"I am grateful to you, Counselor Troi, for agreeing to see me on such short notice," Filio said as he sat down across from Deanna. They were inside a small conference room on the station.

"Dr. Filio, I would be happy to help you in any way I can."

"Redik and I spoke privately with Admiral Houston earlier today."

Deanna nodded. She was already aware of the meeting and was eager to hear all the details."

"I am not so sure anymore of my people's readiness for space exploration. I have wanted it so badly for a long time." Nervously, he brought his hand to his mouth. "It is difficult enough for me to accept your medical technologies. I was selected by my government as a prime delegate. How will all my colleagues react if and when they are introduced to your surgical methods?"

Deanna leaned forward and offered him a reassuring smile. "Coming to see me is a good first step," she said.

"I want to learn more about your medical procedures. I wish I could say that I could see myself beside one of your doctors, saving people's lives in ways I've never dreamed of before. It is difficult for me to see something that I have always viewed as evil--cutting into someone--as part of a life-saving procedure."

"It will take time. You must be willing and above all, you must be patient with yourself. Don't expect too much from yourself. The heads of the Federation understand the difficulties of integrating. That is why we have to go through this procedure before any race can be granted admittance."

"But even if we prove ourselves willing, how will the Riis bode on our future?"

"They are certainly of obvious concern. However, it is impossible for me to answer that question with complete certainty. As you know, it will require the complete cooperation of all parties involved."

As she answered, the Cromebian doctor's question, Deanna's dispute with her mother gnawed at her. It was time that she took her own advice she realized, and took the first step toward healing her relationship with her mother. Just as she could see the possibility of the Cromebians establishing a relationship with both the Riis and the Federation, she could now see the possibility of her continuing the mother/daughter relationship with Lwaxana as well as exploring further possibilities between her and Worf.

"Counselor," Filio said, interrupting her reverie, "thank you for setting my mind at ease. Whether my world wins the petition or not, I can now at least live with my own peace of mind." He stood and held out his hand to her. "Let me begin my slow transition by offering you one of your Federation handshakes."

Deanna brought her hand inside his, and as they shook hands, she sensed overwhelming gratitude and a strong feeling that could only be described as fellowship.

After the Cromebian left, Deanna paged her dear friend, Beverly, to ask if she was free for dinner. They met fifteen minutes later in one of the station's restaurants. While they ate, Deanna listened as Beverly disclosed her mixed feelings toward the Cromebians in general and Dr. Filio in particular.

"Well, no matter my opinion," she concluded. "It will all be decided by the heads of Starfleet in a couple of hours, and we will simply have to accept their judgment. I have always had difficulties accepting the Prime Directive in every situation without question. There are times when I feel that it is unethical to just sit by and do nothing. There are no such things as black and white. It looks good in a text book, quoting the Prime Directive as a general rule, but when we put it into practice, every encounter brings its own unique set of variables."

"I agree with you," Deanna replied, unable to stop thinking about her own situation. "This is certainly one of the most difficult encounters that we've dealt with. It is almost impossible to choose a side."

"I've carried on too much about the Cromebians," Beverly admitted. "I forgot to ask you how things are going with your mother."

"She's upset, because I didn't tell her about Worf sooner. And I'm beginning to understand her side of the issue. I should have told her sooner. I only hope that she will forgive me."

"One thing I've never doubted, Deanna, is your mother's love for you."

Picard stepped into the restaurant at that moment. After glancing around the room, he spotted them and walked over to their table. "I thought you would like to hear the news in person," he told them. "The Valiant has returned and Admiral Houston has called a conference for thirty minutes from now."

"Good," Beverly said. That gives me just enough time to prepare my statement. If you will excuse me, Deanna." As she stood, she nodded at the captain, saying "Jean-Luc," and exited the restaurant.

When she arrived in her sickbay a few minutes later, she found it almost empty. Only Dr. Selar and three patients occupied the room. "I have everything under control," Dr. Selar reassured her.

