fumbled nervously, but a wide grin from Gemini quickly quelled his nerves.

“And, do you, Gemini, take Hudson to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” she squeezed Hudson’s hands.

Jean-Luc held open his hands. “With this, it is my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. Rowlett! Hudson,” he glanced at him with a knowing grin, “you may kiss your bride.”

A variety of calls, cheers, and applause rang out across Ten Forward as Hudson and Gemini leaned together to share their first kiss as a wedded couple. Even Geordi broke into a lively ovation.

The Captain glanced at Worf, still stiffly standing beside him. He was about to urge him into the celebration when he noticed a wide smile had crept across the Klingon warrior’s lips as his eyes watched his college happily dancing down the aisle with her husband. 

Jean-Luc, instead, turned back to the couple and gestured for everyone to rise and continue the celebration.

Scene Notes

• I was very happy with how the "sub plots" in this story all ended up tying together (the mark of a good Star Trek TNG episode in my opinion, and one I stive for!). Gem and Hudson's upcoming wedding prompted the thought of who would walk her down the aisle, and the subsequent mission showed that despite her close friendship to many of the crew, Gemini's best mentor was Worf all along.
• In my mind, there will be one more episode in my "Star Trek: Westward" mini series, so be sure to keep your long-range sensors operational! THANKS FOR READING!!
  

“You may rise!” The voice was muffled by the water of the tub.

The woman did as she was told and sat up as water ran down her skin, hair, and clothing. She wiped her eyes clear–and quickly ran her fingers above her brows to her forehead. She blew out a heavy sigh.

Beverly laughed. “Smooth again?”

“Yes,” Gemini laughed as Hudson handed her her glasses. There, in the mirror across the room, was a white and brown-haired Aravasti woman in a tank top and shorts. “While it was fun, it’s good to see my old self in the mirror.”

“I’m mighty glad to see it.” Hudson was far more relieved than the others as he took Gemini’s pale fingers and helped her step from the tub. “Not that there was anythin’ wrong,” he added nervously as he took a towel and wrapped it around her, ”I’m just… I’m glad to see you.”

She could tell there was something more to Hudson’s words, but she found herself unable to do more than smile and hug him. “I’m glad to see you too,” she spoke into his uniform shirt as his wide hands wrapped around her towel-covered back.

Worf stood nearby, his stolid expression bordering on mild disappointment as he watched Gemini the Aravasti interact with Hudson and Beverly.

Deanna glanced at him with her eyebrow cocked and an amused grin on her face. “Qul’tuq is still there, you know,” she said.

He instantly stood up straight and looked at Deanna. “That is not–” he huffed and diverted his eyes. “It was simply nice to be around other Klingons,” he concluded softly–and without his initial accusatory tone.

The half-Betazoid simply grinned wider. “Of course.”

All the while, Doctor Hayward had a pleasant smile on his face, still standing at the head of the tub near his transformation machine. He sighed somewhat dreamily before shutting down the machine and in preparation for packing it up. His actions slowed when Gemini stepped up to him. ”Yes, ma’am?” He asked, glancing over his round-framed glasses as his head bowed.

“I just wanted to thank you for your part in our mission,” she smiled, glancing at Worf at the other end of the room. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Oh,” he shrugged somewhat sheepishly. “Of course, Miss Gemini. I am thankful I was able to help. And, thank you, for allowing me to meet an Aravasti in person.”

She nodded as they shook hands one last time. “Remind me, before you leave, to bring you to the holodeck. I can turn off the fire suppression system there,” she held up her hand, displaying her veins glowing with white light.

Giorgio was already bursting with excitement. “Oh–yes–I will!” 

With that, Gemini returned to her fiance and friends.

The visiting doctor again tried to return to his machine when Worf approached him. His head tipped back to meet the tall Klingon’s eyes.  “Mister Worf: I assume no one figured out her secret?”

”No, sir. To both myself and the others, she was indistinguishable from a true Klingon.” He bowed his head as he spoke, his hands clamped tightly at his back. While he was still bowed, he leaned more deliberately toward the visiting doctor. ”Is there a way to… allow her to appear Klingon from time to time?” His voice was nearly hidden beneath his breath.

Giorgio’s face had rediscovered its smile. “Ah,” he laughed, “no, sir; not without this machine, and it will be going with me when I am returned to Earth tomorrow.” He patted the device as his bespectacled eyes looked upon it. “I need to make a quick trip to Andor,” he spoke through clenched teeth. “There are a few Andorian I need to… ‘reset’... and then I will retire this machine.”

“Retire?” Beverly returned just in time to hear his words. “But, Giorgio–”

“No, no,” he shook his head. “While it was incredible to see it in use, we also saw a glimpse of some of its dangers. I fear, if this machine were to ever fall into the wrong hands, we could see much more dangerous uses.” He turned to his attache case, closed it, and flipped each lock securely. “I believe it best to leave the shapeshifting to the Roshak at this time.”

“Understood.” Doctor Crusher relented with a smile. 

Worf, however, had twisted his expression. “‘Dangers’, doctor?” He repeated Doctor Hayward’s words.

