Gateways 07_ What Lay Beyond - Diane Carey [61]
He eyed the small animal. “And I see you’ve brought a friend,” he added, a hint of disapproval creeping into his sonorous voice.
Fluffy barked and wagged his tail.
“It’s a long story,” said Janeway, clearing her throat and trying to recover her usual decorum. “A very long story.”
“One which I and Starfleet Command will be very eager to hear,” said Picard.
Janeway took a breath, preparing for a debriefing, which, if she knew Picard, he’d want to hear immediately, if not sooner. Instead, he did something which took her completely by surprise.
“Whatever it is, it can wait until you’ve had a chance to freshen up and eat something.” She frowned and began to protest, but he held up a commanding hand. “I won’t hear otherwise. I’m certain that whatever journey you and this creature have been on, it’s been arduous and long.”
She stared at him. Her “journey,” or at least this most peculiar leg of it, had been approximately five minutes most of which had been spent on Picard’s own bridge. Mentally, she shrugged. Who was she to contradict Captain Picard on the bridge of the Enterprise?
“I’d consider it an honor if you would use my quarters,” Picard continued. “Take all the time you need to refresh yourself. I’ll meet you there in an hour or so for a bite to eat and I assure you I will be all ears, eager to hear about your adventures.” With that, he turned and resumed his seat. Will Riker was still standing beside her. With a grin, he made a mock bow.
“You’re almost legendary in this quadrant now, Captain Janeway,” said Riker. “I hope you’ll afford me the honor of escorting you to Captain Picard’s quarters?”
Janeway hesitated. She had no wish to appear discourteous, but she would have been much more comfortable sitting with Picard in his ready room, sipping coffee (he’d probably order that nasty Earl Grey tea he was so famous for drinking) and telling her fellow captain all about the gateway. Who knew how long it would be open? All the others had closed. Starfleet would certainly want to hear about them, and precious time was ticking by.
“Captain, I have no wish to appear ungrateful for your hospitality, but”
“Then don’t,” said Picard, a touch irritably. “Go to my quarters, have a bit of a rest and a bath, and I’ll meet you for dinner.”
“Captain Picard”
“Has spoken,” said Riker smoothly. “Trust me, you won’t do well to question him.” Playfully he extended his arm. “Come on. Put aside the trappings of command for a little while. After more than five years lost at sea, you could use a little break and some pampering Starfleet-style.”
Janeway was at a loss for words. There was no way she could continue contradicting Picard, certainly not in front of his crew. Finally, she nodded, and, uncomfortable with the gesture but not wishing to appear rude, took Riker’s arm. They entered the turbolift, Fluffy trotting obediently beside her. As the doors hissed closed, she kept wondering why Picard hadn’t debriefed her at once, especially after so extraordinary a materialization on his bridge. It was out of character for him.
But then, she had been gone a long time. She knew how people can and did change.
And frankly, a hot bath sounded wonderful.
“So what’s this about you meeting me before?” asked Riker, breaking her reverie.
“You were on my ship. Courtesy of one Q,” she said. Riker’s blue eyes widened, and he laughed. “That Q. Up to his old tricks, is he? I suppose he’s gotten bored with dour old Jean-Luc.”
Janeway raised an eyebrow at the familiar, almost condescending tone Riker used. She knew his reputation; “fun-loving” wouldn’t be an inaccurate term to describe him, but she had expected more respect from a first officer toward his captain, especially in front of someone who outranked him.
“You were a key witness in a trial,” she continued, trying to overlook Riker’s faux pas. “Q brought you to my ship in order to testify for his side. Afterward, he returned you and wiped your memory of the incident.”
That, she thought, ought to ruffle him. Instead, Riker laughed aloud. “Doesn’t that bother you? That