"That's good. Because I've come to write a report on the Cromebians, not to doctor anyone."

Raising an eyebrow, Dr. Selar returned to the task at hand.

Beverly no more than sat down at her console and instructed the computer to begin logging her report when Dr. Filio stepped into sickbay.

"Dr. Crusher, I hope I am not disturbing you," he said.

"Of course not," Beverly said. As she turned to face him, she flipped off her computer.

"I heard that the starship Valiant has returned and that our fate will be decided shortly. No matter which way it is decided, I want to offer you my gratitude."

"Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate your taking the time to tell me that."

He raised a hand and smiled nervously. "I don't want you to think that I'm trying to persuade you in any way. I know you will be presenting a final report to your people, and I understand your need to be completely honest and thorough in your evaluation of my behavior. I apologize for the trouble I caused you."

"Apology accepted."

He sighed heavily with relief. "Now I'll leave you alone, so you can--"

Before he could finish the sentence, Alyssa Ogawa stepped into the doorway, clutching her abdomen and moaning in pain. Dr. Selar, who was closest, reached her first. Dr. Filio rushed over to offer his aid, and together, they helped the pregnant woman to a biobed. By the time Beverly reached their side, Dr. Selar had already grabbed a medical tricorder and was running it over the patient.

"The baby is in cardiac arrest," Dr. Selar said. Recommend we begin a cesarian immediately."

"Agreed," Beverly replied, which could barely be heard over Alyssa's moans.

"Mark, I need Mark," the patient pleaded as she clutched Dr. Selar's hand. "Please get me my husband!"

The Vulcan nodded and paged Alyssa's husband with her commbadge.

"What is a cesarian?" Dr. Filio asked.

"One of our life-saving surgeries," Beverly replied quickly. "Now please step out of the way."

Filio did so awkwardly, and Beverly undid Alyssa's clothes to prepare her for the procedure. Dr. Selar filled a hypospray and administered it.

** * * *

As she walked down the corridor to her mother's guest quarters, Deanna gave herself a quick Betazoid tap behind the right ear to calm herself. "Here it goes," she said under her breath as she reached out to press the annunciator.

Come in, Little One, Lwaxana sent telepathically.

Her mother sounded pleasant enough, Deanna mused. She stepped into the quarters and found her mother sitting on the sofa facing her.

"I know why you're here, dear," Lwaxana said.

"Mother, I still need to say the words." Lwaxana held her arms out, and Deanna joined her on the sofa. "I'm sorry, Mother. You were right. I should have told you about Worf at least a couple of months ago. I've known at least that long that our feelings for each other were serious. I was afraid that telling you would somehow destroy the magic."

Lwaxana blanched and telepathically she sent, Oh Little One, really!

"I know, I know. Just hear me out for a minute. Every time you've come for a visit in the past, you have to admit that you've been pushy about trying to coax me to get married, settle down and have a family."

"And what is wrong with that?"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting it. It's always how you go about demanding it, pushing for it, suggesting that I would be better off married than furthering my career in Starfleet."

"I've never once told you that you should quit Starfleet."

Deanna sighed before responding. "Okay, maybe I exaggerate a little, but my point in coming here is not to continue arguing with you. I wanted to tell you that from now on, whatever happens between Worf and I, good or bad, I promise to not keep any of it secret from you. I'm trying to make a peace offering, Mother. Please don't make it difficult."

"Is he good in bed?"

"Mother!"

"He's Klingon. I'm sure he is." Lwaxana smiled broadly. "I'm delighted for you, if not a bit envious." She held her arms open wide. "Come to me, Deanna. Let us rejoice as mother and daughter, woman to woman."

Returning the huge smile, Deanna fell into her mother's arms where she remained for a long while.

*****

But I haven't gone through my cleansing ritual! Filio thought in horror as he began to watch the procedure. Yet he could not stop himself from looking on with fascination. He watched Dr. Crusher make a precise incision in the young pregnant woman's abdomen and had to hold his nausea at bay at the sight of the blood. Despite all his upbringing, he cold not look away.