Both doctors glanced at one another. Giorgio was the first to duck out and relocate with his case, leaving Beverly with an increasingly scrutinizing Worf.

Hudson rested his hand on Gemini’s back. “Shall I walk you back to your room? You can get dried off the rest of the way an’ back into your own clothes.”

“Sounds good to me,” she slipped her hands around his arm and the two stepped out into the hall.

A pair of Klingon were passing by, and both couples gave a respectful nod to each other.

Gemini slowed, recognizing the pair.

Yamtek and Mara also slowed their pace, looking over their shoulders as they passed. Yamtek narrowed his eyes onto the green-eyed Aravasti at Hudson’s side.

“Can we help y’all find somethin’?” Hudson asked politely.

“No,” Yamtek straightened his posture but had not yet relinquished his gaze. “Forgive me; your mate seems… familiar.”

The woman cleared her throat and glanced aside. “Perhaps we’ve crossed paths earlier on the ship?”

At last, the leading pair of Klingon turned their attention elsewhere. “Perhaps.” Yamtek nodded.

With that, the two couples continued on their way.

Scene Notes

• And everyone is happily back to normal. Although I think Worf could have gotten used having another Klingon around :D

Worf and Qul’tuq stood at the extinguished fire pit that once held a roaring fire the night before. In the gray, clouded light of morning, the town around them appeared as dull and lifeless as the ashes of the pit.

“We are running out of time,” Worf muttered under his breath as he surveyed the empty square. “There are mere hours before the Kzinti raze this planet. It will take time to transport all of them and their belongings.” He glanced at Qul’tuq. “I will not risk our lives if they delay much longer.”

“I wish they would at least come and give us their answer,” Qul’tuq spoke gently, “I’ve got knots in my stomach worrying they’ll say ’no’.”

“And our work here will be for naught.”

Qul’tuq exhaled through her nose and gave the empty streets another scan with her eyes. She followed the jagged paths up the hill, pausing on each glowing window, until her eyes reached the tall tower at the pinnacle of the town. The low-hanging clouds again half-obscured its top, leaving only a yellow-orange glow where the window would be.

And then, the glow was extinguished.

“Worf!” She grabbed his arm.

The two Klingon turned to watch the lights in all of the windows across town flicker and fade, and soon, the residents of Nahjom’s village entered the streets in silence. In a matter of moments all had reassembled in their town square, circling Worf and Qul’tuq at the bonfire.

Finally, Yamtek and Mara stepped forward, matching the emissaries in their stance and relative sternness.

“Our people have deliberated, and Mara and I have spoken during the night,” Yamtek announced solemnly. “We have lived our lives on Nahjom as our fathers and forefathers did; set apart, left on our own. We are strong,” he stressed, before his brows raised and he turned to his mate, “but we can still be strong if we choose what is best for our people.”

“And so,” Mara glanced at him before her eyes focused intently upon Qul’tuq, “we have decided to relocate.”

Qul’tuq breathed a sigh of relief as Worf straightened his stance. “Good,” Worf gave a curt nod. “I shall alert our ship to prepare for your transport.”

As Worf stepped out through the town gate to enter the shuttlecraft, Qul’tuq was left alone within the circle of Klingon. A day earlier, she would have felt out of place and nervous to be without Worf’s guidance. Today, she stood before the leaders of the Nahjom tribe with confidence.

“I know this was not easy to decide,” the green-eyed Klingon said gently.

Yamtek bowed his head as Mara’s brows furrowed.

“I still do not want to leave,” she said simply. “But if I am right, and we leave, we are still alive.” Her head dipped and her eyes glared sharply at the ground. “If I am wrong, and we stay... we die. Yamtek and I did not wish for those of our village to pay the price for our... disagreement,” she added, almost as a mumble.

Qul’tuq offered a short bow. “You have made your decision with honor. Your village should be proud of both of you.”

Mara’s eyes rose to meet Qul’tuq’s. For the first time since their meeting, the leading Klingon held a quiet respect within her eyes.

Worf appeared at the village gate. “We are ready to transport you. You may bring all belongings to our shuttle, and we will use our transporter to bring the rest of you aboard in segments.”

Yamtek shook his head, holding out empty hands. “We shall take nothing from Najhom. We will rebuild anew when we reach our new home.”

“But Yamtek and I wish to ride with you and Qul’tuq in the shuttle.” Mara took a step forward, only to glance back to her mate. “Or…  perhaps it is just me.”

Yamtek nodded and took a step to match her. “Yes. We wish to ride in the shuttle.”

The emissary nodded as Qul’tuq grinned beside him. “Understood.” He then gave a quick tap to the communications badge now secured to his armor. “Worf to Transporter room three. We are ready to begin transfer.”

“Aye, sir. Transporter ready.”

“Come,” Qul’tuq gestured to the leading pair. “When you’re ready, we can board the shuttle.”

Both Klingon looked to each other and nodded. Turning back to the emissary, Yamtek gave one last bow. “We are ready. Our new life awaits.”

Scene Notes

• Mission: success!