Then the miracle occurred. Crusher lifted the screaming infant, and after wrapping it in a small blanket, placed it atop the young mother. She customarily asked Mark if he would like to cut the cord. Like many fathers before him, he declined the offer and chose to hold onto his wife's hand as Crusher severed the cord with her laser scalpel.

"Fascinating," Filio said as Beverly finished closing up the incision with her laser scalpel. "Utterly fascinating."

Beverly turned toward him and suddenly, as she saw the sincerity on his face, the words of her report to Admiral Houston were altering inside her mind.

*****

The away team members recounted their visit to Cromebia, with Dr. Crusher's seat conspicuously empty. She strolled in several minutes later, saying, "Sorry I'm late. I had a bit of an emergency." She then smiled. "I'm happy to announce that Alyssa Ogawa just gave birth to an eight pound, six ounce boy. "

Filio stepped through the doorway and added, "And it was incredible. Dr. Crusher performed a ce--"

"A cesarian," Beverly filled in. "Fortunately, mother and baby Matthew are doing fine."

"I'm happy to hear that," Admiral Houston responded. "Now, if you are ready, Doctor, I believe everyone here is ready to listen to your final input on the Cromebian petition for Federation membership."

"As you know, Admiral," Beverly began as she made her way around to the empty chair, "I originally felt a great deal of disdain toward Dr. Filio, but with a great deal of determination, he has put forth an effort to become objective about our medical technologies. Therefore, I would like to rescind my original recommendation that you terminate their petition for admittance. At this time, I would like to change my recommendation as following: I believe we should continue to observe and interact with the Cromebians. We should allow them time to adjust to the ideas of our technologies and even more fundamentally, our beliefs."

Houston nodded as she spoke. "Since you arrived late, Doctor, you did not hear Nevichi's recommendation. Basically, she is of the same opinion as you."

Beverly was a little surprised, but when she turned toward the Valiant's first officer, Nevichi nodded in acknowledgement.

"Are there any further comments anyone would like to make?" Houston's gaze passed from person to person and a serenity seemed to radiate from the group.

"I believe all has been said at this point, Admiral," Picard said.

"Very well, then," Houston said, standing. "I will be in my private office for the next hour or so, speaking with the heads of Starfleet. You will all have their decision as soon as it is made available to me. Dismissed."

The waiting proved most difficult for everyone. Worf and Deanna separated themselves from the group to allow Deanna to distance herself from the overwhelming mix of emotions.

Mij apprehensively approached Nevichi, his expression begging for her forgiveness. Their eyes locked in a stare for a long moment. Neither of them knew what the other was thinking or feeling. Finally, she compromised by taking a step toward him. That was all the reassurance he needed. The next second, they were in each other's arms in a firm embrace.

Lindenberg, Picard, and Riker went to one of the station's bars to have a couple synthols while they waited for the news.

Redik and Filio were understandably the most nervous of all. They could do little more than pace the corridor just outside the admiral's office.

Shortly after twenty-one hundred hours, Admiral Houston called everyone back to his conference room. "It is my great pleasure," he announced, "to inform you that Starfleet Headquarters has decided not to terminate the Cromebian petition for membership." Smiles broadened the faces of every person in the room. Before anyone could interrupt him, Houston raised a hand to let them know he wasn't done. "However, given the expected adjustments the Cromebians will have to make, they have decided to place them on a five-year probation. At the end of said time, the petition will be reevaluated and a final decision will be made."

An applause rang through the room. Both Cromebian delegates walked around the table to the admiral.

"I will spend the next five years showing you just how grateful I am," Filio promised. "I will make it my own personal mission to encourage my people to open their minds to new horizons."

"One day, years from now," Redik said, "when we are exploring the stars, I will tell the young Cromebians of the wonderful Starfleet officers who helped make our dreams a reality." He shed a single tear. "May this moment forever be remembered."

The End